Coventry City Ladies achieved their 9th straight league win in a relatively comfortable fashion defeating Alfreton Town 5-2. Danni Saulter scored twice for the fourth consecutive game and has 9 of Coventry's 21 goals over the past 5 matches. England under 17 starlet Jade Formaston marked her return to the starting line up with a double also as Coventry scored 3 times in 5 second half minutes to blow away their shell-shocked opponents.
On an afternoon with difficult conditions control was always likely to be an issue. A fierce cross field wind and a solid playing surface didn't allow the Sky Blues to settle into their attractive brand of attacking football. It would appear, however, that no force of nature could slow the rampaging Saulter, It was her 10th minute cross that led to Coventry's opener. Catherine Davey could only head the ball against her own post, Jade Formaston alerted picked up the rebound and laid the ball back to Saulter who took one touch and then hammered a shot across goal finding the far corner.
The two linked up again in the 21st minute as this time Saulter turned provider, picking out Formaston in a similar position to the first goal. 'Formo's' blistering effort left Rebecca Haslam no chance in the Alfreton goal as it flew past her right hand into the back of the net. Not content to roll over, Samantha Griffiths buoyed her team with some hard work along the right sideline driving Alfreton forward in search of a way back into the game. Her efforts were to no avail though as a sturdy City backline held out until halftime and a second half goal blitz killed off any challenge.
Saulter again got the ball rolling after the re-start. Breaking free down the right in the 53rd minute and smashing the ball into the roof of the net from what appeared to be an impossible angle. Just 2 minutes later Kirsty O'Sullivan's through ball allowed Formaston the time and space to pick her spot low to the keeper's right. City completed their glut of goals in the 57th minute when lone striker Kelly-Ann Willis ran onto Jenni Lowe's angled pass, advanced on goal and made no mistake with a clinical finish into the bottom left corner from 10 yards out.
With the pressure seemingly off, Manager Stuart Wilson was able to hand a debut to 16 year old Centre Of Excellence graduate Nicole Tinto replacing the free-scoring Saulter. As the game began to peter out Coventry's play became increasingly sloppy, gifting possession to Alfreton. It took 2 goals in 2 minutes to snap the Sky Blues back into life. Both goals were the result of corners; first, substitute Louise Naylor found herself alone in the box and was able to convert a free header from five yards out before Coventry conceded another corner almost straight from their kick off. City failed to clear the inswinging effort and a game of pinball ensued in the area before an unfortunate deflection off centre half Kelly Pinner ended up in the back of the net.
Coventry were maybe fortunate to survive the late rally as a third goal was ruled out for a foul on City keeper Kerry Williamson. The Sky Blues did manage to regain their composure and finished strongly, Willis, Formaston and Tinto all went close before the final whistle. Away wins for both the Leicester City Women and WBA keep the pressure on the Sky Blues as they sit 1 and 3 points back respectively. Coventry go in search of a tenth straight win next week when they visit second bottom Hereford Pegasus.
Team: K.Williamson, K.Pinner, J.Lowe, K. O'Sullivan, N. Lynch, L. Sharad (A. Forbes 69), J. Formaston, K. Henson, KA.Willis, Saulter (N. Tinto 62), N.Wilcox (H. Dermody 69)