Its County Cup weekend as both the Manchester Women’s Challenge Cup and Lancashire Women’s Challenge Cup reach the second round stage.
Manchester Women’s Challenge Cup
At the time of writing just four ties will take place in the second round of the Manchester Women’s Challenge Cup thanks partially due to the drawing of several sides who’d folded in the summer.
Beechfield United and Crompton were drawn out of the hat for the competition despite neither making it to the opening day in the GMWFL. Barr Hill (Summer League) and FC United were the lucky recipients respectively having both received byes to the quarter finals. As did Sale United who’ve benefited from Egerton’s withdrawal despite the Cheshire League side appearing to be going strong in the league. They will all be joined by Manchester Stingers who also received a bye into the quarter finals as the 15th team in the competition.
That news probably won’t sit well for West Didsbury & Chorlton or Sale who both had to secure wins just to reach the second round having beaten Curzon Ashton and Flixton respectively. West’s reward is an all NWWRFL tie at home to local neighbours Didsbury, a side they’ve beaten 7-0 already in the league. Sale host GMWFL Division Two leaders Swinton.
The remaining ties see Bar Hill host Urmston Meadowside in an all GMWFL tie and Salford City hosting Cheshire League Championship leaders Manchester Rovers. Manchester Rovers have collected 16 points from a possible 18 available this season having scored 29 goals in the process.
Draw in Full:
Beechfield United A-W Barr Hill (Summer League)
Sale United H-W Egerton
Sale v Swinton
FC United H-W Crompton
Barr Hill v Urmston Meadowside
Salford City v Manchester Rovers
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Didsbury
Bye: Manchester Stingers
Lancashire Women’s Challenge Cup
The Lancashire version of the competition has ties in the second round as its mammoth 22 entrants have been narrowed down to a last sixteen.
Arguably, the big tie of the round see’s Wythenshawe Amateurs host the Women’s National League side Burnley at Hollyhedge Park. The reigning NWWRFL Champions currently sit atop of the WNL Division One but will be looking to bounce back following their cup defeat to Huddersfield Town last week which saw them concede to a 93rd minute penalty.
Accrington Girls & Lads face Sir Tom Finney in an all-NWWRFL Premier Division tie. Fleetwood Town Wrens take on GMWFL newcomers Langho. The holders Blackburn Rovers, top of the WNL Premier Division with a 100% record, host Morecambe. Lancashire League side Nelson host high flying WNL side Chorley. Haslingden welcome Blackburn Community, Bolton Wanderers take on Bolton Belvedere and Accrington Stanley face the tough test that is Fylde at home.
Draw in Full:
Blackburn Rovers v Morecambe
Wythenshawe Amateurs v Burnley
Nelson v Chorley
Haslingden v Blackburn Community
Accrington v Sir Tom Finney
Bolton Wanderers v Bolton Belvedere
Accrington Stanley v Fylde
Fleetwood Town v Langho
Stealing Five Yards 