Paul Cudby and his promotion chasing Coventry City Ladies bounced back from their midweek County Cup exit to thump Stoke City 4-0 on their own patch. Two own goals as well as wonder strikes from Emily Hanson and Helen Dermody helped City stretch their lead at the top of the table back to a commanding ten points.
Coventry were sluggish in the opening exchanges as they struggled to get over their exertions from the 3-2 defeat at the hands of Birmingham less than three days earlier. It wasn't until just before the break that City put together a chance of note, Jade Formaston's 41st minute cross to the far post, where Robyn James was lurking, was turned in by a Stoke defender during a goalmouth melee.
The Sky Blues added their second in the 54th minute from a Formaston corner. Gemma Clarke was beaten to the ball by a defender but she could only divert it into her own net as City began to show the form that has them in the driving seat for the Midland Combination title.
If the first two goals were perhaps a little fortuitous the third was pure quality, Dermody picked out Hanson from the halfway line and powerful midfielder sent a thunderous drive into the roof of the net from 30 yards out. Hanson turned provider for the final goal as her ball round the back found James on the by-line who pulled the back to the edge of the box for Dermody to rifle her twelfth goal of the season.
With the match beyond their hosts, Coventry had the luxury of introducing Katie Singleton as the striker completed a remarkable return from the ACL injury that she sustained last season. "Katie looked lively and the gave the defence some problems with her pace" noted Cudby, continuing "in the first half we lacked quality, the second half was much better, we moved the ball well, created lots of chances and there was really only one team in it".
Team: - Manca; Wilcox, Lynch (c), Clarke, Newnes (Whitfield 57); Formaston (N. Miles 66), Hanson, McKenna, Dermody; Evans (Singleton 78), James.
Subs Not Used: - Morgan, Christie.
Goals: - Own Goal (41, 54), Hanson (65), Dermody (88).
Booked: - None.
Sent Off: - None.