CHAIRMAN Mike Davis has praised the Football Association after Sydenhams Wessex Premier outfit Hamworthy United were handed an FA Cup reprieve.

Hammers’ preliminary round victory over Andover Town 11 days ago was subsequently investigated by the FA after it emerged they had fielded an ineligible player.

In what Davis described as an “honest mistake”, Kane Daysh lined up and scored for Hammers in the 4-1 win while he was suspended over a matter involving his Sunday league club Bournemouth Electric.

Hammers could have been thrown out due to the administrative error but successfully pleaded their case to the FA who have ordered the tie to be restaged at the County Ground on Saturday.

The Wessex Premier rivals will again lock horns for the £1,925 in prize money and a trip to Southern League Bideford in the first qualifying round, with a date set for Tuesday.

Davis told the Daily Echo: “We think it is a very sensible outcome from our governing body. If they had put us through, Andover would have been upset and vice-versa. Now, we have both got a chance to go through.”

Midfielder Daysh will not be permitted to face Andover in the rematch.

Meanwhile, Hammers head to Verwood Town tonight as new boss Alan Lay takes charge of the Potters for the first time (7.45pm kick-off).