West Ham United Ladies have made a successful start to the New Year, securing important victories in the FA Women's Cup and FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.
Julia Setford's side kicked-off 2013 by making the short journey to New Eltham to take on South East Counties Women's League Premier Division side London Corinthians in the FA Women's Cup second round on Sunday 6 January.
There, the Hammers' recent signings from Colchester United took centre stage, with striker Hannah Gowland opening her account for the club with a double and midfielder Lily Mellors also finding the target for her first goal in claret and blue.
Victory in Kent saw the Hammers safely through to the fourth round, where they will travel to FA Women's Premier League National Division high-fliers Leeds United for what promises to be a testing tie.
West Ham's quest to join Leeds in the National Division received a boost when Becky Merritt and Gowland scored the goals in a 2-0 Southern Division victory at Gillingham on Sunday 13 January.
The forwards both found the net in the second half at Chatham Town FC, where goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne also distinguished herself by making a series of important saves.
The Ladies return home on Sunday 20 January, when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Thurrock FC, with kick-off at 2pm.