Manchester City: FA Women’s Cup Quarter-Final with Leicester, Updates and Preview

The Quarter-final Between Manchester City and Leicester City, scheduled to kick off at 14:00 (UK) on Sunday 27 September, will be played at Farley Way Stadium. The holders, City, have the chance to defend the trophy with the resumption of the 2019/20 competition.

Gareth Taylor’s side faces the Foxes - the sole FA Women’s Championship representatives - in the last eight stages.

You can follow the action on our dedicated match day Twitter account: @Bitterandblue1.

Television broadcast information to be confirmed.

Further note, that while the decision was made to end the 2019/20 Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship campaigns in the best interests of the women’s game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FA submitted an application to FIFA for special dispensation to complete FA Women’s Cup competition.

For safety reasons in the wake of the pandemic, the fixture will be played behind-closed-doors.

In line with current protocols, additional balls will be placed at intervals around the pitch.

Our summer recruit Rose Lavelle may be in contention to make her debut, while Lucy Bronze (who withdrew from the England squad with an injury picked up in City’s 0-0 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion) will be assessed.

Aoife Mannion, Megan Campbell and Lauren Hemp remain sidelined through injury.

City manager, Gareth Taylor, says:

“The girls are under no illusions that we need to be better in the final third with our decision-making and final action, where it matters.

“Goals are important and of course, we don’t want to concede any. It’s a positive in that respect – we’ve had two clean sheets.

“We’ll get back with everyone together, and get ready for the start of the FA Cup when it resumes.”

In the last City’s opening home league game of 2020/21, which ended in stalemate, Gareth Taylor’s side were held to a goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion. And in spite of dominating and piling on late pressure, the hosts were left to regret missed chances, as we faced a spirited Seagulls side who proved impenetrable, with goalkeeper Megan Walsh in fine form.

While the draw proved disappointing, particularly given results elsewhere, there were positives. Lucy Bronze made her homecoming, while Alex Greenwood and Sam Mewis made their home debuts.

We’ll see what happens Sunday v Leicester.