Islavale reeling after 'honest mistake' from league secretary changes cup final picture
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
ISLAVALE have been left reeling with an "honest mistake" having led to the club being on the brink of a cup exit.
'Vale announced a couple of weeks ago that they had reached the final of the Elginshire Cup – after being told by League Secretary Chris Auton that the group stage was decided by head-to-head record.
However, the club has now been informed that the cup is decided on goal difference – meaning they are on the brink of exiting the competition unless a series of results go in their favour.
North Region Junior FA secretary Chris Auton apologised for the error, which he admitted was his own.
"I've made an honest mistake," he said. "Islavale asked if it was head-to-head and I thought it was. But I checked the rule book and it's goal difference.
"I've held my hands up to the mistake. It's my first season as secretary and any mistakes have been honest ones."
Islavale believe the competition has been compromised as they fielded a weakened team for their final match against Dufftown thinking nothing was on the line. They called the decision "poor".
A statement from the club's secretary said: "Islavale are disappointed not to be in the final of the Elginshire Cup despite being informed by North Region that they had qualified.
"The secretary of the club emailed the region a few weeks back asking what happens if two teams finish level on points in the group, which was a big possibility.
"The secretary of the Vale was informed that it would go down head to head if two teams were level.
"After beating Elgin, the Vale had 10 points, the same as Forres but having beating them in group earlier. The Vale knew Dufftown could still top the group, but knew they would be second best at least.
"On that day the North Region posted on Facebook saying congratulations to Islavale for making the final.
"So with Dufftown to face in Vale’s last cup game, they felt it wasn’t an important game as they had qualified and so had couple players missing.
"After the Dufftown game, on Wednesday evening, the region sent out an email saying that since head-to-head was stated Islavale would play either Dufftown, Burghead or Forres in the final.
"However, by time Thursday morning came round the management committee had changed their mind and now said that we had not reached a cup final.
"It's disappointing for all as we were in a cup final. It's a poor decision."
Islavale can still qualify for the cup final – against Forres Thistle at Logie Park in Forres on May 14 – if Dufftown avoid defeat against Burghead Thistle and then fail to beat Whitehills.
