Several West Ham United players currently out on loan were in action over the weekend, gaining valuable first-team experience across Scotland and Spain.
Goalkeeper Katie O’Hanlon and defender Selin Cemal both featured from the start for Aberdeen in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, although the Dons slipped to a 3-1 defeat away at Spartans on Sunday.
Aberdeen made the perfect start when former West Ham player Soraya Walsh fired them in front, but the hosts responded strongly and eventually turned the game around to secure all three points in Edinburgh.
The result leaves Aberdeen sitting ninth in the SWPL table ahead of a daunting trip to league leaders Rangers on Sunday 20 September. Rangers have made a flawless start to the campaign, winning each of their opening four matches.
In Spain, midfielder Sarah Brasero was introduced at half-time as Deportivo Alavés travelled to face Atlético Madrid in Liga F.
The visitors looked set to earn a valuable point in the Spanish capital before heartbreak struck deep into stoppage time. Synne Jensen found the winner for Atlético in the opening minute of added time at the end of the second half, condemning Alavés to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Brasero and her teammates will now look to respond when Granada visit on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 11am BST.
Elsewhere, Halle Houssein was named among the substitutes for Sheffield United as the Blades kicked off their Barclays Women's Super League 2 campaign against Leicester City at Bramall Lane.
The midfielder was not called upon during the match as Leicester, relegated from the WSL last season, began life in the second tier with a 1-0 victory. An unfortunate own goal from Leanne Cowan early in the second half proved enough to separate the two sides.
All four players continue to gain important experience at senior level as they look to further their development away from east London.
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