Gwalia United will host AFC Stoneham in the third qualifying round of the FA Women’s Cup at USW Sport Park on Sunday, 4 October, with kick-off set for 2pm.
The draw pits Gwalia against opposition from two tiers below them in the English football pyramid. Hampshire-based AFC Stoneham currently compete in the Southern Region Women’s Football League Division One South, a tier six competition, and arrive on the back of a 3-1 win away at Havant & Waterlooville FC Women on Sunday that booked their place in the next round.
Speaking after the draw was made, Gwalia manager Cori Williams-Mills said the club were embracing the challenge that English football’s oldest women’s cup competition brings each season.
“The FA Cup carries weight all over the world. It’s one of the game’s great competitions, and we’re relishing the chance to see how the journey takes us.” Williams-Mills said.
Gwalia will be aiming to go further than they did in last season’s competition, when their run ended at the second round following a 2-0 defeat away to fellow Southern Premier League side Plymouth Argyle.
A win over AFC Stoneham would put Gwalia into the hat for the first round proper, with a place among the senior sides in the national draw the reward for those who progress through the qualifying rounds.
Early bird ticket for the game are priced at £6 (adults), £3 (over-65s) and £2 (under-16s), and are available via the Gwalia United ticketing website.
