Mark Ritson reports

The Charlton women's team will face Brighton & Hove Albion to start their FA Women's Premier League Cup campaign on Sunday (2pm) at Thamesmead Town's Bayliss Avenue stadium.

Just one league match remains as six weeks of cup football commences, with the top two teams and the two best third-placed sides progressing to the last 16 on a nationwide basis in knockout fashion.

Alongside the Seagulls, the Addicks have been drawn in a group with Southern Division sides Queens Park Rangers, local rivals Millwall Lionesses and Gillingham. And as a National Division team, Charlton are likely to start as favourites to win the group.

The following week, the Addicks will play an FA Women's Cup tie at home to Bradford City, and in between further Premier League Cup fixtures, there's a London Women's Senior Cup semi-final away to Tottenham Hotspur.

Manager Paul Mortimer is looking forward to the challenge of cup football, which will not only give the Reds an opportunity to win some silverware, but also make full use of his squad in order to give them playing time.

After a tough, goalless draw against Barnet last week, the former midfielder believes Sunday's encounter with the Seagulls will be just as hard for his players.

"Brighton are playing some good stuff in the division below us, so we will not underestimate them at all," insisted the boss.

"We lost to them in this competition last season when they were without doubt the better side on the day, so this time we must be completely focused and ready to perform on the day."

The reserve team will also be in action on Sunday, as the Adicks take on their West Ham United counterparts in a league fixture at Sparrows Lane (2pm).