Unprecedented decision: The FA orders a full replay of match due to refereeing error

The FA has issued a decision to replay the match between Woodford Town and Malborough Wanderers, which took place in the second round of the qualifying stages for the FA Cup, following a refereeing error in the application of Rule 14 of the Laws of the Game.

Moulbarton Wanderers had won the match 2-1, but the English Football Association has decided to annul the result and replay the match entirely on Tuesday, September 29.

A controversial incident occurred in the 30th minute when the referee awarded a penalty to Woodford, successfully converted by Olly Soutenbo. However, the referee disallowed the goal after considering that several home players entered the penalty area before the kick was taken, awarding an indirect free kick to Molbarton.

After reviewing the incident, a sub-committee of the English FA concluded that the referee's decision was incorrect, as the goal should have been awarded or a penalty should have been retaken, according to Article 14 of the Laws of the Game.

Despite the error, the match continued, and Woodford took the lead in the 42nd minute through Soutwinbo himself, before Molbarton turned the game around in the second half. Owen Lin scored the equaliser in the 67th minute, and then Nathan Stone netted the winner in the 97th minute.

Woodford's protest reached a sub-committee of the English FA, which decided that the match was not played according to the competition rules, issuing a rare decision to fully replay it. This is an extremely rare occurrence in English football.