Northern Ireland international Megan Bell was among the scorers as Rangers Women maintained their one point lead at the top of the SWPL following a tough 3-1 home success over Spartans at the weekend.
The former Linfield player, who came on as a substitute just after the hour mark, grabbed her third goal of the season a minute from the end of normal time to ensure her side securedc an eighth straight league win.
“Ultimately it was all about getting the three points and staying top of the league,” Megan told irishfa.com. “But it’s really nice to contribute and get the third goal to settle the game back down.”
It was only Bell’s sixth appearance of the season but she is determined to break into the Glasgow outfit’s team on a more regular basis as the season progresses.
“I started our last game against Celtic, so I know I just have to keep my head down and keep working hard and I’ll get my opportunity.”
Meanwhile, in England, Shayne Lavery scored a stunning goal in front of the BBC cameras as Blackpool disposed of non-league Bromley 2-0 in the opening round of this season’s FA Cup.
Bolton Wanderers top scorer Dion Charles found the net for the 11th time this season as the Trotters put four past Solihull Moors without reply, while Cameron McGeehan scored in Colchester United’s 3-2 defeat at Shrewsbury Town who had Carl Winchester in their starting line-up.
Former under-21 international Jamie Reid took his tally for the campaign to 12 as he hit a brace in Stevenage’s 4-3 victory over Tranmere Rovers to set up a second round tie against either Port Vale or Burton Albion.
In the Premier League, Jonny Evans again started at the heart of the Manchester United defence as Eric ten Hag’s side overcame a dogged Fulham side 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
Elsewhere, Jamal Lewis, George Saville, Paddy McNair and Trai Hume all completed 90 minutes for their respective clubs in the Championship, while in Scotland Ross McCausland was an unused substitute in Rangers' 3-1 League Cup semi-final victory over Hearts at Hampden Park.
Former Manchester United midfielder Sean Goss finally made his debut for Greek outfit Asteras Tripolis, whom he joined back in September, when he came on as a substitute late in the second half of Asteras' single goal victory away to Panetolikos.
After the game he told irishfa.com he was relieved to finally get some game time: “It was great to be back out there and good that we could come away with the win. I had to wait a bit longer than I wanted after having a bit of a setback but I really enjoyed it.
“My aim now is to get back into the Northern Ireland squad,” he added. “I really enjoyed my time away with the lads and hopefully I’ll get a good run of games now and impress Michael (O’Neill) to get a call-up for future camps.”
In the U21 Premier League, Callum Marshall continued his prolific scoring run when he bagged a brace in West Ham United’s 4-0 thumping of Liverpool. That means the 18-year-old has now managed 17 goals in just 11 outings for Steve Potts' side this season.
U21 international midfielder Justin Devenny also scored twice for Crystal Palace in their resounding 7-1 success at Leeds United and Ruairi McConville and Sean McAllister were also on the scoresheet for Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton respectively.
Finally in the U18 Premier League, 16 year-old Kieran Morrison was the star of the show as he fired home a superb hat-trick in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Middlesbrough and Reece Evans was on target for Leicester City in their victory at West Brom.
