Robyn James and Hazannah Parnell bagged two goals apiece as Coventry City Ladies tightened their grip on top spot in the Midland Women's Combination League with a comprehensive 4-0 win at Crewe on Sunday. Second place Sporting Club Albion were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers to leave the Sky Blues some 16 points clear in the race for promotion, meaning they require just 12 more points from their final six games to secure the title.
With Emily Hanson out injured and the returning Leanne McKenna starting on the bench, there was an opportunity for combative youngster Stacey Christie to start alongside Nikki Miles in midfield, and it was Christie who had City's first strike at goal with a 20 yard effort that fizzed just past the right hand post. Natalie Wilcox, James and Parnell all had shots well saved by Crewe's Georgina Perry in a lively opening spell for the Sky Blues, but it was the home side that went closest to scoring on the quarter hour when Katy Connell's shot from the edge of the box took a slight deflection before cannoning back off the crossbar.
Minutes later though the Sky Blues took the lead following a surging run and cross by Jade Formaston that Helen Dermody lobbed back in for Robyn James to nod in at the far post. On the half hour Dermody controlled Natasha Lynch's long ball to the edge of the area and blasted goalwards only for Perry to make an excellent reaction save pushing over the bar. There was nothing Perry could do to stop Hazannah Parnell's well placed drive into the bottom corner from 22 yards though, after the home defence was prised open by Gemma Clarke's through ball.
On the stroke of half time Dermody brought down Jade Whitfield's cross from deep and Parnell volleyed left footed into the roof of the net from 10 yards. The Sky Blues continued to take the game to Crewe after the re-start with Formaston and Dermody going inches wide, but despite their dominance the Sky Blues were struggling to add to the goal tally that their creative play deserved. Perry was in inspired form between the sticks for the home side with a succession of fine saves as City piled on the pressure. Her defence too was in stubborn mood, the reliable Sinead Butler and Claire Beresford making goal line clearances when Perry was beaten.
Scott Riddell, ably deputising for absent Manager Paul Cudby, brought on Nicole Evans, Sophie Newnes and McKenna as the Sky Blues went up a gear, the influential McKenna in particular driving them forward as Crewe spent the final 20 minutes camped in and around their own penalty area. It wasn't until the 89th minute though that City made it 4-0, when Perry made her only mistake in an otherwise fine afternoons work when she spilled Formaston's 20 yard cross shot and James toe poked in the loose ball at the far post.
Riddell and fellow Coach Rob Williams were clearly very pleased with both the performance and result "we played very well and always looked a threat going forward" boasted Riddell "we defended as a team from front to back and earned a well deserved clean sheet as well as another vital three points. I wouldn't want to single anyone out from that performance though have to say that Parnell's strikes were straight out of the top drawer".
The Sky Blues have a midweek clash with former Manager Stuart Wilson and his Birmingham City side on Thursday evening. The game will be played at Stratford Town as the Blues look to reclaim the title they lost to Williams' Aston Villa side last season. City return to league action next week with a trip to Oswestry to face a struggling TNS side that have the second worst defence in the Midland's Combination League.
Team: - Manca; Whitfield (Newnes 59), Lynch (c), Clarke, Wilcox; Formaston, N. Miles, Christie (McKenna 67), Dermody; James, Parnell (Evans 72).
Subs Not Used: - Morgan, Archibald
Goals: - James (20, 89); Parnell (40, 44).
Booked: - Christie.
Sent Off: - None.