[2] National Division side Arsenal were the defending champions, but they were eliminated by Everton in the semi-finals.
Charlton Athletic won their first FA Women's Cup title after a 1–0 win over Everton in the final.
Fourteen matches (Bath City v Swindon Town, Bolton Wanderers v Doncaster Parklands Rovers, Buxton v Ilkeston Town, Cardiff City Bluebirds v AFC Bournemouth, CEFI v Reading, Crewe Alexandra v Scunthorpe United, Garswood Saints v Bradford City, Lewes v Brentford, Plymouth Argyle v Ashdown Rovers, Preston North End v Bury, Redhill v Chesham United, Shrewsbury Town v Leicester City Ladies, Wembley v Thatcham Town and Wigan Athletic v Blackpool Wren Rovers) were postponed and rescheduled for the following Sunday (31 October 2004).
One match (Newton Abbot v Forest Green Rovers) was played on Monday 8 November 2004.
The matches were played on Sunday 14 November 2004, the only exception being Norwich City v Colchester United, which took place on Sunday 21 November 2004.
However, Watford played an ineligible player and the match was awarded to Cardiff City.