SAINTS Women maintain their perfect start to the 2021-22 National League season with a 9-0 drubbing over Gillingham Women.

After their first four fixtures, following being awarded promotion in the off-season, Saints are top of the table on goal difference and have scored 17, conceding just one.

An Ella Pusey hat-trick and braces from Georgie Freeland and Ella Morris added to Sophie Pharoah and Ciara Watling’s solitary strikes to make up a nine-goal victory.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s outfit were already 4-0 up at the half-time break, courtesy of Freeland, Morris and Pusey efforts.

The visitors started the match strongly and could have taken the lead early on, firing a powerful shot just over the crossbar – before Saints began to take full control.

Katie Rood made only her second appearance for the club after joining from Lewes FC last week, with an introduction from the bench.

Being on the right end of a 9-0 deficit will give this Saints side huge confidence as they look to win promotion to the FA Women’s Championship and beyond – with 22 more games to play in the 14-team division.

Up next, Saints face bottom of the table Hounslow as they attempt to continue their 100% record, which only two teams can now boast already, for the campaign.