A BECKI Bath hattrick helped Cherries Women administer a 6-0 defeat over Larkhall Athletic and reach the summit of the National League South West Division One, and manager Steve Cuss admitted: “We weren’t at our fluent best but we did enough to create the chances and take them.”

Katie James, Chloe Newton and Molly Clark added the other strikes to complete the rout and ensure the side reached first-place in the league ahead of a cup game against Hounslow to come next.

The result follows on from a 4-0 home victory over Southampton WFC just a few days earlier, completing a brilliant week for the club.

Cuss was understandably delighted, telling the club website:“I was really pleased yesterday.

“To go away from home and keep a clean sheet and score a few goals was really pleasing. It was a really good result.

“We weren’t at our fluent best but we did enough to create the chances and take them.

“It’s been a busy week with three games in eight days and we’re delighted with the seven points that we’ve picked up in the week.

“I talked about the challenges that this new league brings to players. One of those challenges was having a mid-week game.

“Three games in eight days is something that we’ve not had to deal with before and I’m absolutely delighted with how the players have dealt with it over the last few days.

“There’s no doubt that the games prior to yesterday had taken a lot out of the players, but they continue to work hard and put in a good performance.

“To come away with six goals and a clean sheet is testament to the hard work that the players put in during pre-season.”

Cuss also discussed the arrival of new goalkeeper Sam Chrippes, who made her debut for the club at Larkhall in Bath at the weekend.

He added: “Sam (Chrippes) is an experienced goalkeeper and it was an area that we just wanted to add a bit more competition to.

“We decided to play her yesterday and we’re pleased for her that she got a clean sheet on her debut.

“Up the other end of the pitch, I think it’s important to have a number of players who can score goals. We’ve had that at the start of the season.

“Becki (Bath) has scored five in two games and that stands out, but we’ve got goalscorers and a threat all over the pitch.

“That came to a head yesterday with a number of different scorers, so we’re really pleased and hopefully that can continue through the season.”