FA orders Mulbarton and Woodford to replay FA Cup tie after penalty error

Mulbarton Wanderers have been ordered to replay their FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Woodford Town after a Football Association review found that the referee had misapplied the rules at a penalty. BBC Sport reported that Mulbarton's 2-1 away victory on Saturday will not settle the tie, with the clubs required to meet again at Mulbarton on Tuesday, 29 September.

The dispute concerns an incident in the 30th minute at Woodford. The home side converted a penalty, but the referee disallowed the goal because several Woodford players had encroached. He then gave Mulbarton an indirect free-kick. According to the BBC report, Law 14 required the penalty to be taken again instead, making the restart the central issue in Woodford's subsequent protest.

The FA initially said a protest over a misapplication of the rules was not permissible. However, an FA sub-committee later reviewed the matter, concluded that a technical refereeing error had occurred and directed that the match be replayed. The replacement fixture will be decided on the night, with the venue switching from Woodford to the Norfolk club.

Mulbarton, who compete in the eighth-tier Isthmian League North, expressed strong disappointment at the ruling and its effects on the club. In a statement reported by the BBC, they also raised concerns about what the decision could mean for the finality of other FA Cup results and the integrity of the competition. The club said the ruling was binding and could not be appealed.

Woodford welcomed the outcome. The ninth-tier Essex Senior League side, based in Redbridge, thanked the FA for considering the case and said the decision would allow the tie to be completed under the competition's rules. Their response contrasted with Mulbarton's objections to being required to play again after winning the original match.

The winners will host Gloucester City in the third qualifying round on Saturday, 3 October. Gloucester, who play in the seventh-tier Southern League Premier Division South, had expected to travel to Mulbarton. They acknowledged supporters' frustration, particularly among those who had already arranged their trips, and thanked fans for their patience while the situation was resolved.