Date for Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division play-off final between Newmarket Town and Mulbarton Wanderers still to be decided

Newmarket Town’s wait to contest the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division Play-Off Final is set to be extended.

After beating Dereham Town in the semi-finals late last month, the Jockeys had been due to host Thetford Town for the right to be promoted to Step 4 over the May bank holiday weekend.

However, having subsequently been found to have fielded a suspended player in their own semi-final victory over Mulbarton Wanderers, Thetford were expelled from the competition.

But – in a fresh twist – the Brecklanders were reinstated after a successful appeal was lodged with the Football Association, only to then lose their replayed clash against Mulbarton on Tuesday night 2-1.

Yet, the saga will not end this weekend due to all of the clubs involved citing a lack of player availability, as well as Newmarket’s pitch undergoing maintenance work during the early part of next week.

Thurlow Nunn League chairman Peter Hutchings said: “We’re trying to work with the clubs to find a convenient date.

“Newmarket, Thetford and Mulbarton all cited a lack of player availability with end-of-season trips so the final will not be played on May 18.

“We’re currently looking at other dates and hopefully we’ll have confirmation soon.”

For Newmarket, the concern will be that whenever the final is eventually played, they will have lost their end-of-season momentum.

Michael Shinn’s men finished the regulation campaign unbeaten in seven – winning six – before getting the better of Dereham in the semis.

Shinn said: “Whenever we end up playing we’ll prepare the best we can under the circumstances.

“It’s not been handled great and we still don’t know a date. It’s holiday season and players are not around.

“We had some good momentum but we’re still confident we can get over the line.”