Hat-trick star Kate Natkiel believes Albion Women’s league is more competitive than ever.

And that might just be a key factor behind a stunning 10-0 win in the FA Cup.

The Seagulls ran up double figures at home to Oxford United, a side one division above them in the league structure.

Table-topping Albion had been keen to measure themselves against a side from Women’s Super League 2, the division in which they hope to play next year.

And they measured up pretty well as Natkiel and Charlotte Gurr completed trebles, Amy Taylor scored twice, Sophie Perry netted from close range and prolific Lisa Fulgence produced her trademark penalty-box finish as a late substitute.

The reward is a home tie against Blackburn Rovers, to be played at Culver Road on Sunday, February 28.

Albion have not always turned their possession and domination of games into goals but there was no such problem this time against an Oxford side who have not yet started their league season. But there was plenty of composure where it counted this time.

Natkiel said: “I think we just took our time in front of goal. Sometimes we have lacked the goals we should have scored but this time we took our chances.

“We expected a tough game because they are a league above us but we prepared as usual. They have not had any games yet whereas we are coming towards the end of our season.

“It could be we have trained more and are more used to playing together as a team. But, being a WSL 2 team, we thought they would give us a tighter game.”

The result will do nothing to alter the opinion of those who feel it should be less difficult to win promotion from the Premier League to WSL.

Albion currently head Premier south but, if they finish top, they must win a play-off against the top team in the north to take the one promotion spot. That can lead to a logjam of talent at the top of the two Premier League divisions.

Natkiel has played WSL 2 with Watford but rejoined Albion on a permanent basis last summer having previously had a loan stint.

She said: “There’s no real difference between the standards. If anything, the Premier League has become more competitive. There are more teams who are very even, as you can see in our division.

“There is a more noticeable gap between top teams and bottom teams in WSL. You have to win our league and then a play-off to win promotion and that helps the level of competition at the top of the table.

“Everyone knows they have to win the league, it is not like the men’s leagues for example, where you can still go up via the play-offs.”

Blackburn, like Albion, are aiming for that promotion play-off.

They are six points off the top of the northern section with a game in hand and sent out a warning by winning 7-0 at the Seagulls’ divisional rivals West Ham in the Cup.

Natkiel said: “Blackburn is a good draw for us. I’ve never played them but I’m sure it will be a tough tie because they are doing quite well in the Premier League north division. It’s a chance to play a new team from our level but a different section.

“It’s good to be at home. There were lots of fans there on Sunday and hopefully they all come again.”

Manager James Marrs was delighted by the Cup win. He said: “We have WSL credentials but you don’t get given anything, we’ve still got to work hard to get what we want.”

Albion host Chichester City in the Sussex Challenge Cup at Culver Road on Sunday (2pm) aiming for a tenth successive win in all competitions.