Today marked the start of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the 2026/27 season. Across the country, nearly 300 adult grassroots and semi-professional teams went head-to-head in the preliminary round. The drama started immediately.
What Happened Today
The preliminary round featured 143 ties. It drew in sides from tier 6 and tier 7 of the women’s football pyramid — the true grassroots and community level of the women’s game. With so many matches played on the same day, shootouts and late drama were always going to be part of the story.
Beverley Town were involved in one of today’s standout results. They drew 1-1 with Sherburn White Rose after 90 minutes. They then won through 8-7 on penalties. Goalkeeper Lydia Webb was named player of the match for her role in that shootout.
Beverley weren’t alone in needing spot-kicks to settle things. Carlisle United edged past Harrogate Railway 7-6 on penalties after normal time finished level. Shrewsbury Up and Comers needed the same method to beat Bolehall Swifts. They won 5-4 on penalties following a tight, goalless 90 minutes.
Not every tie went to penalties. Stanground Cardea Sports settled their tie in normal fashion. They beat Bugbrooke St Michaels 3-0 after both sides had been level at 1-1.
Why Today Matters for the Grassroots Women’s Game
These aren’t household names, and that’s exactly the point. The preliminary round of the Women’s FA Cup exists purely for clubs at tier 6 and tier 7. These are community sides, often run on a shoestring, playing in front of a handful of supporters on a Sunday afternoon. For most of these teams, today was the first competitive fixture of their entire season.
A shootout win like Beverley’s doesn’t just settle a game. It keeps a small club’s FA Cup dream alive for at least one more round. First round qualifying is now set for Sunday 6 September.
What’s Next
143 ties have now been played, and the winners move forward into the next stage of the competition. For clubs and fans following the women’s grassroots game, results like today’s are a reminder of something simple. The road to Wembley in May starts here — on ordinary pitches, in front of small crowds, decided as often by nerve as by skill.