Newcomers to meet in Women's FA Cup

TWO of Suffolk’s new entrants will face each other in this season’s Women’s FA Cup.

Waveney Ladies’ FC, who have entered this season after reforming last year, will host Brett Vale Ladies’ FC in the Preliminary Round on Sunday, September 20th.

Suffolk’s other newcomers, Henley Athletic Ladies’ FC, have a home tie against March Town Ladies’ FC in the Extra Preliminary Round on Sunday, September 6th.

Waveney FC Secretary David Beecher said: “It is great to be at home, especially with the pandemic as we have a lot of young girls in our side who don’t have their own transport, so that’s a bonus that we don’t have to travel.

“Hopefully it will be a new experience for the team playing against opponents we would not normally play as we are in the Norfolk Girls’ & Women’s League.

“It should be a good experience whatever the outcome and especially so if we can get through to the next stage, but whatever the result it will be nice to say we have played in the Women’s FA Cup.”

Haverhill Rovers Ladies’ FC will also be in Extra Preliminary Round action, travelling to Northampton Town Women’s FC.

There will be another all-Suffolk clash in the Preliminary Round as AFC Sudbury Ladies’ FC entertain Needham Market Ladies’ FC.

Bungay Town Ladies’ FC will have home advantage against the winners of Newmarket Town Ladies’ FC and Wymondham Town Ladies’ FC.

Ipswich Town FC Women, who last season became the first fourth tier team in the competition’s history to reach the last 16 before losing 10-0 away to holders Manchester City in February, will enter the competition at a later stage.

A total of 376 sides have been accepted into the 2020-21 competitions and the draws for the extra preliminary round and preliminary round are now available to view.

The new season will overlap with the 2019-20 tournament, which has been on hold since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March, with the Final currently scheduled for Saturday, October 31st.

For a full list of round dates from the 2020-21 Women's FA Cup campaign, click here