Northern Ireland attacking midfielder Lauren Wade scored her first goal of the new campaign as Hearts Women defeated Motherwell Women 3-0 at the weekend.
After taking just one point from their opening two league games, the Edinburgh outfit have now won their last three games on the bounce to put them in fourth place in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Speaking to irishfa.com, Wade, who has won 75 caps for her country, said: “I think the last few games we’ve worked hard to keep disciplined and to be more consistent over the full 90 minutes.
“We are now getting momentum with wins and the clean sheets, which has helped us build more confidence each week.
“I haven’t set myself any goals target this season, but obviously getting on the scoresheet is a bonus as I want to help the team any way I can. I’m just taking it one game at a time.”
In Women’s Super League 2 Simone Magill, who scored twice last weekend, provided an assist for Birmingham City’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Sunderland, while former U19 international Leyla McFarland came on as a substitute in Durham Women’s home defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Conor Bradley came on at half-time to help Liverpool in their 1-0 injury-time win at Burnley. Justin Devenny and Trai Hume featured for Crystal Palace and Sunderland respectively as they shared the points in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.
In the Championship Brodie Spencer, who missed the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany with an ankle injury, was an unused substitute for Oxford United, however there were starts for Ali McCann (Preston North End), Isaac Price (West Brom), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City) and Shea Charles (Southampton).
In League Two, Shayne Lavery, who has missed the first eight matches of the season with a hamstring injury, was an unused substitute for Cambridge United who drew 1-1 at Grimsby Town.
Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who won his 50th senior cap against Germany, and Dale Taylor both played the full 90 minutes for Blackpool as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Northampton Town whose goal was scored by Northern Ireland international Cameron McGeehan.
There was a debut for Northern Ireland U21s goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley, on loan from Everton, as he kept a clean sheet for National League North side Marine who defeated Newcastle Blue Star 2-0 in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.
Finally, former Dungannon Swifts midfielder Oisin Smyth, who joined Partick Thistle on a season-long loan from St Mirren last week, made his debut as a second half substitute as the Jags chalked up a 2-1 home win over Airdrieonians in the Scottish Championship.
