Mulbarton Wanderers ordered to replay FA Cup win after referee misapplied encroachment rule

Mulbarton Wanderers have been ordered to replay their FA Cup second qualifying round victory over Woodford Town after the Football Association ruled that the referee misapplied the laws of the game during the original fixture on 19 September. The Isthmian League North side won 2-1 at Woodford’s Abode Arena but must now contest the tie again on 29 September.

The controversy centres on a penalty Woodford scored on the half-hour mark. The referee disallowed the goal and awarded Mulbarton an indirect free-kick after several Woodford players encroached into the box — a decision that contradicts the laws of the game, which state the official should either allow the goal to stand or order a retake depending on the degree to which the encroachment affected play. Woodford went ahead before half-time but were eventually pegged back, losing 2-1.

Woodford lodged a formal protest with the FA, which initially ruled that a protest on the grounds of misapplication of the rules was not permissible. After further objection from Woodford, however, the matter was referred to a sub-committee of the Professional Game Board, which ultimately ordered the replay.

Mulbarton published a statement expressing their frustration. “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,” it read. “The decision made by the sub-committee is final and binding and there is no right of appeal.”

The club also noted that they had sought legal advice and made “robust representations” to the FA before the sub-committee meeting, arguing the original result should stand.

For Mulbarton, the stakes are significant. Advancing to the third qualifying round would represent the club’s best-ever FA Cup run, and the reigning Norfolk Senior Cup champions had already been drawn at home to Gloucester City in the next stage before the replay was ordered.

Woodford, meanwhile, are handed a second chance to match their run from last season, when the ninth-tier side reached the third qualifying round before losing 1-0 at home to St Albans City.