Tierney Double Seals Deserved Durham Win
Following last weekend’s emphatic 7-0 win over London Bees, manager Jonathan Morgan made only one change to the starting XI, with Shannon O’Brien – the scorer of a brace in that triumph – coming in for Millie Farrow.
Shaping up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, the Foxes saw Charlie Devlin have a strike blocked on the edge of the box after Kirstie Levell had got down well to save from Sarah Robson.
The lively Hannah Cain then swung in a corner, finding the head of Sam Tierney, who flicked narrowly wide of the mark with nine minutes gone in Durham.
On 20 minutes, City were forced into making their first substitution of the match as Remi Allen had to be replaced by Natasha Flint after picking up a knock.
There was no easing up from the visiting side, who were just inches away from taking the lead when Megan Borthwick tipped Cain's low attempt behind just before the half-hour mark.
A final goalscoring opportunity of the opening period fell to Ashleigh Plumptre, who nodded wide of Borthwick's right-hand post in stoppage time.
Determined to build on their first-half display, the Foxes made a superb start to the second 45 minutes as Tierney slammed a volley into the back of the net to open the scoring on 48 minutes.
Her first goal for the Club allowed Leicester to settle into the game, but that wasn't the end of their goalscoring exploits as Tierney was there again with 61 minutes played to head in Devlin's cross to double her side's advantage.
Winger Paige Bailey-Gayle replaced Lachante Paul with 24 minutes remaining at Maiden Castle, and the No.17's first major involvement saw her shoot wide from a difficult angle.
Some neat goalkeeping from Levell then saw her race off her line to get to the ball ahead of Nicki Gears, while Borthwick was on hand at the other end to gather O'Brien's 25-yard drive.
O'Brien made way for Millie Farrow on 81 minutes, and in the closing stages, the Foxes struck the inside of the post and Cain tested Borthwick, while Levell held onto Beth Hepple's low attempt.
However, Tierney's two goals at the start of the second half proved enough for Leicester to claim all three points on an enjoyable afternoon in the north east of England.
Major moment
Durham had conceded just nine league goals heading into the encounter at Maiden Castle, and their defensive solidity was on show in the opening 45 minutes.
However, Leicester - the division's highest goalscorers - made the perfect start to the second half, when Sam Tierney smashed an effort past Megan Borthwick before adding a second not long after the hour-mark.
Who impressed?
Playing at the heart of City's defence, Sam Tierney was also a threat from set-plays and it was her brace that ultimately secured three huge points for the Foxes.
Her fine finish to break the deadlock was followed up by a measured header at the far post, as City extended their winning streak to 10 in the league.
Where do we stand?
City open up a three-point gap to second-placed Durham, and also have a game in hand on Sunday's hosts. They have now collected 41 points from 16 2020/21 fixtures.
Coming up…
City next face Coventry United Ladies on Sunday 28 March at Farley Way Stadium (1pm kick-off), before entertaining London City Lionesses a week later (2pm kick-off).
The details…
City: Levell; Howard, Tierney, Plumptre, De Graaf; Paul (Bailey-Gayle 66'), Barker (c), Allen (Flint 20'), Cain; Devlin; O'Brien (Farrow 81')
Subs: Harris, Cataldo, Riglar, Thomas, Fleming, Fergusson
Goals: Tierney 48', 61'
Photos: George Ledger/Durham Women
All times GMT.