The Coventry City Ladies cruised to their 7th straight league win away to lowly Sheffield United. The 7-1 canter lifted the Sky Blues to the heady heights of the top of the Midland Women's Combination League and lifted the gloom a day after their male counterparts suffered a crushing 5-0 F.A. Cup defeat.
Midfield maestro Danni Saulter was again instrumental for the Sky Blues. As well as 2 assists, her 2 goals give her a total of 5 in the last three matches. It was Saulter's midfield partner Kelly Henson who got the ball rolling though with a fine run and left foot shot low into the bottom corner on 18 minutes.
The Blades weren't about to roll over though and responded well. Having only managed 5 goals in their 14 league matches to date the Sky Blues were shocked to concede an equaliser as Zoe Beresford was able to outpace Ali Forbes and stride from the halfway line to coolly slot the ball past the onrushing Williamson.
Henson restored Coventry's lead with a well struck free-kick from a central position 22 yards from goal, with the keeper stranded Henson's lobbed effort went in off the underside of the crossbar ensuring that City went in with a half time lead.
A more assured looking Coventry dominated the second half attacking in waves and overwhelming Sheffield. The versatile Kerry Packer split the Blades back line with a through ball to Saulter who calmly slid past the keeper for her first of the day. 13 minutes later and it was the turn of Katie Moran, the right sided midfielder drifted into the box and was picked out by Pinner. Moran had time to control, turn and unleash an unstoppable effort into the bottom left corner from close range.
The final quarter of an hour saw the Sky Blues convert their dominance into 3 more goals. First the red hot Saulter fired in her second after good work by Willis and neat step over from Dermody. Sharad then opened her account for the season displaying great close control to bing down Henson's cross with her right foot and dispatch a floated effort with her left.
Kelly-Ann Willis' hard work was rewarded 5 minutes from time when Saulter played a well weighted ball in from the left allowing the forward to rifle in a powerful strike for City's seventh.
Next week should see a far sterner test for the Sky Blues as they host a stingy Wolves side that boasts the divisions second best defensive record, allowing just 11 goals. Leicester Women will expect to keep the pressure on as they host Sheffield United.
Team: Wiliamson, Pinner (O'Sullivan), Lowe, Packer, Sharad, Forbes (Lynch 28), Wilcox (Dermody 64), Moran, Willis, Saulter, Henson.