AFC Bournemouth remain top of the Southern Region Women’s Premier League after a 6-1 win away at Ascot United.

Becky Miles bagged a hat-trick, while Rachel Anderson netted a brace. Rosie Eden also got on the scoresheet in what was a convincing performance from Steve Cuss’ side.

The Cherries started brightly, despite severe rain and hail making conditions tricky, as Anderson scored the opener with just 11 minutes gone.

Her shot from the edge of the area took a big deflection and caught out the Ascot ‘keeper, with it trickling into the corner for her first of the afternoon.

The lead was doubled just two minutes later, as Eden was waiting on the back-post to tap home a fine cross from the right.

She almost had her second straight from the restart as Erin Thickett put a great ball into the box from the right, but the forward’s header thumped against the crossbar and the danger was averted.

It was then Ascot who found the target next after a ball over the top found Hannah Evans running through, the striker going on to covert from inside the area.

Two quick-fire goals from Miles provided the perfect response and gave the Cherries some room to breathe.

The striker’s first was a dipping effort from 25-yards that had the Ascot ‘keeper back-pedalling from the moment it was hit, before she then struck from similar range having cut in from the left-hand side.

Anderson made it five just before the break, beating two defenders just outside the area and then going on to strike low across the ‘keeper to finish off a fine half.

After the interval, Cuss’ side continued to work hard and Miles completed her hat-trick after 68 minutes, Anderson this time the provider as her strike-partner finished from ten yards.

Moments later, Eden thought she had a brace after a lovely chip over the Ascot shot-stopper, but the flag was raised for offside and she was denied a seventh for her team.

A strong performance sees the Women now make it seven out of seven in the league, with a maximum of 21 points.

Next up is a trip to Warsash Wasps on Sunday 15th December, with kick-off 2pm. 

Read Steve Cuss' post-match reaction here.