ELLIE GERHOLD bagged four goals to help power title-chasing Redditch United Ladies to an 8-0 home win over Coventry Development Ladies in West Midlands Division One South on Sunday.
An improving Coventry side had ran their title-chasing city rivals Sphinx close in a recent Birmingham County Cup fixture, so Gary Barrell’s Reds were expecting a tough test, but they proved far too strong for their visitors at the Trico Stadium.
Gerhold’s composed finish gave the hosts a fourth-minute lead but United then missed a series of chances until Gerhold made it 2-0 on 31 minutes when she headed home following Kerstin’s Ballard corner.
Gerhold had the chance to complete her hat-trick before half time but, for the second successive match, Redditch missed a penalty as she blazed the spot kick over the bar.
Barrell made a reshuffle in attacking areas at the interval and it paid off as American Mayme Conroy’s neat finish made it 3-0 on 55 minutes before she struck again 17 minutes later.
The ability of the centre back partnership of Maisie Farr and Sian Cousins to link play through the thirds and encourage attacking full backs Abbie Bailey and Lauren Pearson to create overloads in the final third began to pay dividends against tired Coventry legs.
An attack on the right created space for Georgia Conway to make a great driving run to score in the 74th minute before Gerhold struck twice in five minutes to make it 7-0 by the 80th minute.
Amy Kendall completed the scoring in the 83rd minute and broke the Reds’ penalty jinx in the process, converting from 12 yards following a handball.
Barrell said: “Congratulations to Abbie Bailey on making her first start as a senior player, proving the term player pathway that is often thrown about as a gimmick is in existence within the ladies set-up at Redditch United.
“We played some great pass and move football and were very fluid through the thirds. We will now look to build upon this performance at home to Rugby Town on Sunday (2pm).”
The Reds go into the game in second place, three points behind leaders Gornal with two games in hand.
