Premier League National Division

COVENTRY City Ladies moved to the top of the Women's Premier League for the first time in their history after getting the better of local rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.

Goals from Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Maz Gauntlet ensured the Sky Blues picked up their fourth consecutive victory of the season and coach Paul Cudby was understandably delighted to have come away with another three points.

"I thought we were excellent from start to finish," said Cudby. "Every week our performances have been steadily improving and this week was another step forward.

"Aston Villa are a strong team with some good players; our passing, and our ability to create and take chances was on another level.

"I felt defensively we were solid throughout again. To come away to a team that hadn't conceded a goal, score two and keep a clean sheet was also very pleasing."

Cudby's side picked up where they left off last week following their 3-1 victory over Sunderland and were ahead after just five minutes thanks to Sweetman-Kirk.

The Sky Blues midfielder picked up a loose ball and fired an unstoppable 20-yard shot into the top corner of the net.

Coventry's in-form striker, Gauntlett, almost doubled the visitor's lead moments later but she could only watch as her effort from close range sailed just past Walsh's right-hand post.

Sue Wood was called into action to deny Kelly Clarke at the other end before Kez Manley flicked a Helen Dermody free-kick against the cross bar.

The second half proved to be more of the same after the re-start as Coventry pushed forward in search of a second and they got their just reward before the hour mark.

Midfielder Emily Simpkins picked out Gauntlett from a corner and the club's top goalscorer made no mistake in directing her header past Walsh for her fourth goal of the campaign.

Substitute Crissy Torkildsen volleyed over late on but it finished 2-0 to the Sky Blues who overtake Leeds United at the top of the table and face Cardiff City at home this Sunday.

Team: Wood, Steele, Ward, Simpkins, Lynch, Manley, Formaston (Barber 66), Dermody (Torkildsen 75), Gauntlett, Sweetman-Kirk, Durrant

Subs not used - Wilcox, Butler,Phillipowsky.

Read the BBC report by clicking on the following link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14966343.stm