Ipswich Town Women start their FA Cup journey as they travel to Northampton Town in the first round (2pm). Ross Halls previews the game.

Joe Sheehan's side won 2-0 at Cardiff City last weekend to reach the last eight of the FAWNL Cup, but now switch their focus to another cup competition. 

The Tractor Girls have great memories in FA Cup, playing the likes of Man City and West Ham in recent years, with the latter being the quarter-finals during the 2021/22 season. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Lucy O'Brien in action against Lewes in the FA Cup last season.Lucy O'Brien in action against Lewes in the FA Cup last season. (Image: Ross Halls)

They were narrowly beaten 1-0 at home by Championship side Lewes as they reached the fourth round of the competition last season. 

Town face Northampton who play in the FA Women's National League Division One Midlands, which is a division below Town and it will be the first time the two sides have faced. 

In the previous round, they beat Coventry Sphinx 7-5 to progress and currently sit fifth in their league after winning their last game 7-3 at home against Leek Town last Sunday. 

The game is being played at Fernie Fields Sports Ground, with the game kicking off at 2pm.

East Anglian Daily Times: This year's Women's FA Cup prize fund has doubled.This year's Women's FA Cup prize fund has doubled. (Image: PA)

This year's Women's FA Cup prize fund will be doubled to a total of £6m and will come into effect from the third round onwards, where second-tier sides enter the competition.

Then 12 Women's Super League sides, including holders Chelsea, join in round four.

In other news, Town have been drawn at home to Portsmouth in the quarter-finals of the FAWNL Cup. The tie will be played on Sunday January 28th 2024.