Coventry City Ladies romped to a 7-1 win over Leicester City as they returned to league action after a six week break for cup ties and the festive period. Leanne McKenna crowned a virtuoso performance with a stoppage time goal while Emily Hanson and debutant Kate Ward chipped in with two apiece, Robyn James and Gemma Clarke also made the scoresheet as City hit seven for the second time in their last three games.
When Hanson broke the deadlock as early as the fifth minute it looked like the Sky Blues were ready to fill their boots against a struggling Foxes side who sit just a point above relegation. Whilst Coventry had dominated the early proceedings there was an element of luck about their opener, Hanson's cross for James at the far post sailed over Lucy Clarke and into the net.
City continued to create chances with McKenna and James going close whilst Hanson crashed a shot against the crossbar from 25 yards out. Leicester snatched an equaliser much against the run of play as they were awarded a contentious decision, Helen Dermody being adjudged to have handled in the 31st minute. Erica Preston floated in the resultant free kick with Beth Poppleton rising highest to head in from close range.
The seeming injustice rocked the Sky Blues and they failed to find their stride again before the break, going in level despite having far the best of the opening 45 minutes. It wouldn't take long for City to regain their swagger, two goals in the first six minutes after the restart broke Leicester's stubborn resistance. Jade Formaston stretched to reach a Kelly Henson pass and shot against the far post, James was on hand to pounce on the rebound and fire City back into the lead. Just one minute later Clarke out jumped everyone to head the Sky Blues' third from a Dermody corner in the 51st minute.
Dermody laid on the fourth as well, it was her 76th minute through ball that released Hanson to slot past Clarke for her second of the day. Kate Ward took over from there, introduced in the 65th minute, the winger burst through to meet Hasanah Parnell's cross and fire home her first for the club in the 81st minute. Just three minutes later Ward doubled her tally, the ammunition supplied this time by the sublime McKenna. It perhaps should've been a memorable hat-trick but Ward headed James' cross narrowly wide two minutes from time.
McKenna got the reward for her industrious performance when she cut in off the left and was allowed to move to the edge of the area where she drove over Clarke to cap City's memorable start to 2010. With no other games played in the Midlands Combination League today City stretched their lead to eight points over Sporting Club Albion. A short trip to face Leafield Athletic awaits the Sky Blues next week, the two have met twice already this season with City winning 5-2 and more recently 7-0.
Team: - Manca; Whitfield, Lynch, Clarke, H. Miles; Formaston (Parnell 65), McKenna, Henson (Ward 65), Dermody (N. Miles 77); Hanson, James.
Subs Not Used: - Morgan, Archibald.
Goals: - Hanson (5, 76), James (50), Clarke (51) Ward (81, 84), McKenna (90+2).
Booked: - Formaston.
Sent Off: - None.