KELCI Bowers and Ellie Butler both scored on their debuts, as they helped their new side Cherries to a 3-0 win at Maidenhead United in the FA Women’s National League.

Butler, whose arrival from Stourbridge was only announced on Friday, got off to a dream start with a goal inside seven minutes.

Molly Barron-Clark doubled the lead at York Road, before Portsmouth loanee Bowers came off the bench to add a third and keep the pressure on Division One South West leaders Exeter City.

Boss Steve Cuss made just one change from the side which beat Abingdon United 6-0 the previous weekend, with Butler preferred to Kenni Thompson.

Maidenhead came into the game on the back of an impressive victory over third-placed Swindon Town in midweek, but found themselves behind early on against Cherries.

Butler pounced on a poor clearance from Isacc Gregory before slamming in.

Barron-Clark, Lucy Cooper and Amber Treweek all fired off target as Cherries looked to double their tally.

Maisy Smith and Gemma Hillier then each went close either side of half-time, before the visitors did move 2-0 up. Barron-Clark moved her way into space before firing into the bottom corner.

The chances continued to flow the way of Cherries. Treweek struck the crossbar while substitute Thompson also tried her luck.

And the win was sealed on 77 minutes, Bowers slotting in to take Cherries’ goal tally for the season to a staggering 100.

The win means Cuss’s charges are now six points behind Exeter, with two games in hand. The Grecians currently boast a goal difference 17 better than Cherries, having lost the league title by that metric to Cardiff City last season.

Cherries return to action next Sunday, hosting Keynsham Town at Vitality Stadium (2pm).

Cherries: Kosinska, Jones, Smith, Treweek, Venditto (Bowers, 53), Barron-Clark, James, Hillier (McGuinness, 64), Butler (Gilroy, 70), Buckingham (Thompson, 64), Cooper (Bloomfield, 70).