FA Cup may still go ahead during lockdown

The Vitality Women's FA Cup first and second rounds could still go ahead in November, despite England being in a national lockdown, after the government hinted at a change of heart.

Unlike the men's FA Cup, which was given an exemption to continue even though non-elite teams are banned from playing or training until 2 December, the women's competition was initially paused along with league fixtures for all teams below the Women's Championship.

However, the sports minister Nigel Huddleston said on Twitter: "We are in discussions with the FA about the Women's FA Cup to see if a solution can be found that means the competition does not need to be paused."

Women's Super League and Championship clubs do not enter the FA Cup until the fourth round after Christmas.