As a steady return to normality, or some sort of at least, continues to muster, the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League held its League SGM at the weekend, within which was the First Round draw for the 2021-22 League Cup competition.

This seasons’ competition, as per their league constitution sees increased, vested interest for the Nottinghamshire area with some nine women’s clubs being represented throughout the campaign – Nottingham Forest Women Development and Nottingham Trent University Women among the new additions.

As the league is scheduled to kick back into action early next month, the cup completion will see the first round of matches take place on Sunday 7 November (13:30KO), with five rounds overall leading up to next years’ finals (the second round will see the completion splitting into its cup and plate formats).

Of the sixteen ties drawn, one of the games will see an all-Nottinghamshire affair, newcomers Nottingham Forest Development playing host to St Joseph’s Rockware of Worksop Women; four others sides find themselves on the road (Arnold Eagles, Nottingham Trent, and both Notts County Women, and Notts County Women Development), whilst the remaining three clubs (Mansfield Town Ladies, Rise Park Ladies, and Sherwood Women) are at home.

The first round draw, as it concerns Nottinghamshire clubs, is as follows –

Rotherham United Women vs. Arnold Eagles Women; Leicester Road Ladies & Girls vs. Nottingham Trent University Women; Woodlands Seniors Ladies vs. Notts County Women Development; Loughborough Foxes Vixens Women vs. Notts County Women; Mansfield Town Ladies vs. Chesterfield Women; Rise Park Ladies vs. Ilkeston Town Ladies; Sherwood Women vs. Kettering Town Women; Nottingham Forest Women Development vs. SJR of Worksop Women

Although hampered by the current climate, last season did finish with a post-season League and Cup competition – the League Cup final would see Lincoln United Women defeat Chesterfield Women 1-0 aet, whilst the League Plate went to Oughtibridge War Memorial after they saw off Loughborough Students 3-2, matches played at Arnold Town’s Eagle Valley.

Mansfield Town Ladies (League Cup) and Sherwood Women (League Plate) both reached the semi-finals, both sides losing out to the eventual winners in their respective, final four clashes.

In addition, the East Midlands Regional Women’s Football League are also on the look-out for sponsors, right across the board – interested parties, please email the league secretary, Julie Mitchell, via Julie.mitchell457@ntlworld.com.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Mansfield Town ladies reached the semi-finals of the league cup last season.