Newcastle United Women play Portsmouth in semi-final at St James’ Park

Newcastle United women in front of record crowd at St James' Park
Over 28,000 saw Newcastle United women beat Barnsley WFC at St James’ Park. (Photo: Colin Lock)

The FA Women’s National League’s leading two teams – Newcastle United and Portsmouth – clash in a Cup semi-final at St James’ Park.

Newcastle hope to break their attendance record of over 28.000, as the top sides in the Northern and Southern Premier Divisions go head to head on Tyneside.

Hashtag United, who sit second in the Southern Premier, head north to take on Halifax in the other half of the draw.

The League Plate is also at the semi-final stage, Exeter City warming up for their home tie with higher division Derby County by continuing their unbeaten Division 1 South West form with a 2-0 midweek win over Torquay United. Cambridge United entertain promotion-chasing Barnsley WFC in the other tie.

Wolves will go fifth in the Northern Premier if they take the points at a still winless Fylde, Stoke City host third-placed Burnley, while the only game in the Southern Premier sees sixth play third with Ipswich Town entertaining Rugby Borough.

Third in Division 1 Midlands, Sporting Khalsa play Peterborough United who are just one point behind them, Hull City can go second in Division 1 North but will have to defeat fifth-placed Stockport County to do so.

Victory for Norwich City at basement side Haywards Heath would see the Canaries cut AFC Wimbledon’s lead at the top in half, while AFC Bournemouth play one of their four games in hand on Division 1 South West top team Exeter City – away to Keynsham Town – with the Cherries a dozen points behind the Grecians.

FA WNL fixtures for Sunday 25 February (2pm)

NORTHERN PREMIER DIVISION

AFC Fylde v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Kellamergh Park)
Stoke City v Burnley (Norton CC & MWI)

SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION

Ipswich Town v Rugby Borough (Felixstowe & Walton Utd FC)

DIVISION 1 MIDLANDS

Sheffields FC v Northampton Town (Sheffield FC)
Solihull Moors v Leek Town (Studley Sports Centre, 3pm)
Sporting Khalsa v Peterborough United (Sporting Khalsa FC)

DIVISION 1 NORTH

Chester le Street Town v Doncaster Rovers Belles (Chester le Street Town FC)
Hull City v Stockport County (Barton Town FC)
Norton & Stockton Ancients v Leeds United (Norton Sports Complex)
York City v Chorley (University of York Sports Centre)

DIVISION 1 SOUTH EAST

Ashford Town v Chesham United (Ashford Town [Middx] FC)
Haywards Heath Town v Norwich City (Haywards Heath Town FC)

DIVISION 1 SOUTH WEST

Keynsham Town v AFC Bournemouth (Keynsham Town FC)
Moneyfields v Torquay United (Chichester City FC)
Southampton Women v Bridgwater United (Test Park Sports Ground)
Swindon Town v Portishead Town (Foundation Park)

LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS

Halifax v Hashtag United (Liversedge FC)
Newcastle United v Portsmouth (Newcastle Utd FC)

LEAGUE PLATE SEMI-FINALS

Cambridge United v Barnsley WFC (St Neots Town FC)
Exeter City v Derby County (Exwick Sports Hub)

England Women U-23s let lead slip in 3-1 loss to Spain

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