AFC Bournemouth women started their season in style with an emphatic 13-0 win over Selsey as their National League campaign got underway on Sunday afternoon. 

The Cherries, who finished fourth last term, sit top of the table as a result of today's big win, sitting pretty with an unrivalled goal difference. 

New signing Gemma McGuinness marked her debut with a hat-trick, while there were also braces for Molly Gladwell and Maisy Smith. 

Lucy Cooper, Helen Bleazard, Amber Treweek and Elle Elkins all added to the tally, as did Shannon Albuery and Alisha Buckingham, who were also making their first competitive appearances in red and black. 

The win is the side's biggest ever victory in the National League and manager Steve Cuss spoke with afcb.co.uk afterwards to express his delight. 

"We work all pre-season to try and get off to a positive start and it was an absolutely outstanding performance," he said. 

"We were very clinical, created a lot of chances and we took those today. It was a great start to the season and one that we really enjoyed. 

"I'd just like to say a little bit about the opposition. I thought they were a very young side, who let a few goals in early, but they kept going and they were a credit to their club. 

"We're obviously delighted to get off to such a positive start and it was nice that there were a lot of different goalscorers. 

"As I say, we created a lot and moved the ball well. That then saw the goals shared about and there were lots of different players on the scoresheet." 

Cuss went on to discuss the milestones within his squad, after three new signings got on the scoresheet and another also bagged a maiden goal for the Cherries. 

"It was a special day for Gemma McGuinness, obviously making her debut and she scored very early on. That settled her and settled the team down, and I was really pleased with her performance throughout the game.

"It was a nice finish for her to get her hat-trick in the second half and it's always special to come away with that on your debut. 

"We had Alisha Buckingham who also scored on her debut today. She's a very good, technical player and took her goal excellently. 

"Amber Treweek, who was with us last season, got her first goal for the club, so it was really pleasing to apply the pressure throughout the 90 minutes and come out with a really impressive win." 

Cuss concluded by looking ahead, insisting his players must aim to replicate the performance across the coming weeks. 

"It's now a simple message for the players - we go back to work this week. Of course, we have to enjoy the moment and celebrate the win. When they come along like that, you have to be able to enjoy them, but we've got the three points and have to keep it up. 

"We'll be back to training next week and let's see if we can replicate that level of performance again."