The FA Vase first-round tie between Wythenshawe and Holker Old Boys is to be replayed after the referee made an error in a penalty shootout.
As Wythenshawe were down to 10 men after Will Calligan’s red card, Holker, who won 4-3 on penalties after the game finished 2-2, had to nominate a player from their team who would not take a spot-kick.
They selected their goalkeeper and were allowed to do so, but by the laws of the game that would then have meant he should have taken no part in the shootout.
The Cumbrian side, who play in the 10th tier, one league below Wythenshawe, said they were “deeply disappointed” by the decision to replay the game.
Sport has contacted the Football Association for comment.
“This decision has arisen solely due to an error made by a Football Association-appointed and qualified referee, who failed to correctly apply the laws of the game during the penalty shootout,” Holker said in a statement., external
“At the time, Holker Old Boys acted entirely in accordance with the referee’s instruction – an instruction which has since been deemed incorrect by the FA itself.
“As a result of this error, our club now faces unnecessary financial and logistical burdens, including the costs associated with a replay, lost prize money and the rearrangement of a scheduled league fixture.
“These impacts are significant for a grassroots football club such as ours, where resources are limited and every pound makes a difference.”
The replay will be held at Holker Old Boys’ ground on Saturday, 1 November.
