Haroldeans agree to replay

FOOTBALL FRASER Saville has confirmed Haroldeans will replay their Peter Morrison Trophy quarter-final against Manchester Maccabi next month.

Haroldeans won the original tie earlier this month on penalties, but Maccabi appealed to competition organisers that match referee Ray McLaughlin broke the rules by playing only 10 minutes’ extra-time each way, rather than the required 15, as he had to get to another match.

The National Football Committee ordered a replay, but Haroldeans only agreed after reviewing their options. The Merseysiders have lost both their matches since the original Morrison tie, with club chairman Saville insisting the decision “might have had a psychological impact on the team”.

Fraser Saville confirmed that the Morrison replay against Manchester will take place in Liverpool on April 14, with semi-pro officials appointed by the FA.

He said: “Initially the boys didn’t want to replay the game as they had won fair and square. But there was a danger the case could’ve dragged on for weeks or months, so we have agreed to replay the game.”

Haroldeans lost 3-2 to MSB Woolton in the Liverpool Business Houses League on Sunday. Bobby Fishel headed them in front before their opponents equalised later in the first half. The Liverpudlians restored their advantage when a long ball from Eden Harris was converted by Max Barnett, but Woolton equalised on 60 minutes before securing the points with a controversial late penalty.