Teams seal Cup progression
Portsmouth mounted a comeback to top their group
The line-up for the knockout stages of the FA Women's National League Cup are complete after the group stage came to an end.
Thirty-two teams remain in contention after three rounds of group matches.
Twenty-two group winners earned automatic qualification for the Cup knockouts, with 13 sides doing so with a perfect record of three wins out of three. They are joined by the best 10 runners-up.
Of the 13 sides to finish with nine points, few kept their perfect record as dramatically as Portsmouth, who fought back from 2-0 down at half-time against Lewes to win 3-2.
A strike from Esta Roberts and a birthday brace from Kerry Beattie helped Portsmouth to top spot in Group F, with Lewes subsequently heading to the Plate.
Norwich City also emphatically made it three wins from three with a 5-1 win over Stevenage to seal first place in Group G. Faith Harrison was at the double for the Canaries, who ran riot with four second-half goals.
Hashtag United, winners in 2024, and AFC Wimbledon earned 2-0 wins over London City Lionesses PGA and Dartford to wrap up flawless group-stage campaigns.
Rugby Borough got past Notts County 2-0 to finish top of Group L with nine points, while Boldmere St Michaels were 5-1 winners over Leafield Athletic to qualify from Group M.
In Group O, Stoke City capped off a free-scoring group stage with a 3-0 win over Manchester City PGA while Real Bedford got past Tottenham Hotspur PGA by the same scoreline.
Hull City came from behind to beat Norton & Stockton Ancients 2-1 and top Group U thanks to strikes from Ellie Tanser and Jess Andrew, while Leeds United grabbed their third win and local bragging rights with a convincing 4-1 win over Bradford City.
Liverpool Feds got past Liverpool PGA 1-0 following Maddy Duffy’s first-half winner against her former club, while West Bromwich Albion fought past Sporting Khalsa 2-0 to grab first place in Group N.
The final team to finish with three wins from three were Chelsea PGA, who beat Maidenhead United 1-0.
Defending champions progress
AFC Bournemouth kept their defence of the FA WNL Cup trophy alive with a storming 9-0 win over Southampton PGA.
The Cherries knew they needed to win and finish with a strong goal difference in order to progress, following earlier defeat to Moneyfields, and Helen Bleazard’s side duly delivered with Georgia Wilson bagging a hat-trick.
Moneyfields ensured they finished top of Group E with a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth Sports.
Last season’s runners-up Plymouth Argyle are headed for the Plate despite a 1-0 win over Torquay United, with Bridgwater United claiming first place in Group A on goal difference after a 4-0 win away at Marine Academy Plymouth.
In Group B, Exeter City sealed their progress with a 3-3 draw against Keynsham Town while Cheltenham Town topped Group C after a 5-1 win away at Kidderminster Harriers.
Group H saw three teams finish on six points, but superior goal difference saw both Actonians and Fulham progress to the Cup knockouts.
Actonians beat local rivals Queens Park Rangers 5-3 at MATRADE Loftus Road while Fulham beat Ascot United 10-0. Both sides finished on +11 goal difference, and Actonians finished top on goals scored.
Oxford United needed late drama to ensure their progression, with Holly Manders’ 84th-minute equaliser against Arsenal PGA putting them top of Group K with a 1-1 draw.
In Group R, both Loughborough Lightning and Chesterfield progressed with seven points, while Stockport County were the winners of Group S after a thrilling 5-4 win away at Derby County.
Middlesbrough took top spot in Group V thanks to a 2-1 win over Chester Le Street Town.
Photo courtesy of Portsmouth Women.