The first-ever all-York final of the North Riding County Cup has been put in jeopardy following an allegation which could see Nestl Rowntree kicked out of the competition.

It has been confirmed that York City's Bootham Crescent ground will host the final on Wednesday, April 4.

However, just who will be playing in the game is now in the balance after it was alleged that the West Yorkshire League champions, and past winners of the cup, played an ineligible player in the semi-final 1-0 victory over Kirkbymoorside.

County FA secretary Mark Jarvis did not name the player in question but said : "There has been an allegation that Nestl Rowntree fielded a cup-tied player, who had turned out for another team in the earlier rounds. The competitions committee will hear evidence at a meeting on Monday, when a decision will be made."

York Leeper Hare League outfit Bishopthorpe United won the other semi-final against Edgehill to set up what would have been - and could still be - a dream meeting with their cross-city rivals.

As reported, Bishops had entered the competition by mistake, believing the standard was too high, but since then embarked on a glory run all the way to the final.

Manager Jeff Morrow is a former Nestl player and is still pally with their boss Jim Collis, while many of the players on either side also know each other. Friendly banter between the two began immediately after their semi-final victories last month, and both clubs also asked for the game to be played at City's Football League ground.

But Jarvis added: "At the moment we do not know whether Nestl or Kirkbymoorside will contest the final against Bishopthorpe."

Updated: 10:21 Friday, March 02, 2001