The Adobe Women’s FA Cup third round proper is almost upon us.
Here are five things to look out for across this weekend’s ties.
A team in form
Plymouth Argyle come into the third round on a 16-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, including the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, FA Women’s National League and FAWNL Cup.
The run, which began back in August with a 9-0 win over Billericay Town in the league, saw the club beat Gwalia United 2-0 last time out in the Women’s FA Cup second round, having seen off Maidstone United 7-0 in the first round proper. And this weekend, Plymouth travel to Oxford, looking to extend their run.
Third round debutants
Altrincham and York City are among two of the teams competing in the third round for the first time in their histories when they go head-to-head this weekend at the J. Davidson Stadium.
Cheshire-based Altrincham are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, playing their league football in tier six, having entered the Women’s FA Cup in the first round qualifying, beating Macclesfield, Atherton LR, Stockton Town, Penrith and Ponteland United en-route to the third round.
The magic of the cup
Another club making their debut in the third round this weekend are Dartford and it’s back to Princes Park – where history was made last month – this weekend as they take on London Bees.
Dartford’s 2-1triumph over Keynsham Town in the second round pulled in their biggest-ever crowd as 354 fans turned out to watch co-managers Martin McCarthy and Connor Dymond’s side advance in the competition but could they break more records on Sunday?
History was broken twice today at Princes Park! 🤯@DartfordFCWomen are through to the #AdobeWomensFACup third round for the first time, and they did it in front of their biggest crowd to date! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/heLFKVq8pm
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) November 23, 2025
Familiar foes
The 12 Barclays WSL2 teams enter the competition at this stage, with two all-WSL2 ties coming up this weekend.
Bristol City, who sit third in the league rankings, host tenth-placed Portsmouth in the third round, while Durham and Sheffield United – who occupy ninth and eighth place respectively, with just two points separating the two reams in the table as it stands – lock horns.
Firing on all cylinders
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Beth Merrick boasts an impressive record in the Women’s FA Cup, with 12 goals in 17 appearances in the competition since returning to the club in 2021, not to mention the former England youth international is Wolves through and through, having joined the club at under-10s level.
Beth Merrick is @WolvesWomen through and through 🧡#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/mwSchoaUPy
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) November 27, 2025
Merrick – who watched and attended Wolves FA Cup games as a child – and her teammates are in front of the cameras on Saturday afternoon in a televised clash against Nottingham Forest as the club, who have reached the fifth round in the last two seasons, look to go one step further.
