AFC BOURNEMOUTH soared into the first round of the FA Women’s National League Plate with an 8-0 win over Portishead Town.

Cherries continued their impressive start to the season, following a narrow 2-1 victory over Worthing, a 2-1 win at Moneyfields and a thumping 9-0 win over Maidenhead in the National League.

Their one loss this term so far has come against Moneyfields in the National League Cup determining round, losing 4-3 after extra time.

Victory over Portishead sets up a trip to Division One South East side London Seaward at the end of September.

Steve Cuss’s Cherries led 4-0 at half time after a flying start.

(Image: AFC Bournemouth)

Abby Jones despatched a clinical penalty in the tenth minute, before Katie James drilled home after being put through by Erin Bloomfield after 19 minutes.

Jenna Markham smashed home from eight yards just 60 seconds later, before she arrived to sweep home James’s low cross in the 29th minute.

Erin Bloomfield was the provider for two of the four first half goals and found herself on the scoresheet two minutes into the second half with a strike from the edge of the box to make it 5-0.

Chloe Gilroy then plundered a hattrick in half an hour.

(Image: AFC Bournemouth)

She headed home a cross from 53rd minute-substitute Molly Gladwell after 56 minutes, before converting from another Gladwell cross eight minutes from time.

The hattrick was complete four minutes from time, beating the offside trap and finishing well with a lofted effort from around 20 yards.

Bournemouth’s other side in the National League, Bournemouth Sports, were knocked out of the National League Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Southampton Women.

(Image: Bournemouth Sports FC)

The newly promoted side has been the victim of three one-goal defeats this term, losing 1-0 to early league pace-setters Swindon Town and 2-1 to Maidenhead United.

Before their defeat to Southampton Women, they lost 3-1 at home to Worthing.

They sit 11th in the league on one point, after their opening day point thanks to a goalless draw with Portishead Town.

AFC Bournemouth sit unbeaten in second after picking up 12 points from their four games, with a goal difference of 16.