Unprecedented in the FA Cup: Match to Be Replayed Over Referee Error

During the international break, with the Nations League fixtures on, several FA Cup ties were played in England.

Lower-league sides had the chance to play their respective ties in the oldest national cup competition in the world.

Among them was the tie between Woodford Town, who play in the Essex Senior League, and Mulbarton Wanderers, who play in Division One North of the Isthmian League. The match was played on September 19, with the visitors winning 2-1. However, due to a referee’s error, the match will have to be replayed.

Woodford Town lodged a complaint with the FA in recent days over a decision the referee made in the 30th minute. Woodford scored from a penalty, but the referee disallowed the goal because of encroachment by several home players.

Immediately afterwards, the referee awarded a free kick to the opposition and made the error. Under the rules, the referee should have either ordered the penalty to be retaken or allowed the goal to stand.

After an initial rejection of the appeal, the case was referred to an FA subcommittee, which ordered the tie to be replayed on September 29. This time it will be played at Mulbarton’s stadium.