IPSWICH Athletic would be sitting top of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division now if they had not fielded Aaron Wintrup against Stowupland Falcons on September 12 when he was suspended.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Athletic would be sitting top of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division now if they had not fielded Aaron Wintrup against Stowupland Falcons on September 12 when he was suspended.

They have been deducted six points and find themselves instead in fifth place - six points behind leaders Old Newton with a better goal difference.

“It was our administration error,” admitted Athletic manager Jimmy Marjoram.

“As soon as we realised the following Monday we told the authorities.

“We have a small staff and have made a similar mistake. Hopefully we have learned our lesson.

“We have to take it on the chin, and we have games in hand on some teams above us.”

Athletic have no game this weekend because Achilles are 'replaying' their Suffolk Senior Cup game tomorrow away to Lakenheath that was abandoned because of a bad injury.

Athletic, who beat Falcons 9-2, have also been fined by Suffolk FA and the SIL and they may have to replay the game depending on league positions later in the season.

Table-toppers Old Newton's title credentials are likely to face a severe examination at Westerfield tomorrow while second-placed Felixstowe United travel to reigning champions Grundisburgh.

Coplestonians, fresh from their 6-1 success against Stowmarket Town in the Suffolk Senior Cup last Saturday, will be looking to improve on their fourth-from-bottom league position when they take on Capel Plough, who are one place and one point above them.