| The F.A. have announced AFC Sudbury must face Colne in a single match knockout after they were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in the semi-final second leg tie. |
Twelve days ago it was heartbreak for our local North West Counties League rivals as they failed to overturn a 3-2 first leg deficit against the Eastern Counties League outfit, despite outplaying them for the majority of the game and creating many more chances over the 90 minutes. Only an inspired performance by former Crewe Alexandra stopper Dean Greygoose prevented them from taking their rightful place in the final.
 | The F.A. Vase: Could it still have Colne's name written on it? |
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However, a tip-off from an unknown source in the days following the game led the F.A. to investigate the appearance in the match of AFC Sudbury midfielder Terry Rayner. They subsequently found that Rayner, re-signed by manager Gary Harvey in February, played for Maldon Town away to Buckingham Town in a second round Vase match on 22nd November last year, in which his team lost 4-1.
Colne were informed of the investigation right from the off, and manager Nigel Coates insisted that their victorious opponents - who had fortuitously held out for a 1-1 draw at Holt House to claim a narrow 4-3 aggregate win - should be kicked out of the competition with the Reds taking their place in the showpiece final at St. Andrews instead.
The F.A. have decided against that particular course of action, with F.A. spokesman David Davies announcing yesterday that a one-off game between the two teams will decide who gains the right to take on Winchester City next month.
As a further blow to Colne, the match will not be played on their own ground, but at a neutral venue. Kidsgrove Athletic's Clough Hall ground has been provisionally chosen as the venue, which is likely to take place next Saturday, the 10th April, with a kick-off time of 3pm. Confirmation of this is still awaited, but we should be able to give you further information tomorrow.
nelsonfc.com attempted to contact Leader Times Newspapers journalist and renowned Colne supporter Phil Simpson to hear his reaction to the news, but his secretary told us he had taken the day off to go hotel hunting in Birmingham. |
