The Women’s FA Cup fourth round takes place across the weekend of January 29-30, with WSL sides entering the draw at this stage of the competition.
From romantic cup fixtures to all-WSL clashes, potential upsets to fan protests, here’s everything that’s in store for round four.
Clapton Community FC had been the story of this season’s FA Cup. They became the first tier seven club to reach the third round in the competition’s history when they beat Hounslow on penalties, simultaneously becoming the first ever team to knock out an opponent from four divisions higher.
Although Clapton were eliminated in round three, their legacy lives on. The club were forced to set up a fundraising page so they could afford to travel to Plymouth for their third round fixture, and fan protests are planned at matches across the weekend to campaign for equal prize money in the men’s and women’s FA Cup.
The biggest shock of round three saw Bridgewater United eliminate Crystal Palace of the division above, and the tier three side will have their eyes on another giant killing this weekend.
There are four tier four sides left in the competition: Exeter City of the National League Division One South West, Lincoln of the National League Division One Midlands, Newcastle of the National League Division One North and Billericay of the National League Division One South East.
There are two all National League ties: Newcastle versus Ipswich and Exeter versus West Brom, meaning there are guaranteed to be at least two sides from tier three or below in the hat for the fifth round.
There are a handful of romantic cup ties to keep your eyes on over the weekend, kicking off with Nottingham Forest of tier three welcoming the might of Manchester City to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. The game with see City boss Gareth Taylor return to his old stomping ground, having spent three years with Forest during his playing days.
Having shocked Championship outfit Crystal Palace in the previous round, tier three Bridgewater were rewarded with a dream draw against Manchester United.
Tier four Lincoln face Championship leaders Liverpool on Sunday in another David versus Goliath tie, while WSL leaders Arsenal against London City Lionesses – who currently occupy second spot in the Championship – could prove to be an intriguing matchup.
Given the gulf in class between divisions, underdog triumphs can be a rarity in the Women’s FA Cup. However, there are still a selection of ties with upset potential.
Southampton boast one of the best setups outside the top two tiers and are flying high in the National League Southern Premier Division, having lost just once and conceded just three times in their 12 league outings. They host mid-table Championship outfit Bristol City on Sunday.
Everton have massively underwhelmed this season and could be there for the taking by third tier Huddersfield. Just as they did at this stage of the competition two years ago, the Terriers are making the most of the occasion by hosting their fourth round fixture at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Billericay sit second in the National League Division One South East, and could prove to be a banana skin for Championship side Coventry.
There are three all-WSL ties in the fourth round; Aston Villa host Chelsea on Saturday, before Tottenham welcome Leicester and Brighton visit Reading on Sunday.
Reminder: The #WomensFACup Fourth Round fixtures ? pic.twitter.com/CjeUxtdPY8
— Vitality Women’s FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) January 28, 2022
A selection of Women’s FA Cup ties will be available to watch live, either on terrestrial television or via club websites.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
When is it being played? Saturday 29 January 2022
What time is kickoff? 13:00 (GMT)
TV channel/live stream? City+
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
When is it being played? Saturday 29 January
What time is kickoff? 13:00 (GMT)
TV channel/live stream? The 5th Stand app, Chelseafc.com
Arsenal vs London City Lionesses
When is it being played? Sunday 30 January
What time is kickoff? 12:30 (GMT)
TV channel/live stream? BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website, the FA Player
Liverpool vs Lincoln
When is it being played? Sunday 30 January
What time is kickoff? 14:00 (GMT)
TV channel/live stream? LFCTV