Coventry City Ladies romped to a lopsided 6-0 victory over Loughborough Foxes to maintain their vicelike grip on top spot in the Midland Women's Combination League. Sophie Newnes marked an impressive debut with the opener for City before Emily Hanson scored her fifth goal in the past four games. Leanne McKenna, Helen Dermody, Natasha Lynch and Hazannah Parnell each added one apiece to underline the Sky Blues' dominance. Sarah Morgan was a virtual spectator in Coventry's net as the Foxes were held to just one shot on goal.
Stepping in for the unavailable Hannah Miles, Newnes looked as comfortable striding forward as she did defending. The combative left back looked assured on the ball and linked up well with top-scorer Dermody, overlapping at every opportunity. A neat one-two with Hanson set her racing down the left touchline in the thirteenth minute and her swirling cross looked goal bound as Nicola Dodd could only help the ball into her own net.
Dermody set up the second nine minutes later, intercepting a clearance, she raced forward and picked out Hanson who had time and space to take a touch and strike a thunderous effort into the right hand corner from 25 yards out. There was an element of good fortune about City's third, Dermody's wayward effort went out for a goal kick but the Sky Blues were inexplicably awarded a 40th minute corner that McKenna met and smashed home despite the best effort of Jo Maher who couldn't prevent the ball crossing the line.
Five minutes after the break Dermody struck her tenth of the season, Hanson provided a pinpoint cross that the winger rose highest to head home. Eight minutes later Captain Natasha Lynch got in on the act, it was her lone strike that handed City a 1-0 win at home to the Foxes on opening day back in September. Then it was a direct free kick, this time it was a header at the far post from a Dermody corner. City peppered the home side's goal with efforts late on, only to be frustrated by Dodd, who had made a spectacular diving save to deny Jade Formaston in the first half.
Cherelle Archibald was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, twice denied by Dodd she also glanced a header wide with what looked to be her easiest chance. Parnell, who entered the fray alongside Archibald, played a superb one-two with her strike partner and finished off a tremendous move with an assured strike that would prove to be the last kick of the game. City can expect a much sterner test next week with the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves are the only team to take points off City this season, a nil-nil draw in October is the only blemish on the Sky Blues' record so far. Last year's meeting essentially killed off City's title aspirations as the visitors raced into a 4-0 first half lead, hanging on for a 4-2 victory and virtually handing Derby County the title. The game is at Coventry University's Westwood Heath Sports Grounds, kick off is scheduled for 14:00.
Team: - Morgan; Whitfield, Lynch (c), McKenna, Newnes; Formaston, Henson, N. Miles (Christie 59), Dermody; Hanson (Archibald 59), James (Parnell 59).
Subs Not Used: - Manca, Lewycky.
Goals: - Newnes (13), Hanson (22), McKenna (40), Dermody (50), Lynch (58), Parnell (90).
Booked: - Hanson.
Sent Off: - None.