AFC BOURNEMOUTH’S start to the season has ‘gone exceptionally well’ after winning each of their opening six games in the league and progressing in the cups.

The Cherries sit second in the National League Division One South West and have reached the second round of the FA Cup and have progressed in the FA Women’s National League Plate.

Boss Steve Cuss said admitted he was slightly apprehensive about the start to the season, after they narrowly missed out on promotion last season to Exeter City, despite staying unbeaten in the league.

He told the Daily Echo: “I was a bit worried in the summer after what happened at the end of last season, not losing a game, but not getting promoted.

“It's a difficult thing to take, and I was worried about how the players were going to adapt to that during the summer.

(Image: Newsquest) “We didn't do much different in the summer, apart from giving them a few extra days off.

“We thought the demands of the summer would allow that to give them a few extra days off.”

The Cherries have won each of their six National League games this term, with a positive goal difference of 30, with three games in hand over table toppers Swindon Town.

They face neighbours Bournemouth Sports on Thursday, before meeting Swindon at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Cuss said he had to praise his players for their start to the season, after beating a number of the top teams in the division in their early fixtures.

“They've been magnificent,” Cuss told the Daily Echo. “They've been able to be strong mentally, having dealt with what happened last season, to recover in the summer, to come back and play all the top teams in the early stages of the season and get the results that they have and being able to do well in the cup competitions.

“[They’re] fighting hard for a place in the team, in a competitive squad as well.

“So, it's all credit to the players for how they've adjusted to the new season and their absolute determination to be the best that they want to be.

“I have that pleasure of seeing that in every training session and every match.

“They work extremely hard, they're very, very competitive, and they want to be the best that they can be, and long may that continue, because that's a good attitude to have.”

The Cherries face Bournemouth Sports at New Milton Town FC on Thursday evening.