PURTON have become the victim of a clerical error as they were thrown out of the Wiltshire Cup.

The Reds had been set to travel to Laverstock & Ford this afternoon in the second round of the cup but that has been taken away from them and Marlborough have been re-instated.

The decision has come after James Griffin was sent off in Purton’s game with Carterton on, Saturday, September 20.

The club did not receive any confirmation from the Hellenic League that the player was suspended and played him in the cup match against Marlborough on Saturday, October 11.

As a result of fielding an ineligible player Wiltshire FA has taken the step to remove Justin Miller’s side from the competition.

“Griffin was sent off on September 20 and by October 4 his suspension should have started, but no paperwork was received so I took no action,” said club secretary Alan Eastwood.

The club made it through to the semi-final last season and Miller is disappointed that his side will not have the chance to go one better this season.

“We basically played a player because we had no notification from the league, then we played another league match and then they notified us that he was suspended,” said Miller.

“It is massively disappointing.

“If we had had the information through we probably would have looked at maybe appealing against it.

“The Wiltshire FA’s hands are tied, they have to go by the letter of the law so no criticism of them from our point of view.

“Now we have to wait to see if we get deducted any points as well from the Hellenic League.

“We did well last year and reached the semi-final, so it would have been nice to have at least had the opportunity to have a run in it but what can you do, it is disappointing from no real fault of our own.”