Cora Chambers continued her remarkable scoring form with her fifth hat-trick of the season as Linfield Women defeated Crusaders Strikers 7-1 in the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership.
The forward’s treble took her goal tally to 28 for the campaign as Linfield secured another convincing victory.
Meanwhile, in the battle of the top two, league leaders Cliftonville secured a crucial 2-1 away victory against second-place Glentoran, despite a consolation goal from the hosts' Nadene Caldwell.
Barnsley striker Makenzie Kirk scored his first goal for his new club as the Tykes recorded their first league win of the campaign following a 3-1 success at Leyton Orient.
The 22-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at the League One outfit from Portsmouth, fired home his debut goal after just 15 minutes, with his manager Daniel Stendel praising the former Hearts forward’s overall performance.
“Kirk took the duels today. When he fought, he created chances,” Stendel told the club website. “Every time there is a new player coming in, especially with a striker, there’s always a need for confidence.
“It’s a good sign for Kirk, and it’s a good sign for us.”
Northern Ireland international Cameron McGeehan also scored for the Yorkshire outfit, converting a second-half penalty for his first league goal since rejoining the club this summer.
Also opening his account for the season was Dion Charles, who netted the second goal in Blackpool’s 4-0 win against Peterborough United at Bloomfield Road, lifting them to the top of League One on goal difference.
Stevenage drew 2–2 with Grant McCann’s Doncaster Rovers in League One, with Josh Magennis opening the scoring for the hosts with his second goal of the season. The match also saw under-21 international Darren Robinson make his first start of the campaign for the visitors.
In the Championship, winger Paul Smyth set QPR on their way to a 2-1 success at Blackburn Rovers skipper Jimmy Dunne hitting the winner for the west-London side.
QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles made an outstanding second-half save, with theon-loan netminderlater admitting he is thoroughlyenjoying life at Loftus Road.
“I’m just happy to contribute to the win,” he told the QPR website. “I’ve loved every minute so far. It feels like I’ve been here forever, not just playing games, but training as well, it’s such a sociable group.
In the Premier League, three Northern Ireland internationals featured at the Stadium of Light as Trai Hume and Daniel Ballard helped Sunderland secure their first win of the season, a 1-0 victory over a Fulham side that introduced Shea Charles for the final 22 minutes.
Paddy McNair remained an unused substitute as Hull City secured a 1–0 away victory against fellow promoted side Coventry City, making it two wins from two for the Tigers.
Fresh from signing a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Jamie Donley was thrown straight into Luton Town’s starting line-up, who also included Callum Marshall, only to suffer a 5-2 away defeat against Mansfield Town.
In transfer news, Jamie Reid has signed a two-year deal with Reading for an undisclosed fee, bringing his five-year spell with Stevenage to an end. During his time with the club, Reid helped secure promotion from League Two, was named in the League One Team of the Season and scored 69 goals in 245 appearances.
