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Rangers sweating on BFA ruling

Southampton Rangers coach Jomar Wilkinson

Southampton Rangers’ victory over St David’s in the FA Cup last weekend has been embroiled in controversy after it emerged second-half substitute Najiyah Raynor was not listed on their teamsheet.

Rangers won the match 4-2, but Raynor’s name was apparently added only after he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute.

Referee Tracy Adams and match commissioner Zane Stowe were both informed by Jomar Wilkinson, the Rangers coach, that Raynor’s name had been put on the teamsheet.

The Bermuda Football Association will make a ruling after receiving the reports from the officials, although it is not known whether St David’s have lodged an appeal.

Sergio Goater, the St David’s coach, confirmed he had been told the player’s name had been added to the teamsheet and is now waiting for the BFA to determine Rangers’ fate.

“They told me what happened; they didn’t say we have to lodge an appeal,” Goater said. “It is out of my hands; the match commissioner will have to answer to the BFA. It’s nothing to do with me.

“My team was beaten, so I’m not looking for ways to try to win the game. That’s on the authorities to make a decision based on what happened. I stayed as far away as possible; I’ll let the authorities make a decision.”

Rangers, who were the losing finalists last season, will be one of just two First Division teams in the quarter-final draw next week, if the result stands.

Wilkinson said after his team’s win that they were looking for another good run in the competition to add to what they hope will be a successful push for promotion.

Wilkinson was at the centre of a similar controversy four years ago when his Dandy Town side beat Robin Hood in the Friendship Trophy final, but were then stripped of the title after it was discovered that Town’s substitute Kevin Hurdle was not listed on the teamsheet.

“We were beaten fair and square,” Goater added. “I’m not looking for a way to get into the next round.

“However, if that is the situation that has presented itself, then the officials have to do their job. My club president [Mikkail Crockwell] was playing in the match and the vice-president [Eugene Ball] was sitting on the bench.”

The teams will meet again in the First Division on Sunday at the same venue. Rangers, the unbeaten league leaders, won the first match in September 2-0.

Attempts yesterday to gain clarification from the BFA were unsuccessful.