12 February 2006
VIDEO: Newcastle v Liverpool

Relive the action as Liverpool beat Newcastle after a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals.

The FA Women's Cup in partnership with Nationwide
Semi-Final
3pm, Sunday 12 March 2006
Leeds v Liverpool

Postponed due to snow. New date: 3pm, Sunday 19 March

Liverpool captain Gayle Formston will put her friendships to one side when she lines up against her old club Leeds in the Semi-Final of The FA Women's Cup on Sunday.

The Reds' skipper spent three years at Leeds before returning to Liverpool last season and still has many friends at her former club.

"It will be a strange kind of day," admitted Formston. "I still have many good friends at the club, but there will be no divided loyalties for me once kick off comes. I’m sure my mates in the other camp wont be out to give any favours either."

Liverpool squeezed past Newcastle in the quarter-finals, winning 9-8 on penalties after a dramatic game ended in a 2-2 draw.

However, they will find Leeds, who are mid-table in the National League - Liverpool are currently second in the Northern Division, one below their opponents - a much tougher prospect.

But Formston is undaunted by the thought of being underdogs and has challenged her team to pull off an upset and book their first final appearance since losing to Wycombe Wanderers ten years ago.

"We doubtlessly enter the tie as firm underdogs," she conceded. "We are out to show that we should indeed be a National Division outfit ourselves as we have the set-up off the field and the ability on it to compete at that level.

"Leeds can boast a host of England internationals with vast experience as well as some very promising youngsters, we can offer up some amazing talent so we will not be star-struck or overawed. If we all perform to our best we can provide a match for them and go on to gain a positive result."

In Liverpool's way stands Karen Walker, a player who is on the threshold of an astonishing 12th final, and the 36 year old is determined to end her career on a high.

"I don’t think I’ve ever lost a semi-final – and I don’t intend starting now! I’ve had some great times in the FA Cup, which is a fantastic competition, and it would be a dream come true to finish what could be my last season as a player by playing in the final.

"We’ll be confident but not complacent against Liverpool, who are a good side doing really well in their league. Our inconsistency in the league has been worrying, but we’ve had some excellent cup results and we’ve started believing – a bit late in the season admittedly – that we’re a half-decent team."