A TEAM of Winchester schoolboy footballers has been reinstated after being thrown out of the Tyro League and an associated cup final.

The Littleton Under-15s were one of three teams expelled by the league following the submission of false results.

Littleton's recent game against Hedge End couldn't be played because Hedge End were unable to field a full team.

The Littleton manager, Steve King, was advised by his Hedge End counterpart to submit a 1-nil winning scoreline as it would have been impossible to rearrange the game.

"They said it would save complications and in any case no important league placings were at stake," said Steve.

"I accept that we shouldn't have done that, but it does go on sometimes when it's at the end of a season and players and pitches just aren't available," he added.

Hedge End made the same arrangement with Testwood when they were again unable to field a side, but the Tyro League got wind of what was happening and expelled all three teams from the league without holding a hearing into the background.

Littleton were due to play the final of the Trophyman Under 15 Cup but were also thrown out of that competition.

The league replaced them with Itchen Tyro, who'd been beaten by Littleton in the quarter finals.

"We appealed to the Hampshire FA against being thrown out of both competitions and they agreed that the Tyro League hadn't acted in the correct manner by not holding a hearing or offering us an appeal," said Mr King.

"So we've been reinstated to the league, along with Testwood, and the cup final has been declared null and void.

"We will now play against Itchen Tyro in a revised final.

"I'm pleased it has worked out OK as the Tyro League had punished a set of lads who'd been playing together for the past four years.

"But I don't think we'll submit any incorrect scores in future!" he added.