Mulbarton Wanderers have been ordered to replay their FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Woodford Town after the Football Association found that a referee made a technical error during the original match. Mulbarton won 2-1 at Essex Senior League side Woodford on Saturday, but the tie must now be replayed.
The controversy centred on a decision in the 30th minute. Woodford scored a penalty, but the referee disallowed the goal because of encroachment by a number of Woodford players and instead awarded Mulbarton an indirect free-kick. Law 14 states that the penalty should have been retaken. Woodford lodged a protest with the FA after the game.
The FA initially said that a protest for misapplication of the rules was not permissible. The matter was then reviewed by an FA sub-committee, which found there had been a technical error by the referee and ordered the match to be replayed. Mulbarton will host the replay on Tuesday, 29 September, with the tie to be decided on the night.
Mulbarton, who play in the Isthmian League North, said the decision is “final and binding and there is no right of appeal”. The eighth-tier side from Norfolk added: “The club is deeply upset and disappointed by this decision, the impact that it will have upon our football club, and the potential wider implications regarding the finality of results for any FA Cup match in the future played by any team and the integrity of the game as a whole.”
Redbridge-based Woodford, who play in the ninth tier, said: “Woodford Town FC would like to thank the FA for its thorough consideration of the matter, and for reaching a decision that ensures the tie can be concluded in accordance with FA Cup rules.”
The winners of the replay will host Gloucester City of the Southern League Premier Division South in the third qualifying round on Saturday, 3 October. Gloucester City, the seventh-tier side, initially thought they would be visiting Mulbarton. They said: “We understand that this situation will be frustrating and disappointing for our supporters, particularly those who have already made plans around the scheduled fixture. We share that frustration.” They added: “We thank all of our supporters for their patience and understanding while the situation is resolved.”
A non-league fixture in 2006 is thought to be the first in English football to be ordered to be replayed because of a referee’s error. That was also when a successful penalty should have been retaken. An FA Vase tie was also replayed last season after a referee’s error over a penalty shootout.