Guilty Vics are thrown out of Gold Cup Final to add to league woe

Having lost out in a close Hampshire Premier Division title race to Alton Town, Vics have been found guilty by the IoW Football Association of fielding an ineligible player in their 2-1 semi-final win over near-neighbours Cowes Sports.

Unbeknown to the Vics, the paperwork for their new signing Alex Inglethorpe from Leatherhead had not gone until April 29. By that time they had already played him in the Gold Cup and in one Hampshire League game for which they have now had three points deducted.

Vics secretary John Stone explained it was a genuine mistake. He said: "Alex's contract ran out at Leatherhead in May and they were going to release him. We were under the impression that everything had been sorted out, but what we didn't know was that their secretary was ill and hadn't been able to do the paperwork."

The IoWFA said they were satisfield Vics had genuinely believed Inglethorpe was clear to play, but said: "The overwhelming evidence compiled by the IoWFA, with the help of the Hampshire League, is that the player was not eligible because he was not a registered player."

As well as being removed from the competition, Vics were fined the minimum sum of £5.

The final, which should have been played last Thursday, has been rearranged for this Saturday (May 18, 3pm) at Cowes Sports' Westwood Park home. The reinstated Yachtsmen face a Newport XI.

Havant & Waterlooville intend to go back with an improved bid for Newport's wantaway goalkeeper Colin Matthews.

The Hawks' original offer was well short of Port's asking price but H&W co-boss Mick Jenkins said: "We're keen to land Colin and will be looking to increase that." They face competition from Eastern Division outfit Bashley who are also interested in Port winger Dave Wakefield.

AFC Totton, who finished third in the Jewson Wessex League, have made their first summer signing. Young left-sided defender Pete Clark has moved down the road from neighbours BAT.