Grimsby Town Women secured the league title in style with a commanding 4-1 victory over Dronfield Town Women, maintaining their perfect record and sealing promotion in front of jubilant celebrations at full time.

The Mariners produced another impressive performance to make it 13 wins from 13 matches this season, wrapping up the championship with games still to play.

Town made a bright start and almost took the lead inside the opening minutes. Leah Wray’s long clearance released Beth Wharton in behind the defence and the forward fired past the goalkeeper, only for a defender to scramble the ball clear on the line with questions over whether it had crossed.

Dronfield responded with an early sight of goal of their own, but goalkeeper Jas Lacey made a comfortable save to keep the scores level.

The Mariners continued to threaten and came agonisingly close on 15 minutes when Alisha Dejonge produced a superb cross-field pass to find Liv Kershaw on the right. Kershaw drove forward and struck a powerful effort that crashed against the post before being cleared.

Town did not have to wait long for the breakthrough. Just a minute later, Kershaw again beat her full-back and delivered a dangerous ball into the six-yard box where Wharton bravely challenged with the goalkeeper and forced the ball over the line to give the visitors the lead.

The advantage was doubled on 27 minutes in dramatic fashion. A long ball over the top sent Wharton racing through on goal and, with the Dronfield defence appealing for offside, the striker calmly rounded the goalkeeper before finishing into the empty net.

The Mariners continued to pile on the pressure and nearly added a third when Eden Pedersen’s looping free-kick from 30 yards beat the goalkeeper but struck the crossbar, with the follow-up ruled out for offside.

The third goal did arrive shortly afterwards when Wharton was brought down inside the penalty area. Milly North stepped up confidently from the spot and slotted home to put Town firmly in control.

Midway through the half, Wharton was forced off after a couple of heavy challenges and was replaced by Laura Flecknor, but the Mariners continued to create chances before the break. Kershaw and North combined well to set up Dejonge for a fierce strike that was well saved by the Dronfield goalkeeper.

Town went into half-time with a comfortable three-goal advantage.

The second half began with another Town change as Chloe Thorpe replaced Tilly Burnett, and the Mariners continued to look dangerous. Kershaw again found space down the right and delivered a cross that North headed over the bar.

Dronfield began to push forward and Lacey was called into action to deny a shot from the edge of the area. Moments later, the hosts came within inches of scoring when they broke through on goal, only for Wray to produce a superb goal-line clearance to preserve Town’s lead.

The home side did eventually pull a goal back midway through the half, before Town responded with a substitution that saw Mia Westerman replace Kershaw, followed later by Dani Brighton coming on for Pariss Welsh.

Any nerves were quickly settled with ten minutes remaining. After a spell of pressure from Dronfield, Town broke forward and North drove into the penalty area before being brought down. The midfielder dusted herself off and calmly converted the penalty to restore the three-goal cushion.

That proved to be the final action of note as the Mariners saw out the closing stages to secure a memorable victory.

The final whistle sparked celebrations among players, staff and supporters as Grimsby Town Women were crowned champions and confirmed their promotion.

With 13 wins from 13 matches, the Mariners now turn their attention to finishing the season strongly and maintaining their remarkable 100% record.

Today’s Goal Scorers

• Beth Wharton x2 (Sponsored by Mariners Trust)

• Milly North x2 (sponsored by A View From The Findus Podcast)

Opposition Player of the Match: Eden Pedersen (Sponsored by Lincolnshire Housing Partnership)

Supporters’ Player of the Match: Leah Wray (sponsored by JPW Commercial Plumbing & Gas)

Starting XI: Jasmine Lacey, Leah Wray, Olivia Kershaw, Sophie Gray (C), Eden Pedersen, Abbie Emslie, Beth Wharton, Alisha Dejonge, Milly North, Tilly Burnett, Pariss Welsh

Subs: Chloe Thorpe, Dani Brighton, Laura Flecknor, Mia Westerman

UTM