Womens vs Ilminster Town Ladies Reserves

Bridport FC Ladies Finish Season with Win, Clean Sheet, and Promotion Push

Bridport FC Ladies First Team closed out their impressive season with a 3-0 win and a well-earned clean sheet against third-placed Ilminster Ladies Reserves — a result that confirmed their runners-up position in the league. The team finished level on points with champions Cheddar Ladies, narrowly missing out on the title due to a marginal goal difference.

With a ten-goal swing required to leapfrog into first place, the odds were always slim, but the message from the management was clear: go out, enjoy the game, and play without pressure.

Lianne Dunk’s side set up in an attacking formation and started brightly, showing pace and intent early on. Ilminster, to their credit, matched that intensity and posed a threat on the counterattack — even striking the crossbar during a nervy first half. Sensing the danger, Lianne adjusted the shape back to a more solid back four, and Bridport began to take control.

The breakthrough came in the 55th minute, following a slick four-player move in the box, finished coolly by Aleeshea Rowland. Nine minutes later, Cimon Bernard Irons delivered a perfect through ball to Rowland, who turned provider to set up Clare Darby for her 18th goal of the season.

The third and final goal arrived on 70 minutes from a well-delivered corner by Maisie Macdonald, which eventually found its way to Rowland again — sealing her 38th goal of the campaign and confirming her status as league top scorer by some distance.

This has been a season of real growth, belief, and team spirit. The team can be incredibly proud of how far they’ve come. With the league rules allowing for automatic promotion for the top two teams, and pending league approval, Division 1 football could be next for this determined Bridport side.

Player of the Match Cait Corbett