West Ham United Ladies announced a change of manager before winning through to the Essex FA County Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
A statement released by the club on Sunday morning explained that manager Mark Saunderson, who took charge at the start of the 2013/14 season, had departed.
The statement, issued by secretary Bill Robinson, said: "Today we announce with regret that the First Team Manager, Mark Saunderson has left the club with immediate effect. After speaking with the Chairman it was decided that it would be best for both parties and the Chairman accepted Mr Saunderson's resignation. We would like to thank Mark for all his hard work and wish him good luck for the future.
"Today we have an important County Cup Match and Steve Spence with the support of Julia Setford we be in charge."
Caretaker manager Spence took the Ladies to Colchester Town for a County Cup quarter-final with the Eastern Region Women's Football League side at Boxted Sports Ground.
West Ham ended an eventful day by scoring four first-half goals to complete a comfortable 4-0 victory over their hosts.
Lily Mellors put the Hammers on their way on ten minutes before Lindsey Morgan doubled the lead just three minutes later. It was 3-0 on 22 minutes through Stacey Little's goal before Morgan completed the scoring with her second nine minutes before half-time.
The Hammers will travel to C&K Basildon in the semi-finals this coming Sunday 9 March, having already defeated the same opposition on penalties in this season's FA Women's Cup second round in February.
Looking further into the future, the Hammers have eight FA Women's Premier League South fixtures remaining and will be eager to improve on their current position of eighth in the eleven-team table.