Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.8 2020-21

The Football Assocation has made the following statement on the
immediate future of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup:
“The Football Association (The FA) can today confirm that
following the latest national lockdown enforced by the government,
the 2020-2021 Vitality Women’s FA Cup will not resume during this
period and will remain on pause.
“With all sport across the country outside of the elite level currently shut down, the
competition is not in a position where the Second and Third Rounds can be played, with clubs
currently in the competition not permitted to train or play due to being at amateur level
“Whilst it would have been possible to play elite v non-elite fixtures under elite criteria with
Government support, as seen in the Emirates FA Cup, fixtures involving all non-elite teams do not
meet elite criteria and cannot currently go ahead.
“Therefore, the competition will remain paused during the current lockdown, with a
number of options currently being explored on how best to complete it.
“The health and wellbeing of players and staff are of paramount importance and we are not
prepared to put any individual at risk during this pandemic.
“It remains The FA’s preference to complete the 2020-21 competition with all clubs having
the opportunity to play their fixtures, however, the developing situation will continue to be closely
monitored and will be reviewed before any further decisions are made.
“The FA will now enter a period of consultation with all clubs that remain in the
competition, alongside those who are due to enter from the Fourth Round, to discuss the options
available. We will look to make a further announcement in due course.”
One of the Second Round ties did actually go ahead as scheduled, as Huddersfield Town
made it through by winning a thrilling tie away to Liverpool Feds, 3-2 after extra time.
The first half was goalless but seven minutes after the restart, Kate Mallin opened the
scoring for Huddersfield. The Feds fought back and with fifteen minutes remaining, Paige Cole
netted a fine solo goal to level the scores again and take the match into the extra period. An own
goal put Town back in front, twelve minutes into extra time, and Mallin completed her double
shortly afterwards. The Feds did not give up though and Chantelle Thompson reduced the arrears
with six minutes to play, but Huddersfield held out for a hard earned win.

Glasgow City have made a further four signings as Head Coach Scott Booth continues to strengthen
his squad for the remainder of the season.
21-year-old Republic of Ireland international defender Niamh Farrelly joins from Irish
double winning champion side Peamount United and becomes the club's second signing of the
winter transfer window after the arrival of full back Cailin Michie from Pitea in Sweden.
Costa Rica international forward Priscila Chinchilla has signed from Liga Deportiva Ala-
juelense; the highly rated 19-year-old who already has 18 goals for the senior national team and 86
goals in the Costa Rican league.
City are pleased to announce the signing of Arna Sif Ágrimsdóttir on loan for the rest of the
League season. The current Captain of Thor/KA in the Icelandic top division, the 28-year-old
defender comes with great experience, having made her international debut for Iceland in 2014 as
well as playing for club sides Valur Reykjavik and Thor/KA in Iceland, Gothenburg in Sweden and
Verona in Italy.
South African international striker Ode Fulutudilu has also put to pen to paper to become
the newest addition to the SWPL 1 reigning Champions. The 30-year-old joins from Finnish side
Aland United where in November, she helped her side lift the League and Cup domestic double,
becoming Champions for the first time in seven years.
Fulutudilu was also part of the historic South African side who reached the FIFA Women’s
World Cup Finals in France in 2019, starting all three matches at the World Cup alongside Glasgow
City and international team mate Janine Van Wyk.
Issue no. 8 - 14 January 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk