THIS season's AM Print and Copy-sponsored Spring Cup final will be between Castle Combe Reserves and Seend United Reserves just as it was a month ago.
After fielding an ineligible player in their 5-1 semi-final win over Bradford United Reserves on March 20, Combe earned a reprieve following a ruling by a commission for the league at a hearing requested by the Division Three club that the tie had to be replayed.
The rules do not automatically mean elimination from the competition for such an offence.
In a quickly arranged re-match, Combe emerged 4-2 winners after extra-time. Chris Rawlings and a Scott Evans penalty put Combe on their way again but an own goal and a Russell Francis strike forced extra-time. In the second period of extra time manager Shawn House and Evans clinched victory.
The Division Three title all but belongs to Seend United Reserves who almost folded two years ago. Nigel Hall's first season in charge has landed promotion after his side's 6-1 repeat win over The Stiffs.
A draw in Seend's final game against Bradford Reserves at The Lye will make them outright champions. Stiffs' deputy keeper Leigh Trainer was beaten after just three minutes by Frank Rogers whose 13th minute free kick rebounded off the bar for Mark James to double Seend's advantage.
The former Heytesbury and Broughton Gifford striker struck again from the spot when Chris Bishop was brought down and promotion looked assured when Bishop's effort was helped in by Simeon Bush.
The restart was anything but comfortable for Seend with evergreen Nick Bush missing a fine chance before heading home in the 53rd minute. Nathan Litterick also went close with a superb effort before Stiffs' excellent response was ended by Rob O'Harrow making it 5-1. Both sides missed chances in the closing stages before Bishop accepted a gift in stoppage time.
Runners-up spot is still undecided with Dilton Marsh's vital game against Apetito postponed. Dilton, who hope to move to the village for next season, must win all four remaining matches and overturn a three-goal inferior goal difference to pip Combe for silverware.
Manager Stuart Irons donned the keeper's jersey in the absence of Kevin Challis as Broughton Gifford made it 25 matches unbeaten in a 5-0 triumph at Freshford United.
A second half hat-trick from Simon Price following a Chris Stiles' opener and one from Steve Jacques all but ended the one-year reign of champions Frome Town Sports.
Freshford's final game now leaves their top-flight future in the hands of their fellow strugglers.
After a 10-1 humiliation by Frome in mid-week, The Deverills displayed more character but still conceded a double to their neighbours Heytesbury in a 4-3 defeat. Darren Munro and Aaron Stevens wiped out strikes from Richard Wyatt and Darren Guy who with Richard Daly re-established Heytesbury's two-goal cushion before Scott Laidlaw reduced Deverills' arrears again.
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