SPARE a thought for the good men and true of AFC Hoxne reserves that finished runners up in the Fourth Division of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL but cannot be promoted.

FOOTBALL: Spare a thought for the good men and true of AFC Hoxne reserves that finished runners up in the Fourth Division of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL but cannot be promoted. This is because those considered better players than themselves – members of the first team – found themselves relegated to Division Three.

Champions AFC Brickmakers and Claydon reserves are definitely promoted from Division Four with fourth-placed Coddenham also joining them subject to annual general meeting approval.

League chairman Keith Norton presented Grundisburgh with the Senior Division championship trophy last weekend with Achilles runners-up and Ipswich Athletic third.

It was management committee members Mary Ablett and Iain Smith who did the honours for top dogs Leiston St Margarets in Division One with Wickham Market joining them in senior football next term.

Other ups and downs confirmed on the last Saturday of the season last weekend saw AFC Crowley draw 4-4 at Sporting 87 to deny their hosts promotion from Division Two.

Bramford United’s 6-2 victory over Great Blakenham saw them move into the key second position on goal difference from Benhall St Mary and Sporting. It also meant that Bramford United reserves will move from Division Four to Intermediate B for next season.

AFC Hoxne’s cause was not helped by having three points deducted for using an ineligible player in their match on April 2.

Ipswich Athletic became Intermediate A champions after beating Saxmundham Sports 2-0 last midweek and league vice-chairman Alan McDougall presented them with their trophy.

Saxmundham had already been relegated and last Saturday they were joined by Framlingham Town with the two teams having been promoted together last season.

Results went against Framlingham in the last week and the final table is the only one all season where they have occupied a relegation place – they headed the table at the beginning of the year!

The three promoted teams from Intermediate B are the three teams relegated from Intermediate A at the end of last season. After winning their final 14 matches East Bergholt were confirmed champions and presented with their trophy by Eric Dickerson.

Capel Plough and Stanton are the other two promoted teams following a see-saw last few games. Stonham Aspal and Wickham Market missed out on promotion by goal difference

Ian Smillie presented Bildeston Rangers with the Division Three trophy after a comprehensive 9-2 win at St Clement’s Hospital.

The third relegation spot remains undecided as Willis’ 5-2 win over Woolverstone United has triggered a ‘replay’ tomorrow of their match with Coplestonians A.

Coplestonians fielded an ineligible player in the original fixture and victory for Willis will see them saved and Woolverstone relegated.

Felixstowe Harpers’ 1-0 victory over Trimley Red Devils reserves in the key Division Five match saw them promoted over their opponents. It is their second promotion in two seasons with the SIL.

Old Newton A’s defeat at home to champions Westerfield A confirmed their relegation.

Sproughton Sports reserves were presented with the Division Six trophy by fixtures secretary David Mayes following a single goal victory in a tense match at Shotley.

The goal came 10 minutes from time and relegated Cedars Park reserves and their watching contingent to second place.

The third promotion place went to newcomers FC Adhara after a 5-0 win against Halesworth reserves. The result meant that fellow new club Sproughton United fell to fourth place.