Albion Women will be keen to replicate their Adobe Women’s FA Cup run of last season as they host Cambridge United at the Alexander Stadium on Sunday (2pm).
The Baggies went all the way to the fourth round in 2024/25, where they fought valiantly, but were beaten by Women’s Super League side Manchester United.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still’s outfit will hope to rekindle their affinity with the competition when they welcome the U’s, with a place in the third round up for grabs in Perry Barr.
Last time out
Albion beat Sporting Khalsa 3-1 in their most recent outing. Efforts from debutant Lucy Day, forward Ellie May and an own goal were enough to claim all three points at the Guardian Warehousing Arena, despite Lowri Walker’s first-half equaliser.
In the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, the Baggies booked their place in round two by beating Solihull Moors at Studley Sports Centre at the end of October. Hodgetts-Still’s side scored three without reply in the second period as Marli Rhodes, Zoe Creaney and an own goal helped seal a comfortable victory.
The opposition
Cambridge United ply their trade in the FAWNL Division One South East, a tier below the Baggies, where they sit comfortably sixth in the league. Sean Greygoose’s side booked their place against the Baggies with a win away at the University of Nottingham Women, where an Abbie Jackson brace was enough to progress.
The U’s were beaten 3-1 away at London Bees in their last league encounter, leaving them on 13 points (W4, D1 & L3) and hopes of a cup upset will fuel their ambitions heading into Sunday’s encounter.
Pre-match thoughts
Defender Izzy Green is no stranger to an Adobe Women’s FA Cup run, having progressed deep into the competition and faced top-flight outfits on several occasions. The 21-year-old made it to the fourth round in 2023, where the Baggies met Brighton and Hove Albion, and the same stage in 2025, when Hodgetts-Still’s side travelled to Manchester United.
This year’s second-round fixture provides even more incentive for the Albion academy graduate, who has recovered from a lengthy injury. The setback meant Green missed most of pre-season, and then most recently, a month of action before returning for last weekend’s win over Sporting Khalsa.
The centre-back believes she can put her "tough" time with injury behind her as the Baggies look to delve further into the FA Cup.
She said: “Growing up I’d always watch the competition on the TV, whether that’s the men’s or women’s competition. Everyone loves it and to be involved in it, is just great.
“We’ve had some really big games with the likes of Brighton and Manchester United last year – they’re all great experiences that I’m lucky to be a part of. We want to get as far as we can in every single cup that we’re in,
“It’s important to keep winning those games and keep progressing. The whole weekend when we went to Man United was fantastic, the buzz in our camp was amazing.
“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the game very fairly, but we did well for a large majority of the game and it’s a shame it ended that way. Nonetheless, it was a great experience for us.
“We’re aiming for more of that this season, but to do that we need to get through on Sunday and work hard to do that. The game will be interesting, when you don’t face each other regularly, it’s a different test for both teams.
“It’s been tough for me mentally and physically being out for so long in pre-season, I’ve worked so hard to get back, so to get another setback is tough. I do everything I can in training to make sure I’m fit and ready for the game on Sunday.
“Luckily I got my start on Sunday, I’m happy I got to play. Competition is really good at the moment, and I personally love it – it’s what you want and need in order to develop and grow as a team.
“I thrive off the competition and there’s depth throughout the squad – it’s really good to see."
Ticket information
Tickets are on sale for £6 Adults, £5 Seniors (65+), £5 20-25s, £4 Under-20s, £3 Under-17s and £2 Under-14s. Disabled tickets are priced £5.
They can be purchased online now, or on the gate on the day of the game at the ground.
For those unable to attend, coverage will be provided across Albion Women’s social media channels, as always.
