Four West Ham United women’s team loanees were in action for their respective temporary clubs over the weekend.
Jessie Stapleton netted her first goal for Nottingham Forest on Sunday, as the Tricky Trees secured an emphatic 4-1 success at home to Portsmouth in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2.
The hosts fell behind after Megan Hornby’s 12th-minute opener, but Stapleton started the comeback just before the hour mark, bundling the ball home at the back post from Vivienne Lia’s corner.
The decisive goal came 13 minutes from time, and what a goal it was. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah took aim from 40 yards and caught visiting goalkeeper Jessica Gray out with an impressive finish before Aimee Claypole and Hollie Olding wrapped up the three points in second-half stoppage time.
The win moves Forest, who travel to Durham on Sunday, up to third in the standings, four points behind leaders Charlton Athletic, who continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 2-0 victory away at Sunderland.
Hammers loanee Keira Flannery, who was on loan at the Lasses last term, played all 90 minutes for the Addicks at the Stadium of Light, as a Jodie Hutton brace secured her side a fourth league win in five matches.
Charlton host tenth-place Sheffield United on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Camila Sáez and Bristol City were also victorious with a 2-1 scoreline at home to Durham at the weekend.
The Chile international played all of the clash at Ashton Gate, while midfielder Jess Ziu featured in a matchday squad for the Robins for the first time this season.
Sophie Ingle and Vicky Losada gave the home side a two-goal advantage, and they held on after Mollie Lambert halved the deficit on 59 minutes.
The next test for Bristol City comes away at Newcastle United on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Ruby Warwick started for Barking as her side secured an emphatic 7-0 success away at Ramsey & Mistley to progress to the first round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Braces from Miquellah Meade and Laura Bunton, as well as Asanteni Charles, Lydia Wills and Niamh Pridie strikes booked Barking’s spot in the next round, which will be played on Sunday 26 October.
The Blues return to London and South East Regional Women's Premier Division action at home to Saltdean United on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Soraya Walsh and Rebekah Dowsett’s Watford continued their bright start to the Women’s National League Southern Premier Division season, picking up a 4-1 win away at Exeter City.
Both players were substitutes at Coach Road, as Maddie Perry starred with a hat-trick for Watford, who have the visit of Hashtag United to come on Sunday.
