The Wildcats kicked-off the 2018/19 season in fine fashion courtesy of a 2-0 win over Sheffield United.
Goals from Becky Salicki and Emily Roberts proved enough to overcome the league newcomers in what was the first ever game in the newly-rebranded FA Women’s Championship.
Lee Sanders made two changes from the team that beat Everton last weekend, bringing in Hannah Reid and Becky Salicki for Megan Borthwick and Lauren Briggs.
And the Wildcats started brightly, with Emily Roberts seeing her goal-bound effort cleared at the last moment by Ellie Fletcher.
Rachel Lee had perhaps the best chance of the first half but slid her effort wide from inside the box as the visitors saw the better opportunities.
Sam Tierney sent a half-volley over the top of the Durham crossbar early in the second period but 12 minutes after the interval the away side opened the scoring.
From a Beth Hepple corner the ball was flicked on and Becky Salicki nodded home from close range.
Hannah Reid was called upon for the first time late on as she made a fine stop from Sheffield substitute Alethea Paul, whose powerful effort was tipped away from goal.
Zoe Ness sent a half-volley just wide at the other end and then a Roberts strike was turned away by Nikki Davies.
Chloe Dixon lobbed Reid only to see the ball roll wide and at the end of the 90 minutes, Tania Marsden headed just over.
The miss was swiftly punished, as Roberts scored on the rebound after the initial shot from Nicki Gears was saved.