While City's first team squad have been receiving the plaudits over the past few months following their outstanding start to the season, the ladies team have been quietly getting down to business themselves.

A superb opening month for Warren Leat and Mick Barber's team has seen them get off to their best ever start, picking up four wins from five, just two points behind leaders Shrewsbury Town, with a game in hand.

The last three games for the Potters has seen an emphatic 7-0 away win at Rea Valley thanks to a brace from Lowndes, Wright, Plant, Knight, Asher and Sutton.

The following week however, saw the ladies slip to their first, and only defeat of the season so far.

City were 3-0 down at half time, and despite a spirited fight back, goals from Harling and Key weren't enough as league leaders Shrewsbury defended valiantly to secure the three points.

Despite the defeat, they soon bounced back to winning ways with a 4-0 thrashing of Wallsall last Sunday.

Top scorer Anna Lowndes bagged another goal to give City the lead, while Key, Asher and Knight added more late on.

Joint Manager Leat says he is delighted with the way things have gone so far, saying:: "It's been a fabulous start for us, and hopefully we can continue to make progress.

"We need to keep pushing forward and build on what we have achieved so far.

"If we do that, there is no reason why we can't be up there at the end of the season pushing for promotion."