A hat-trick from Nikita Parris, plus goals from Jane Ross (2), Tessel Middag, Daphne Corboz and Jill Scott secured the win against the Super League 2 outfit, returning the Blues to winning ways.
Following two successive draws with Liverpool in the Super League, manager Nick Cushing opted to ring the changes for the clash at Sutton Coldfield
Marie Hourihan, Keira Walsh and Nikita Parris replaced Karen Bardsley, Jennifer Beattie and Toni Duggan, while Megan Campbell and Tessel Middag made their first starts in place of Abbie McManus and Daphne Corboz.
City started brightly and were handed a gift within three minutes, as Elisha N’Dow was penalised for handball in the area. Parris stepped up to convert the spot-kick and settle any early nerves of an upset.
Middag then saw an effort saved from Kosovare Asllani’s cut-back and Parris forced Grace Moloney into a stop with a driven attempt.
The Blues’ lead was doubled with another penalty just after the quarter-hour mark – once again, courtesy of another handball. This time it was Chloe Jones, who thwarted Ross’ effort on the line illegally and the defender was given her marching orders.
The Scottish striker stepped up to bag her second in successive games, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Within a minute, the contest was effectively ended as Parris netted her second, volleying in Middag’s cross at the backpost.
The Dutch new recruit continued to impress on just her second appearance. The Dutch star marked her full debut with a goal, hooking in Parris’ head back, after Ross had been denied from close range by Sarah Mayling.
Parris then had an effort pushed onto the bar and the returning Walsh struck a fine half-volley just over before Middag almost made it five with a nifty backheel which was scrambled away off the line in the last action of the opening 45.
The Blues continued where they left off after the break. Asllani nearly got in on the act but blazed over and Middag drilled inches wide.
City added their fifth just before the hour as Parris completed her hat-trick, smashing home Campbell’s cross to the backpost.
Moloney then did well to prevent Asllani and Ross from extending the lead, while at the other end Hourihan was called into action to deny Alyce Hinchcliffe.
The goal of the game arrived next as Corboz let fly from the edge of the area, unleashing a screamer into the top corner.
Just when the scoring looked to be completed, the visitors bagged two in injury time, as Scott stooped to head across Moloney before Ross turned and struck a low effort into the bottom corner to cap an incredible day.
Next up, the WSL leaders return to league action with a trip to Notts County on 24 July.
