FA Cup Preview

FA Women's Cup 2011 winners Arsenal Ladies have won the tournament a record 11 times.


Bradford City have been drawn away against Charlton Athletic WFC in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup.

Charlton are two Leagues above Bradford and are doing well in the FA Women's Premier League following their promotion from the Premier League Southern Division last season. They're currently in third place and are in contention for the title. It's perhaps fitting therefore, that Bradford are their opponents in this third round fixture as they themselves are flying high in the Northern Combination League.

The first Women’s FA Cup competition took place in the 1970-71 season and had just 71 entrants compared to this season's 306. Those 71 teams also had representatives from Scotland and Wales and although Scottish side Stewarton were in the final, they were beaten 4-1 as Southampton became the inaugral winners of the Cup.


Charlton Athletic WFC's squad line up for their team photo with their Premier League Southern trophy.


Bradford's opponents Charlton have appeared in the final four times in the past ten seasons - winning the competition once in 2005. They had reached the final in both 2003 and 2004 but were beaten 3-0 both times by Fulham and Arsenal respectively.
Charlton made it third time lucky in 2005 with England striker Eniola Aluko scoring the winner as they beat Everton 1-0 at Upton Park to lift the Cup for the first time.

After being postponed two weeks running due to the frozen weather, the 3rd Round tie is scheduled to take place on Sunday 19th February at Thamesmead Town FC, Bayliss Avenue, London, SE28 8NJ.