Paige Gunn starred in a sparkling all-round team performance that saw Asfordby Aces outplay Barrow Belles in a spectacular 7-0 away win in the Under-14 Division.

Having lost 3-1 to the Belles in the opening match of the season and with a three week break since their last game, no-one was surprised to see the Aces make a slow start.

Barrow grabbed the initiative from the opening whistle and launched a quick attack down the left which was cleared to safety by Aces' captain Nailah Master.

A minute later, the Belles forged another attack, this time directly through the centre, shooting across the face of the Aces' goal and just beyond the far post.

The Aces were forced to defend further Barrow attacks until the fifth minute when Jade Pereira made a speedy break down the right, cut inside the defender and crossed to the far post to Gunn, who side-footed in from close range.

In the 13th minute, Charlotte Broad broke swiftly through the centre and directed a beautifully weighted through-ball into the path of Gunn who skillfully lifted the ball over the keeper for 2-0.

Broad made it 3-0 two minutes later with a spectacular volley into the roof of the net from a Pereira corner.

Pereira made it 4-0 in the 19th minute, rounding the last defender and slipping the ball around the keeper and inside the right post from Broad's through ball.

Two minutes later, Sophie Ellerton made a wonderful run from midfield into open space but the stretched Barrow defence just managed to snuff out the move.

Olivia Taylor and Hannah Toon made some determined breaks and played some fine passes. And Nikita Solanki's long, accurate throws caused Barrow problems.

Gunn completed her hat-trick in the 23rd minute by looping the ball over the Barrow keeper from an accurate diagonal pass from Broad.

Pereira scored her second and the Aces' sixth in the 27th minute by gathering a loose ball on the edge of the area and driving a low, powerful shot past the keeper.

The Belles responded by redoubling their efforts and with the Aces maintaining a hard-working, high-tempo game, Lucy Brewer and Jenny Alcott were brought on to provide fresh legs.

In the closing minutes, Aces' keeper Heidi Millin advanced quickly to the edge of her area to safely claim the ball from a Barrow attack.

A minute later, Barrow broke through the Aces' defence, forcing the exposed Millin to make the save of the match, smothering the shot and clearing the danger.

In the second half the Aces continued to push forward. Pereira came close with a powerful shot a minute after the whistle.

With the match almost certainly out of reach, the Belles could have easily capitulated but instead showed pride and determination with some strong, physical challenges and determined attacking.

Six minutes after the break they broke into the Aces area but Master prevented the shot with a superb clearing slide tackle.

Alcott was a powerful presence on the right, holding up the ball well, passing accurately and helping out in defence.

Sarah Dannaher made some excellent ball-winning challenges in defence and the ever-committed Sophie Pickering gave 100-per-cent effort.

In the 15th minute of the half, Ellerton was rewarded for her persistence after reaching a rebound first.

The Aces turned up the pressure still further, forcing three successive corners from the left but all were well defended by Barrow.

With 10 minutes to go, Pereira had a stinging shot brilliantly saved and gathered by the Belles keeper.

Both teams can be proud of their fighting spirit with the Belles only conceding a single goal in the second half and the Aces keeping a clean sheet.

Gunn was player of the match for the Aces.

Aces: Heidi Millin, Sophie Pickering, Sarah Dannaher, Nikita Solanki, Nailah Master, Olivia Taylor, Charlotte Broad, Hannah Toon, Paige Gunn, Sophie Ellerton, Jade Periera, Lucy Brewer, Jenny Alcott