Promoted clubs Millwall Lionesses and Sunderland both collected victories on the opening day of the new Women's Premier League season.
Following eight years in the Southern Division, the Lionesses celebrated their return to the top flight with a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
The Black Cats, last season's FA Cup runners-up as well as Northern Division champions, won 2-0 at Bristol Academy.
Birmingham City beat Watford 4-0 while Blackburn drew 1-1 at Doncaster Belles.
None of last season's top three teams, Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea, were in action because of England's preparations for Euro 2009 in Finland.
Bristol Academy 0-2 Sunderland
After two seasons out of the top flight, Sunderland returned with a bang when Nicola Devine gave them a second-minute lead.
An evenly balanced game of few chances followed, but Natalie Gutteridge wrapped up victory for the visitors with a 65th-minute strike.
Millwall Lionesses 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Millwall had to battle long and hard for victory against a Nottingham Forest side playing only their second season of top-flight football.
Forest looked set for a point until Carly Eagles, four minutes from time, drove home the winner after Ann-Marie Heatherson's cross had been only half-cleared.
Birmingham City 4-0 Watford
Three goals in a 10-minute spell set Birmingham up for victory with an impressive start to the season.
Dannii Bird and Heather Scheuber both scored in the final five minutes of the first half before Sian Larkin hit the third goal five minutes after the break.
Striker Kerry Bartlett, a close season signing from Bristol Academy, completed the scoring in the last minute.
Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
England Under-20 midfielder Rachel Williams put the Belles ahead in the 23rd minute of an evenly fought contest.
A 66th-minute equaliser by new striker Katy Ward, signed from Birmingham, brought Blackburn a deserved point.
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