London Bees vs Liverpool Women's FA Cup Fourth Round: BBC Radio 5 Live Coverage with Emily Herbert

Match date: 18 January 2026

London Bees vs Liverpool Women's FA Cup Fourth Round: BBC Radio 5 Live Coverage with Emily Herbert

BBC Radio 5 Live brings listeners comprehensive coverage of the Women's FA Cup Fourth Round clash between London Bees and Liverpool Women on Sunday, 18 January 2026, with kick-off at 1:00 PM UTC from The Hive Stadium. The match represents a crucial fixture in the competition's knockout stages, with both sides vying for progression to the next round of England's premier cup competition for women's football.

BBC Radio 5 Live continues its long-standing tradition of delivering extensive sports coverage to UK audiences, providing detailed live commentary and analysis for significant matches across the football calendar. The network's commitment to women's football coverage has grown substantially in recent years, recognising the sport's increasing prominence and the dedicated fanbase following the Women's FA Cup. For supporters unable to attend The Hive Stadium in person, BBC Radio 5 Live offers an accessible alternative to follow the action in real-time, with comprehensive match updates, expert analysis, and post-match discussion.

Emily Herbert leads the BBC Radio 5 Live coverage as the reporter for this Women's FA Cup Fourth Round encounter. Herbert brings considerable experience to sports broadcasting, having established herself as a respected voice in covering women's football across multiple platforms. Her expertise in covering the women's game and ability to provide insightful commentary on tactical developments, player performances, and competition dynamics makes her well-suited to report on this significant FA Cup fixture. Herbert's presence on the broadcast ensures listeners receive knowledgeable and engaging coverage throughout the 90 minutes, with particular attention to key moments, substitutions, and the broader narrative of both teams' campaigns in this season's competition.

London Bees enter this fourth round tie as the home team, playing at The Hive Stadium, their established venue for Women's FA Cup and competitive fixtures. The club, based in the capital, has demonstrated strong recent form heading into this match. According to recent records, London Bees secured a 3-2 away victory against Darlington on 14 December 2025, followed by an emphatic 5-0 home win against Portsmouth on 23 November and a 5-3 victory against Barcelona on 26 October, illustrating their attacking prowess and ability to compete against quality opposition. Their home advantage at The Hive Stadium provides an additional factor in their favour as they seek to advance through the FA Cup.

Liverpool Women arrive at The Hive Stadium as visitors in this fourth round encounter, bringing their own credentials and ambitions in the competition. The Merseyside club represents one of England's established forces in women's football, competing at the highest levels of the domestic game. Liverpool's recent record shows varied results, with a 2-1 away defeat to Chelsea on 12 April, but notable victories including a 1-0 away win against Arsenal on 9 March 2025 and a 5-0 away victory against West Ham United on 29 January, demonstrating their capacity to produce impressive performances against competitive sides. The fixture presents Liverpool with an opportunity to progress further in the FA Cup whilst facing a London-based opponent seeking to make their own mark on the competition.

The Women's FA Cup Fourth Round stage represents a significant juncture in the competition's calendar. By this stage, numerous lower-league teams have been eliminated, leaving primarily WSL (Women's Super League) clubs and established regional sides competing for places in the subsequent rounds. The fourth round typically features compelling matchups between ambitious clubs seeking to lift the trophy, with BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage reflecting the importance of fixtures at this level. The fourth round structure provides genuine opportunities for sides to reach the quarter-finals and beyond, making every match consequential for teams' hopes of winning the competition.

BBC Radio 5 Live's editorial approach to women's football coverage emphasises tactical analysis, individual player performances, and the competitive context surrounding each fixture. Listeners can expect Emily Herbert to provide detailed commentary on team formations, key tactical battles—such as how London Bees' midfield controls the tempo of the match or how Liverpool's defensive structure handles the home team's attacking play—and pivotal moments that shape the match's trajectory. The broadcaster's commitment to women's football extends beyond match commentary to include pre-match analysis, exploring both teams' seasons to date, injury situations, and the significance of the FA Cup in each club's campaign objectives.

The Hive Stadium, located in North London, serves as London Bees' home venue for Women's FA Cup matches and regular fixtures. The stadium provides an appropriate setting for a fourth round tie, with capacity to accommodate supporters of both teams. The venue's characteristics—pitch dimensions, facilities, and atmosphere—contribute to the match environment that both teams must navigate. For listeners following the match via BBC Radio 5 Live, Emily Herbert's commentary will paint a vivid picture of The Hive Stadium's atmosphere, crowd engagement, and how the environment influences play throughout the 90 minutes.

Women's FA Cup coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live forms part of the broadcaster's broader commitment to comprehensive football reporting. The network recognises that the FA Cup holds particular significance within English football culture, with the competition's history, prestige, and capacity to produce dramatic moments making it compelling listening for radio audiences. The fourth round stage attracts heightened interest as teams' realistic prospects of reaching the latter rounds become increasingly apparent, and every result carries substantial implications for progression. BBC Radio 5 Live's scheduling of this London Bees versus Liverpool fixture reflects the network's editorial judgment regarding the match's significance to its audience base.

For supporters unable to attend The Hive Stadium, BBC Radio 5 Live provides the principal broadcast option for following this Women's FA Cup fourth round tie in real-time. The radio medium offers distinct advantages for match coverage, enabling listeners to follow proceedings whilst engaged in other activities, whether travelling, working, or otherwise occupied. Emily Herbert's commentary and expert analysis, supported by BBC Radio 5 Live's production team, ensures that listeners receive a comprehensive match experience equivalent to being present at the stadium. The broadcaster's expertise in covering women's football—accumulated through extensive investment in the sport over recent seasons—guarantees professional, knowledgeable coverage appropriate to the competition's profile.

The broader context of women's football in England continues to evolve, with the WSL and major cup competitions such as the FA Cup attracting increasing viewership, attendance, and commercial investment. Fixtures featuring ambitious London-based clubs like London Bees competing against established powerhouses such as Liverpool Women demonstrate the depth of talent and competitive quality now present throughout the English women's game. BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage of this fourth round match contributes to ongoing efforts to promote women's football to domestic audiences, providing accessible coverage that supports the competition's continued development and the sport's wider growth trajectory.