City kicked off their F.A.Cup campaign at Kings Norton, Birmingham, against Leafield who are from the same Combination division, and gave a powerful performance.

The Foxes started brightly on a greasy surface, a good move by Vicky Lines who threaded the ball through to Rachel Williams, who just fired wide.

City broke again, this time through Remi Allen down the right who got behind the full back to cross low to Natasha Meade who put City in front.

Two minutes later they went further ahead, Williams broke from midfield to feed Zira Handley who cut inside her defender to hit a terrific shot into the far top corner of the net.

On the opposite flank, Meade's electric pace, outstripped the opposition on two occasions and had two swerving shots hitting the post.

Athletic had an attack but their forward shot straight at City's keeper, Sophie Le Gros.

The Foxes were untouchable at this stage as Williams played in Lauren Impey who broke from defence, flicked the ball to Allen who cracked a fierce effort home.

The flood gates opened as City relentlessly went forward, and were awarded a corner, Leah Rawle played it short to Meade who cleverly turned to chip to Williams who headed home.

City were then awarded a free-kick from 30 yards out and Rawle clipped home a fine goal just before the break.

The home side fought hard in the second period and played more defensively as City put them on the back foot. Early pressure by Lines and Katharine Glass, resulted in a City corner. Another short one by Rawle and Allen who laid the ball off to Impey who drilled it home for City's sixth.

In the dying minutes the inspirational Williams put Handley through to fire home her second, to put City into the next round.

The back four of Jade Radburn, Caz Toone, Impey and Rawle gave City the spring board needed to help them on to victory.

Report By Rehanne Skinner