Women’s FA Cup draw announced

Draws for the opening rounds of the 2024-25 Adobe Women's FA Cup have been announced. Historically Royal Wootton Bassett Town have had limited success in the most prestigious knockout competition in English women's football. First entering in 2012-13, Bassett had been knocked out at the stage they entered the competition in eight of their initial ten participations, recording just three wins. The past two seasons have brought more success though with consecutive trips to the third - and final - qualifying round. In 2022-23, Bassett triumphed 6-0 away at Middlezoy Rovers before a 5-2 reverse in the third qualifying round against Torquay United. Bassett advanced to the same stage last season following thumping wins away against Longwell Green Sports (14-0) and league rivals Stockwood Wanderers (7-2). However Adam Wood's side came up agonisingly short of the first round proper courtesy of a 1-0 home defeat against AFC Stoneham. After that case of so near yet so far, Bassett are now determined to finally go a step further as they seek to make it to the first round proper for the first time in club history. Doing that will be no easy feat though, with three wins again necessary. In the first qualifying round - due to be played on Sunday 1 September - Bassett will visit Ross Juniors. While formed just two seasons ago, Ross have enjoyed success, reaching the Herefordshire County Cup final in 2022-23 before finishing as unbeaten champions of the Herefordshire FA Women's League last season. They'll making their Women's FA Cup debut this season. The winners of that tie will then host Ilminster Town in the second qualifying round on Sunday 22 September. Having been relegated alongside Bassett two seasons ago, the Somerset side secured their return to the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division last season, finishing as Division One Western champions, edging out Saltash United. They also enjoyed success in the Women's FA Cup, reaching the first round after qualifying round wins against Bishop's Cleeve and Winchester City Flyers before suffering a defeat away against Plymouth Argyle. That was the second time Ilminster had advanced through the qualifying rounds. In 2021-22, victories over Gloucester City, Bristol Ladies Union and Sherborne Town saw them advance to the second round where they fell to defeat against Southampton. Since first entering the competition in 2005-06, Ilminster have advanced to the third qualifying round on three further occasions. Bassett have plenty of history against Ilminster. The Somerset side have won eight out of ten previous meetings - including a 4-2 victory in the Women's FA Cup preliminary round in 2014-15 and a 4-3 Divisional Cup quarter final triumph last year. Bassett have won just two of their previous meetings - with both coming in the league in 2022-23, including a 5-0 home win. Adobe Women's FA Cup First Qualifying Round: Ross Juniors v Royal Wootton Bassett Town (Sunday 1 September)
Adobe Women's FA Cup Second Qualifying Round: Ross Juniors or Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Ilminster Town (Sunday 22 September)

-

Historical details of Royal Wootton Bassett Town's participation in the Women's FA Cup in the history section of our website. Details of all results are listed, as well as - where information is available - line-ups and match reports. See here for details.