A STUNNING eight-minute hat-trick from Sommer Button sent Burton Albion U18s to a deserved first league victory of the season - a resounding 6-2 victory over AFC Telford.
An injury and illness-hit start to 2022/23 has hampered the Brewers U18s girls so far in the Central Warwickshire Girls Football League - but a fine performance against Telford showed exactly what Albion are capable of when they have the numbers.
Button's first-half treble had the Brewers firmly in control at the break - but it was first team winger Farrrah Hoyle who would break the deadlock just eight minutes in, charging down a clearance then chipping Telford's keeper for her first of the game.
The first for BUTTON saw the forward finish neatly past the onrushing keeper after a superb defence-splitting pass from Hannah Cox for 2-0.
BUTTON'S second came from the penalty spot, confidently despatching her spot kick after Alana Keary was chopped down in the area, before a calm finish from BUTTON following good ball-winning work from Eve Riley secured a 4-0 lead before Telford claimed one back just before the break from a corner.
HALF-TIME: AFC TELFORD U18S 1-4 BURTON ALBION U18S
Buoyed by that late goal, the hosts came out strongly at the start of the second half and created several openings which either missed the target or were dealt with confidently by keeper Lola Smith.
But Albion were not finished, and after a long throw in the box from Keary was handled, BUTTON converted her second penalty of the day for her fourth and the Brewers' fifth.
HOYLE then grabbed her brace - latching onto a great ball through from midfield, sprinting clear of the defence and finishing calmly to the bottom corner.
Telford would grab a further consolation as a 30-yard effort cannoned back off the crossbar and to a waiting striker, who tapped home to complete scoring for the day.
FULL-TIME: AFC TELFORD U18S 2-6 BURTON ALBION U18S
U18s manager Paul Harman said: "It was a strong and confident performance from the girls today.
"They controlled the game from the first whistle, which will give the girl’s confidence going into next week's local derby against unbeaten Derby County Ladies."