Match Report
Match Report: Bridport FC Ladies 9 - 1 Wincanton Ladies (League Cup)
In their second encounter this month, Bridport FC Ladies hosted Wincanton Ladies in a thrilling League Cup match. Though Bridport had previously achieved a comfortable win, Wincanton returned with a strengthened lineup, challenging Bridport's midfield and defense from the outset.
Wincanton's positive start put Bridport under early pressure, with Bridport taking time to find their rhythm and settle into the game. However, the breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Clare Darby latched onto a perfectly placed cross from Holly Perryment to open the scoring. Not long after, in the 34th minute, Florence Valinski rose above the defense to meet a corner, heading in the second goal and giving Bridport a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime.
Manager Lianne Dunk used the halftime break to stress the importance of maintaining possession and not giving the ball away easily—a message that resonated immediately. Less than a minute into the second half, Bridport regained control from Wincanton’s kickoff, and Emily Robinson capitalized on the momentum. After some slick team play, she chipped the ball over the keeper from just inside the box to extend the lead to 3-0.
In the 55th minute, Valinski's pace on the wing paid off as she bypassed the Wincanton defense and delivered a perfect pass for Aleeshea Rowland to slot home, opening her account for the day. Rowland doubled her tally just seven minutes later with a stunning solo run from the halfway line, beating Wincanton’s high line and finishing in style to bring the score to 5-0.
Substitute Maisie Macdonald added to the tally in the 69th minute, finishing at the back post from a precise cross by Georgie Hughes, who had worked tirelessly throughout. Darby soon followed with her second goal of the game, taking advantage of a Wincanton clearance gone astray to make it 7-0.
Rowland completed her hat trick in the 86th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error with a clinical finish. Although Manager Lianne was set to name Rowland as the player of the match, Clare Darby had other plans. In the 90th minute, Rowland’s shot was parried by the keeper, and Darby pounced on the rebound, securing her own hat trick and rounding off an outstanding performance.
Despite a consolation goal from Wincanton and an impressing first half for them, Bridport dominated the second half, with both Darby and Rowland’s hat tricks highlighting an impressive all-around team effort.
Final Score: Bridport FC Ladies 9 - 1 Wincanton Ladies
Photos by Robin Procter
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