The Subway Players Cup is back, and with it came the chance for a first look at some of the summer's new arrivals. Fifteen players made their debuts across the opening round of fixtures, from a former England number one finally getting her first minutes at London City Lionesses to a left-back who marked her Manchester United bow with a goal and two assists in a 10-1 rout.
Goalkeepers dominated. With squads rotating heavily, seven clubs handed a first start to a new number one, including Everton's Rylee Foster, who has now played for both Merseyside sides. Here's every debutant from the opening round, club by club.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford
Crystal Palace
Caitlin Cosme
Joining Crystal Palace after two years with French club Nantes, Caitlin Cosme marked her debut with a clean sheet as part of her new side’s back three.
The Puerto Rico international played the whole game at the VBS Community Stadium as Palace recovered from Sunday’s 7-0 Barclays Women’s Super League drubbing by Tottenham Hotspur.
Watford
Naomi Williams
Former Bristol City and Arsenal goalkeeper Naomi Williams started between the sticks as she got her first run-out since playing for Bristol City against Spurs in this competition last November.
The 21-year-old played the first half of Watford’s trip to South London, impressing in keeping Palace at bay.
Everton 2-0 Birmingham
Everton
Rylee Foster
Another of the numerous goalkeeping debutants in the first round of Subway Players Cup fixtures, Rylee Foster has now turned out for Everton and local rivals Liverpool.
Returning to England after a stint with Halifax Tides in her native Canada, Foster will have been delighted with a clean sheet in her first outing for the Toffees.
Birmingham
Jade Rastocle
A summer signing from French outfit Montpellier, Jade Rastocle came off the bench for her Birmingham City debut.
Having been an unused substitute in her team’s last two BWSL games, the 22-year-old played the last 30 minutes at Goodison Park.
Liverpool 4-2 Sunderland
Liverpool
Liverpool
Midfielder Izzie Breen enjoyed a second-half substitute cameo as Liverpool saw off Sunderland at the St Helens Stadium.
The 18-year-old has represented England up to U17 level and previously captained her country’s U16 side.
Man United 10-1 Sheffield United
Man United
Janina Leitzig, Jess Simpson, Scarlett Hill
What a night on which to make your debut! Janina Leitzig, Jess Simpson and Scarlett Hill all made their Manchester United bow as Eva Olid’s team demolished Sheffield United 10-1 at the Progress with Unity Stadium.
Ex-Leicester City goalkeeper Leitzig had very little to do but have been frustrated not to keep a clean sheet, the visitors pulling a goal back when they already 9-0 down.
Meanwhile, having stepped up from WSL2 side Southampton, left-back Jess Simpson was heavily involved, scoring Man United’s eighth goal and providing two assists.
And Wales defender Scarlett Hill, who signed her first professional contract with United this summer, came on for the second half against the club where she spent the latter part of last season on loan.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest
Leticia McKenna
Midfielder Leticia McKenna came on for the final 28 minutes of Nottingham Forest’s defeat away to Aston Villa.
Playing in England for the first time, the 24-year-old Australian, who scored on her senior international debut in April, joined Forest earlier this month after five years with Melbourne City.
Spurs 0-0 West Ham (3-4 on pens)
Spurs
Selma Panengstuen
Also among the teams taking the opportunity to rotate in goal, Tottenham Hotspur handed a debut to summer signing Selma Panengstuen.
Brought in from Norwegian outfit Brann, Panengstuen, who has been capped by Norway at senior level, shut out West Ham United in 90 minutes at the BetWright Stadium before Spurs lost narrowly on penalties.
Leicester 0-2 London City Lionesses
Leicester
Ffion Bowen
Ffion Bowen was brought on for her first Leicester City first-team appearance 15 minutes from time in their home loss to London City Lionesses.
The 18-year-old Welsh midfielder helped Leicester to last season’s U21 PGA Division Two title.
London City Lionesses
Mary Earps
One of the biggest names to return to the BWSL this summer, former England No.1 Mary Earps didn’t go straight into London City Lionesses’ starting 11.
But the experienced shot-stopper, back in her homeland after two years at Paris Saint-Germain, will have been delighted with a clean sheet on her debut for Eder Maestre’s side.
Brighton 4-0 Charlton
Charlton
Anna Koivunen
Finland ‘keeper Anna Koivunen had had to watch from the bench since moving to Charlton Athletic, but she was given the gloves for the Addicks’ trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Capped six times by her country, Koivunen completed her switch to Charlton from Swedish side Djurgardens in July.