Woodley United have been reinstated into the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.

They were beaten 2-0 at Thatcham in their quarter-final tie last month, but the Kingfishers have now been booted out of the competition as they fielded an ineligible player.

Gareth Thomas, the former Hungerford and Highmoor Ibis player, joined them in January, but his signing came after the date of the original tie in December and that is against the competition rules.

There were two postponements due to frozen and waterlogged pitches before the tie eventually took place on February 19, when Thomas scored Thatcham’s opening goal.

It appeared a genuine mistake, but after being made aware of it, the Berks & Bucks were left with no alternative than to disqualify the Waterside Park club.

So Woodley will now play Southern League Premier Division play-off chasers Chesham United at home in the semi-finals, with the winners facing Milton Keynes Dons or Slough Town in the final.

It does, of course, add to Woodley’s lengthening back-log of fixtures. They still have seven home Hellenic League games to play at Rivermoor Stadium along with ties in the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup and the Reading Invitation Senior Cup, plus now the B&B Senior Cup.

And the ground-sharing club have to accommodate them alongside at least six Highmoor Ibis league and cup matches.

Relegation-threatened Woodley’s latest two postponements came against Ascot United last Saturday and Highworth on Monday, with a waterlogged pitch to blame on both occasions.

This Saturday, James Anderson’s men are scheduled to host Tuffley United, followed on Monday (7.45pm ko) by a Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup second-round tie against Brackley Town Saints.

Yesterday (Wednesday) the Rivermoor pitch was described as playable, but further rain is forecast before the weekend.

Highmoor Ibis are due to visit league leaders Highworth on Saturday and they return to Wiltshire on Wednesday (7.45pm ko) for a third-round Supplementary Cup tie at Division 1 West side Pewsey Vale.

Like Woodley, Highmoor are battling for survival in the Premier Division, but have shown much improved form in their last two games.

They defeated Brackley Town Saints 3-2 wth Mitchell Parker scoring twice and Anthony White the other.

Both strikers have rejoined the club following spells with Hellenic League rivals Flackwell Heath and Thatcham Town respectively.

Highmoor followed up that much-needed win by holding Longlevens to a goalless draw, enabling them to keep a rare clean sheet.

The signing of young keeper James Hilson has also given the club a boost in their bid to climb away from the relegation zone.