Two Northern Premier League playoff hopefuls handed points deductions

Two Northern Premier League playoff hopefuls have been handed points deductions this week ahead of their last game of the season.

Matlock Town have been handed a one point deduction for playing an ineligible player who was subject to an FA disciplinary suspension.

The offence happened when the club made the trip to South Shields in a match they lost 3-1 on the 22nd of February and the 1-1 draw at FC United of Manchester on the 26th of February says Ian Richardson via the club website.

The case was heard by the Northern Premier League on Wednesday with Matlock also receiving a £100 fine and a point taken off.

“It was down to an error and we apologise for any inconvenience caused and also to our manager and team plus of course all our supporters who have backed us magnificently throughout the season” said a Gladiators spokesman.

Matlock will therefore retain their fifth position in the table ahead of Saturday’s final match at home to third placed Warrington Town. Bamber Bridge are in close pursuit of the Gladiators in sixth, now just one point adrift of Matlock.

So the simple equation is that Matlock must still equal Bamber Bridge’s result to gain a place in the play-offs with Brig hosting Nantwich Town in their final game.

Matlock could also still end up in third spot which would mean a home tie in the play-off semi finals against whoever finishes fourth. A fifth placed finish would almost certainly see them travel to South Shields who need a near miracle to beat Buxton to the league title.

Meanwhile, Marine of the Northern Premier League – West Division have also been deducted points for fielding an ineligible player earlier this season.

The club say: “Following a disciplinary hearing held on Wednesday 20th April by the Northern Premier League the club confirm that a three point deduction and £100 fine has been levied.

“Marine were charged with fielding an ineligible player in the match v Kidsgrove Athletic on Tuesday 12th October 2021 which the Mariners won 3-0.

“Club officials are frustrated at the length of time the FA has taken in dealing with this matter but accept, with regret, the decision of the NPL panel.”

Social media users reacted as the two Northern Premier League playoff hopefuls get handed points deductions…

ON MATLOCK

Craig Cantrill: Come on boys we can do this. It’s a mistake and I’m sure we all make them let a do this together and grow stronger from this!!! #COYG #inphillowetrust #WILDONES

Ben Taylor: Could of been worse, if it was the EFL you’d probably of got a 54 point deduction every season for the next 10 😂

Derek Page: We just got to believe and go over the final line we can do it. so let’s get behind the lad’s on Saturday so it’s now up to lad’s on the pitch to progress on to playoffs they no what’s they got to do so C O You blues we can do it. we cannot complain its best season we have had four years but would be a shame for us to miss this opportunity so let’s go four it

Neil Hopkinson: Unbelievable Jeff 🤔

Jon Sellors: Could have been worse. We are still in control of our own destiny. Let’s just beat Warrington & see what that leaves us. Onwards. Forza Matlock 💙

ON MARINE

@RussWWFC: As with every situation like this, why the hell do they not make clubs submit teams online pre-match. Then they can be sure who is available and who is not. Probably the same reason it’s taken six months to reach a decision – the FA couldn’t organise a booze up in a brewery.

@StuMcStu: Piss poor by the club really, to potentially ruin a season due to an admin error? That said the amount of time it’s taken to inform the club of the decision is also ridiculous. Good job we’re playing Leek so our fate is still in our own hands.

@amandamanning8: I think whoever is ‘responsible’ for the admin error will already feel bad enough – but at the end of the day that person is a volunteer giving their own time for free.

@SammySteele90: Never mind chaps, simple clerical error I suppose 🤷🏻‍♂️

@LeeSharps316: FFS lads, good job it keeps you in the play off places

@samcufc79: @NorthernPremLge Understand that rules are rules and all that, but how can Kidsgrove not get any benefit out of this?? We were beaten by a team containing a player that shouldn’t have played. Not a level playing field.

@martinjobling: Any explanation from the @FA and @NorthernPremLge as to why other clubs haven’t been deducted points for the same offence? The lack of one only leads people to draw their own conclusions, none of which reflect well on the parties involved.

@trevk37: Another cracking performance from a County FA and they wonder why they get shouted at, near on 6 months to make a decision,unbelievable Jeff! 🤦‍♂️

@CallumChadwick_: October!? Incredible it’s taken the FA that long.

@mikesm24: Feel for the secretary who’ll have one of the hardest and most time consuming jobs in Non League as they all do. The FA expectations of volunteer club secretaries are frankly ridiculous and people are only human. Archaic processes and demanding systems don’t help anyone either!

@kieranjcrossman: Another team deducted points for fielding an ineligible player whilst Liversedge continue to get away with it. @NorthernPremLgearen’t fit for purpose.

@JamesLeary7: FA summed up in one decision. FA system which alerts to suspensions creates two profiles for same player incorrectly. Club inform FA of error. FA tell club player shouldn’t have played if their system had been correct. FA take 6 months to work it out.

@PurpleJoe87: Incredible timing! Well done the league 🤣🤣🤣🤣