FA Cup Replay Ordered After Referee Misapplied Penalty Rules

The Football Association has ordered a full replay of the FA Cup qualifying match between Mulbarton Wanderers and Woodford Town following a technical error by the referee. The original match, won 2-1 by Mulbarton on Saturday, has been voided after Woodford lodged a protest with the FA.

The error occurred in the 30th minute when Woodford scored a penalty goal. The referee disallowed the goal, citing encroachment by Woodford players into the penalty area, and awarded Mulbarton an indirect free kick. However, under Law 14 of the Laws of the Game, the correct procedure when encroachment is detected during a penalty kick is to order a retake of the penalty—not to award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. An FA sub-committee confirmed the referee had made a technical error in the application of the rules and determined the match was not completed in accordance with the 2026-27 FA Cup Rules.

Mulbarton initially appealed the protest, which the FA initially deemed not permissible. However, Woodford pursued a further appeal that was reviewed by an FA sub-committee of the Professional Game Board, which ruled in their favor. The replay is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 September, with the winner advancing to face Gloucester City at home on Saturday, 3 October.

Mulbarton expressed disappointment in a statement, saying they were "deeply upset" and warning of "potential wider implications regarding the finality of results for any FA Cup match" and "the integrity of the game as a whole." Woodford thanked the FA for its "thorough consideration" and for ensuring the tie would be "concluded in accordance with FA Cup rules." The decision mirrors a 2006 case involving Edgware Town and Harefield United, when a similar penalty encroachment error led to a replay in English football.