FA WSL CONTINENTAL TYRES CUP
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Sheffield FC v Durham
Oxford United v Millwall Lionesses
Watford v London Bees
(Ties to be played Sat/Sun May 7/8)
1ST ROUND
Doncaster Rovers Belles v Sunderland
Yeovil Town v Notts County
Oxford United / Millwall Lionesses v Birmingham City
Everton v Liverpool
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Reading v Arsenal
Watford / London Bees v Chelsea
Sheffield FC / Durham v Bristol City
(Ties to be played Sat/Sun July 2/3)
The competition has reverted to a straight knockout tournament instead of the regional group stage format. The draw for the first round was seeded, based on last season’s league placings, while the bottom five teams in 2015, plus Sheffield, have to come through a preliminary round. Last season’s top eight clubs were all deliberately drawn away from home.
The Gunners have already met the Royals in the league this season, winning 3-1, and there are three other ties where teams have familiarised themselves with the opposition early in the campaign.
Durham go to Sheffield FC in the Preliminary Round boosted by a 1-0 WSL 2 victory and the winners will host Bristol City, who were held 0-0 by the Yorkshire side just last week.
Watford host London Bees against whom they scored two very late goals to draw a few days ago but this time the reward is a massive home game with Chelsea.
Millwall go back to Oxford, scene of their recent 5-3 win, with the prize for the victors being a home clash with Birmingham City.
Notts County, beaten finalists back in November, have been drawn away to Yeovil Town.
Aston Villa have an attractive home fixture with Manchester City and one of only two all top flight ties has Doncaster up against Sunderland.
