Mulbarton Wanderers are “deeply upset” after being told they must replay their FA Cup qualifying tie with Woodford Town because of a referee’s error.
Mulbarton won 2-1 at Essex Senior League side Woodford in the second qualifying round on Saturday but the home team then lodged a protest with the Football Association following a decision in the 30th minute.
Woodford scored a penalty but the referee disallowed the goal for encroachment by a number of Woodford players and awarded Mulbarton an indirect free-kick.
Law 14 in the laws of the game, external states that the referee should have ordered the penalty to be retaken.
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.
This time Mulbarton will host the game on Tuesday, 29 September, with the tie to be decided on the night.
Mulbarton, who play in the Isthmian League North, said that 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 will host Gloucester City of the Southern League Premier Division South in the third qualifying round on Saturday, 3 October.
The seventh-tier side initially thought they would be visiting Mulbarton so 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 that was ordered to be replayed, external 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.
