Mulbarton Wanderers ‘deeply upset and disappointed’ after FA Cup replay order

Mulbarton Wanderers say they are “deeply upset and disappointed” after the Football Association ordered their FA Cup second qualifying round tie with Woodford Town to be replayed.

The two sides will meet again at Mulbarton’s Abode Arena on Tuesday with the winners progressing to the third qualifying round and a home tie against Gloucester City.

It comes just five days after Mulbarton appeared to have secured their place in the next round with Nathan Stones’ dramatic stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory last weekend.

But Woodford protested over an incident in the 30th minute after they were awarded a penalty which was scored, only for the referee to disallow the goal and award Mulbarton an indirect free-kick for encroachment.

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Incorrect application

A statement from Mulbarton on Thursday said: “Following the conclusion of our FA Cup second qualifying round fixture versus Woodford Town on Saturday 19th September, a protest was lodged with the FA by Woodford Town regarding a decision made by the referee during the 30th minute of the match.

“The referee awarded Woodford a penalty kick which was scored.

“The referee then blew his whistle and awarded Mulbarton Wanderers an indirect free kick due to the encroachment of a number of Woodford players into the penalty area.

“This was an incorrect application of the competition rules under Law 14. In these circumstances, the referee should have allowed the goal to stand or ordered a retake.

“In response to Woodford’s protest, the FA initially stated that a protest for misapplication of the rules in this regard was not permissible. We concur with the FA’s initial findings.

“However, following further objection and protest from Woodford, the FA referred the matter to a sub-committee of the Professional Game Board.

“After seeking legal advice ahead of the meeting of the sub-committee, the club made robust representations to the FA setting out why the result should stand.

“Today, following the meeting of the sub-committee, we have been informed that it has been ordered that the second qualifying round fixture is to be replayed at the Abode Arena on Tuesday 29th September.”

Technical error

Woodford Town said in its statement: “The club raised concerns regarding the application of Law 14 after a penalty awarded to Woodford was scored but subsequently disallowed, with an indirect free-kick awarded to the opposition for encroachment.

“The matter was subsequently reviewed by an FA sub-committee, with correspondence and video footage from Woodford Town, information from Mulbarton Wanderers, observations from the match officials and comments from the FA referees team and head of refereeing all considered.

“The sub-committee concluded that a technical error had been made by the referee, determining that the correct outcome under Law 14 should have been either the awarding of the goal or the ordering of a penalty retake.”

Law 14 states that players other than the penalty taker and goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area until the kick is taken.

However, encroachment by an attacking player only leads to action if it clearly impacts the penalty taker, or if the encroaching player subsequently becomes involved in play and prevents the defending team from scoring, attempting to score or creating a goal-scoring opportunity.

Integrity of the game

“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,” Mulbarton added in their statement.

“The decision made by the sub-committee is final and binding and there is no right of appeal.”

There is precedent for matches being ordered to be replayed because of a refereeing error.

An FA Vase tie between Wythenshawe and Holker Old Boys was also replayed last season after a referee’s error during a penalty shootout.

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