Northern Ireland striker Dion Charles continued his excellent form by scoring twice in Bolton Wanderers' resounding 7-0 home victory over Exeter City at the weekend.
The 28-year-old, who hit his third international goal in the impressive 2-0 win over Denmark last week, now has 13 goals to his name this season and his energetic performance earned praise from Trotters boss Ian Evatt.
“Dion is doing really well,” said Evatt, whose side are now top of League One two points ahead of Portsmouth. “He has looked really sharp and I watched the game against Denmark and he is full of confidence.
“He is a proven goalscorer at this level but I honestly do believe in all the strikers at the club. I back them all to keep improving and getting more goals.”
Former Under-21 international Jamie Reid scored his sixth goal in as many games as Stevenage recorded a 3-0 success at struggling Fleetwood Town to consolidate their play-off position in League One.
The 29-year-old’s eighth minute strike against Fleetwood took his tally for the campaign to 15, equalling his total for the whole of last season.
Also on the scoresheet at the weekend was midfielder Cameron McGeehan who found the net in Colchester United’s 4-1 League Two defeat at home to AFC Barrow.
In the Women’s FA Cup former Under-19 international Brenna McPartlan scored a hat-trick as Burnley progressed to the next round with a very comfortable 9-1 win over Alnwick Town, while current U19 international Mikayla Wildgoose was also on the scoresheet for the Clarets.
Meanwhile, in the Championship, 18-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who was part of Gareth McAuley’s Under-19 squad for their mini-tournament last week, was an unused substitute in Sheffield Wednesday's defeat at Birmingham City.
Defender Daniel Ballard recovered from his hamstring injury to start alongside Trai Hume in Sunderland’s 2-0 reverse at Plymouth Argyle, while Jamal Lewis and George Saville both started for Watford and Millwall respectively.
In Scotland, St Mirren recorded a single goal victory at home to Livingston with Conor McMenamin again starring for the Buddies.
“I thought Conor McMenamin was fantastic again today,” said Saints boss Stephen Robinson. “He gives us something different, more positive going forward.”
In the U21 Premier League Cup, former Glentoran youngster Conor Falls scored the only goal of the game as Huddersfield Town surprisingly beat their more illustrious opponents Newcastle United.
Seventeen-year-old Callum Burnside was on target in Rangers U18s' 4-0 Scottish Youth Cup win at Fraserburgh and central defender Tom Atcheson scored a late consolation in Blackburn Rovers' 3-1 U18 Premier League Cup loss at Chelsea.
Also in the U18 Premier League Cup highly rated winger Kieran Morrison scored his sixth goal in three games as Liverpool trounced Newcastle United 5-1.
Finally, there were assists for Hearts striker Liam Boyce, Wigan’s Jordan Jones and midfielder Sean Goss who is now plying his trade with Greek side Asteras Tripoli.