A refereeing mistake has led to Holbeach United being told to replay a game they won comfortably.
The furious Tigers have said they will refuse to replay the match against Harwich and Parkeston – which they won 4-2 – after the Thurlow Nunn League null and voided it.
Callum Davies scored four times in the game which Holbeach won despite being down to ten men.
Late on Harvey Robinson was shown a second yellow, the referee though failed to realise that and did not send the player off.
He and Will Barnes, who also received two yellows earlier in the game, have served suspensions as a result.
The Tigers were then left astonished that this week the league asked them to replay it on April 1.
“It’s embarrassing,” boss Danny Clifton said. “I can’t believe we’re being asked to play a football match because of a refereeing error.
“It’s taking three earned points off us and four brilliant goals off Cal. It also costs the club money to get to the away trips like that.
“The cost of the mini-bus was £720 and paying the players would leave us about £1,300 down.
“We’re not going to play it. The worst they can do is dock us points and fine us £150 but we’d still be in pocket compared with playing it again.
“It was meant to be a free weekend and half my team have made plans and won’t be available anyway.”
Thurlow Nunn League chairman Peter Hutchings confirmed the management committee had ordered the game to be replayed “because the official made a mistake”.
When pointed out this happens a lot, he said a game was replayed earlier in the season when an injury to an official was also out of both clubs’ control.
“Failing to send someone off is a bit different to say a penalty not being given,” he said. “It’s the final decision of the management committee.
“We do feel sorry for Holbeach and it’s the league that has offered to pay for the travel.”
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