Lydd are unhappy after learning they must replay their abandoned FA Cup Preliminary Round tie against Deal.

The Lydders were 2-0 up with eight minutes left on Saturday when Hoops keeper Henry Newcombe was injured in an accidental clash with Tyler Sterling.

Newcombe, who was struggling to breathe, was taken to hospital by ambulance and the match was abandoned.

He was discharged in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Lydd joint-boss James Rogers was quick to check on the welfare of Newcombe, a man he played with at Hythe.

While that was the priority for everyone involved, Lydd were hoping the scoreline would stand, given there was so little time remaining.

The FA, however, have ruled the tie must be replayed.

It will take place at the Lindsey Field on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm), replacing the scheduled Southern Counties East meeting between the sides.

“We’ve had a letter saying we’ve got to replay the whole game - it’s an absolute shambles,” said Rogers. “It’s embarrassing.

“There’s about five minutes left of normal time, we’re comfortable, we’re cruising. There’s no way Deal are getting back in that game.

“I don’t understand how the result could stand in a league game but in the FA Cup it’s completely different.

“We’re obviously not happy about it.

“It’s no fault on Deal, or anyone else, but I believe the FA have made the wrong decision.

“We could have been out of sight. The game was wrapped up and I think Deal know that but the FA have made their decision and there’s nothing we can do about it. We can’t be bitter.

“There’s no hard feelings towards Deal. They didn’t ask Henry to go down. It’s no one’s fault. It wasn’t a bad tackle. It’s just one of those things that happen in football.”

Rogers was pleased to learn Newcombe was on the mend following the collision with Sterling, a former team-mate at Hythe.

“They went up from a corner and just collided,” said Rogers.

“Everyone who knows Tyler knows he isn’t a malicious player. There was no intent.

“Unfortunately he’s caught Henry but I don’t know if it was the contact that caused the injury or Henry’s landing.

“I contacted Henry on Sunday morning and he’d been discharged at half 1. I believe it was a bruised sternum (breastbone) and a couple of bruised ribs.”

Lydd, playing in the FA Cup this season for the first time in their history, were leading 2-0 thanks to Troy Howard and a Ronnie Dolan penalty.

There’s a big incentive to get the job done in the rematch, with the winners drawn away to Isthmian Premier side Kingstonian on September 2.

“We’ve seen what Deal are about now,” said Rogers.

“We’ve seen how they play.

“Whether we change things or go the same way, I’m not sure, but if anything, what’s happened has given us more motivation.

“It’s a good draw if we get through. Kingstonian have got a good history, they’re a big non-league club and they play at a nice ground (groundsharing with Tooting & Mitcham).”