Having recently attended a 'laws of the game' seminar, I deduce that the ball had crossed the touchline when Ranks barged him, therefore out of play and restart with a goal kick rather than free kick.
The ref also seemed to have had enough of his antics, as he made a big point of it when Damian challenged him later on.
Think you're dead right on this one - particularly the second point.
On the admission prices question - as I read the Trophy regulations the minimum price is £5. I would have thought it reasonable to charge no more than the lower-ranked side would for its home matches - I doubt Leamington charge any more than £10, if that; I'm pretty sure the 'full price' will have put a number of people off. There do also appear to be a minority of season-ticket holders who don't realise that their tickets are not valid for any cup matches & when they find out, don't attend. I accept the points about nearness of Christmas, time of the month as compared to pay day, etc., but feel the club could have done something to try and make the game a more financially attractive proposition for supporters.
As for the performance - Sinnott was a worthy man of the match, though that's not saying a great deal when compared to the non-performance of some. I'm sorry to say this, but James Lawrie in particular needs a kick up the backside. Far too many misplaced passes; far too easily knocked off the ball (referees below Conf Nat level are not going to show him any sympathy for being comparatively lightweight); and frankly appears far too sure of his place. It might do him good to be put on the bench Saturday, basically to invite him to buck his ideas up. The midfield was poor; Reeves had one opportunity to win it but clearly thought he was offside (as did most of the rest of us, but not the linesman) - play to the whistle, stick the chance away then worry about offside should be the message. I used to think football was a simple game for a winger - get to the by-line, cross the ball, high or low, & see what happens - but our wide players seem to want to cut inside at every opportunity. Clearly I've got the game wrong. Granted, we hit the woodwork several times, there were panic moments in their six-yard box & that amazing one where the ball stuck in invisible mud, but Leamington competed throughout, took the best chance they were offered & had other decent ones. They will feel they deserved something out of the game & who am I to argue with that?
It could be argued, in a slightly bizarre way, that Tuesday next is actually more important than this coming Saturday, for the reasons people have mentioned on this thread. As I won't be at either game I advance no opinion on what the team should be - just the hope that come this time next week we might still be contemplating Sussex-by-the-Sea in January (it's now a hope rather than any kind of expectation, though). Last night, to sum up, just wasn't good enough & I hope the management & players realise that.