SAINTS FC Women cruised to a 14-1 pre-season victory over Billericay Town Women on Sunday.

A first half hat-trick from summer signing Molly Pike helped Southampton FC on their way to a 7-0 halftime lead against the third-division side.

Katie Wilkinson and substitute Lucia Kendall added further hat-tricks as Saints plundered seven more goals in the second half.  

Also on the scoresheet at Snows Stadium were Welsh internationals Megan Wynne and Alice Griffiths, captain Rosie Parnel, and Lexi Lloyd-Smith, who grabbed a brace.

Speaking to the club's media team after the game, Saints manager Marieanne Spacey-Cale said: "I think the positive is that we've scored some goals.

"The strikers needed to. They've been finishing really well in training and bringing it from the training pitch to the match pitch has been really important for them.

"In terms of our start, we were a little bit slow getting into the game and I think that's something we need to address moving towards the start of the Championship season.

"Credit to Billericay, they came here and in the first 10 to 15 minutes they were really trying to make a game of it. 

"I think it's really important that we learn from today, not just see it as the goals that we scored but we've also got to learn about building those relationships on the pitch."

When asked if Saints' goalscoring exploits will give her a selection headache, Spacey-Cale added: "That's to be expected given the depth we have got now and the players that have come in.

"Everyone has stepped up. The training levels have increased, but it's really important that everyone understands that it's a squad.

"It's not just about the 11 players, there are players here who can start games and others who can finish games.

"It's about having a good understanding of what the players' strengths are and using them in the right way throughout the season."