Arsenal Ladies made it through to the FA Women’s Cup quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty shootout win away to Birmingham City Ladies (1-1 aet).

This was the opening game of the 2016 season and the League will start at home to Reading on Wednesday.

As expected, it was a tough game for the Gunners with Blues taking the lead through former player Freda Ayisi on the 26th minute.

Danielle Carter scored the equaliser on the 79th-minute that sent the game into extra time.

Fara Williams, Natalia Pablos Sanchon, Kelly Smith,  Danielle Carter and Jordan Nobbs all converted their spot-kicks while Charlie Wellings hit the post for Birmingham.

Pedro Losa had selected the following starting 11 for this cup tie: Van Veenendaal; Scott, Rose, Stoney, Williamson; Janssen, Williams, Nobbs; Van de Donk, Carter, McCabe.

The following players were on the bench: Byrne, Losada, Natalia, Corredera, Smith.

Losa left Vyan Sampson, Josephine Henning, Emma Mitchell, Chloe Kelly and Asisat Oshoala at home.

McCabe and Janssen were replaced at half-time by Losada and Pablos Sanchon while Kelly Smith made a welcome return to the team in the 74th minute, coming on for Jemma Rose when the Gunners were still 1-0 down.

It will be fascinating to see who will make the 18-player squad for the League opener on Wednesday against Reading.

Other FA Women’s Cup results:

Doncaster Belles 1 Chelsea Ladies 4

Liverpool Ladies 0 Man City Women 2

Reading Women  2  Millwall Lionesses 0

Notts County Ladies 3  Durham Women 1

Yeovil Town 0  Sunderland Ladies 2

Aston Villa Ladies 1 Everton Ladies 0

Brighton and Hove 3 SC Albion 4

The FA has made the Round 6 draw and Arsenal Ladies will be at home to Notts County, a team renowned for their ability to park the bus and hit the opposition on the break.

The tie will be played on 3rd April.

The full draw:

Manchester City v Sporting Club Albion**
Sunderland v Reading
Chelsea v Aston Villa*
Arsenal v Notts County

*denotes second level team

** denotes third level team