Four of West Ham United women’s team’s loanees were in action for their respective temporary clubs at the weekend.
Shannon Cooke got her Birmingham City stay off to the perfect start as she helped the Blues claim a 1-0 Barclays Women's Championship victory against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Starting the fixture on her 25th birthday, Cooke was celebrating with her side after just seven minutes when Lee Geum-min put the visitors ahead.
The centre-back started the move with an incisive pass infield to Christie Harrison-Murray, whose long ball over the top found Simone Magill. The forward rounded the Sunderland goalkeeper before teeing up Geum-min, who found the top-right corner with aplomb.
Cooke played all of the clash against Sunderland, as she faced her fellow West Ham loanees Jessie Stapleton and Keira Flannery.
The former started at the back for the Lasses, but was unfortunately withdrawn through injury in the 23rd minute. Meanwhile, Melanie Reay introduced Flannery to proceedings with six minutes of normal time to play, but she was unable to help conjure up an equaliser for the home side.
The victory sees Birmingham remain at the top of the Barclays Women’s Championship standings with a one-point advantage over second-placed London City Lionesses, who have a game in hand.
The Lasses sit sixth after the defeat, but only five points off the summit.
Elsewhere, Macey Nicholls was on the scoresheet for Hashtag United as they continued their quest for promotion from the FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division with a blistering 3-0 win at home to AFC Wimbledon.
Midfielder Nicholls opened the scoring after just four minutes following a short corner, while Sammy Rowland and Grace Gillard were also on target in the first half to secure victory for the Tags. Fellow Hammers loanee Ellie Moore was named on the substitutes’ bench.
Hashtag are in a promising position at the top of the standings, boasting a five-point lead over second-placed Exeter City.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Katelin Talbert was an unused substitute in Aston Villa’s 1-0 Barclays Women’s Super League defeat to Chelsea, who were victorious courtesy of a late Sarah Mayling own-goal.
