7th April 2021
Cheltenham Town Ladies Football Club can confirm the FA’s decision to award the club the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Second Round tie against Portsmouth after Portsmouth were removed from the competition as a result of fielding an ineligible player in the Second Round tie.
Cheltenham Town Ladies will now advance into the Third Round and play Gillingham Women on Sunday April 11, after the FA WNL Southern Premier side defeated Crawley Wasps 3-2 in the Second Round.
Andy Liddle, Chairman of Cheltenham Town Ladies said “Football matches should be won on the pitch. Right now I feel sorry for all the Portsmouth players that worked so hard for 120 minutes in a very close game on Sunday.
“What this highlights, is the importance of all the people within a football club that you never hear about, that work tirelessly in the background. From those arranging transport for away matches, to those sourcing kit, pitches and dealing with all the FA rules and regulations, not to mention the media.
“A simple mistake has been made here, one that we’ve made ourselves in the past, and it is right that the FA uphold the rules. We’re looking forward to hosting Gillingham on Sunday in Round Three and it promises to be another cracking match. Of course with the Fourth Round draw already having been made, both teams are playing for the right to visit Arsenal – Round Four is when the Women’s Super League teams join!”
Further details for the Third Round fixture will be released in due course. This fixture will be played behind closed doors.
