City beat a spirited Sheffield United team who are anchored at the bottom of the table.

The Foxes started at a quick tempo, midfielder Rachel Williams hitting the Blades woodwork early on after a flying start.

A few minutes later a lovely weighted pass from the left by Leah Rawle put centre forward, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, through who coolly slotted home with a confident finish.

The Foxes were all eager on the ball with further efforts by Louise Ward, Zira Handley and Williams all going wide.

Then Lauren Impey crashed a thunderous header against the bar after a good cross by Handley. The flood gates started to open for City. A Natasha Meade half volley put them two up , then minutes later a wonderful run by the inspirational Williams who had a fantastic game picked the ball up on the centre circle, and split the United defence with a pin point pass to find Sweetman-Kirk who finished superbly for her second.

Then Meade cut into the box from the right but was upended and Williams duly obliged with the spot kick making it 4 - 0 at half time.

After the break the Blades tried to stem the flow of City with a rear guard action and to their credit they battled away.

But City came forward again, this time Meade on the left put the ball into the path of Williams who sped at the United defence then unselfishly pushed it wide of the keeper for Sweetman-Kirk to complete her hat-trick.

Williams again was pulling the strings as she outwitted the United defence to chip the keeper for her second of the match.

The Sheffield outfit got a consolation goal for their persistency as they finished the move smartly when City were caught out on a break.

City picked up the pace again and Williams again sprayed the ball out to Handley who rounded the full-back to smash home a fine effort. Remi Allen then came on for the last 10 minutes after being away with the England U19's in Chile and made an impact after being played through by Hannah Barrett and slid home number eight for City. Nat Reay completed the rout finishing a cross from Handley from close range.

A good all round performance by City who are keeping the pressure on in the league. City face Loughborough Students on Sunday 2nd March at Loughborough University 2pm Kick off.

Squad - Fran Williams, Rachel Williams (C), Leah Rawle, Lauren Impey, Louise Ward, Harriet Crofts, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Natasha Meade, Zira Handley, Jade Radburn, Nicole Nymoen, Remi Allen, Hannah Barrett, Natalie Reay.

Report By Rehanne Skinner