LCFC Women Register 11th Successive League Win Against Coventry
There were two changes to the starting XI after a 2-0 win at Durham Women a fortnight prior, with injured Remi Allen being replaced by Grace Riglar, while Flint came in for Charlie Devlin, who was out with concussion for the clash with the Red and Greens.
Paige Bailey-Gayle, meanwhile, also remained on the sidelines after sustaining a ruptured medial collateral ligament injury which is set to keep her out for the rest of the season.
Back in November, the Foxes sealed a 9-1 triumph over Coventry at Butts Park Arena and they headed into their 17th outing of the league campaign sitting atop of the Championship by a margin of three points over Durham.
Although the visitors were admirably resolute in defence, Leicester were dominant throughout on Sunday, with an early opportunity for Katy Morris proving to be the only task for home goalkeeper Kirstie Levell during the opening 45 minutes in Quorn.
Within the first 10 minutes, it was almost 1-0 to the Foxes as Lachante Paul crossed for Flint in the area and, while the former Blackburn Rovers forward made a solid contact with the ball on the volley, Coventry shot-stopper Sue Wood was able to tip it onto the post.
Flint's cross, meanwhile, was then nodded wide by strike partner Shannon O'Brien - starring against her former club - before Hannah Cain forced Wood into another impressive stop down at her near post for the visitors.
Esmee De Graaf's cross was later headed wide by Flint and then Cain fired wide as City turned the screw, but it was a frustrating start to proceedings for Leicester, who also saw Ashleigh Plumptre nod wide before Sophie Howard slammed an effort of her own onto the post.
On the cusp of half-time, though, the home side were rewarded for their perseverance as the ball rolled invitingly to Flint on the edge of the area to pick her spot into the bottom corner.
City led at the interval and continued to carve out several opportunities after it too, although Cain twice sent efforts flying narrowly wide of the post. Plumptre, on the other hand, then also struck the base of Wood's post as City chased a potentially decisive second.
It finally came just after the hour-mark as Cain's headed pass came through to Flint, who had enough time and space to send another fearsome drive beyond Wood and into the back of the net for her 15th effort of the 2020/21 campaign.
Second-half substitute Freya Thomas was unfortunate not to add a third for Leicester soon after, seeing her shot whizz past the post, while Millie Farrow, also introduced from the bench, saw two opportunities pass her by in the latter stages.
After her two-goal heroics at Durham earlier in March, Sam Tierney almost added her name to the scoresheet late on, following good work from Lia Cataldo, while Farrow was unlucky again to miss the target following youngster Jess Camwell's smart pass.
Major moment...
With 28 minutes left on the clock, the Foxes were completely dominant in Quorn, but only had a solitary goal to show for their efforts. They needed another to approach the latter stages of the clash with security. Enter Natasha Flint.
After inventive play by Hannah Cain, it came through to City's No.20 and she made no mistake with a powerful drive into the net to double Leicester's advantage and set them firmly on course for their 11th successive league win - a record in the FA Women's Championship.
Who impressed?
After almost being forced to withdraw in the first half at Farley Way Stadium, following a succession of heavy challenges, ex-Everton forward Hannah Cain played a decisive role for the Foxes.
Now fully fit after a lengthy injury lay-off at the start of the campaign, Cain was an integral figure in the construction of attacking phases, also providing the assists for both of Natasha Flint's goals.
Where do we stand?
The Foxes remain top of the FA Women's Championship with three games still to play. They lead Durham Women, who have just two games remaining, by five points, and currently hold a 19-strong goal difference advantage over the North East outfit.
Coming up…
London City Lionesses are the visitors to Farley Way Stadium next Sunday in the FA Women’s Championship (2pm kick-off), before Liverpool are due in Quorn on Sunday 18 April in the fourth round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup (2pm kick-off).
The details…
City: Levell; Howard (Smith 69’), Tierney, Riglar (Thomas 69’), De Graaf; Paul, Barker (c), Plumptre, Cain (Camwell 82'); Flint (Cataldo 76’), O’Brien (Farrow 69’).
Subs not used: Harris, Everett, Fleming, Fergusson.
Goals: Flint 45', 62'.
All times BST.