AFC Bournemouth beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 in their 18th win from 18 games this season, to be crowned champions with four games left to play.
Markham was brilliant throughout – she was a real threat to the Rovers backline and her efforts were rewarded with a goal after 35 minutes, and she had a second half strike disallowed for offside.
She chased after a ball over the top and, when Chloe Bassett’s header didn’t have the required power on it to reach keeper Georgina Hunt, she pounced and finished well under the keeper.
Speaking to the Daily Echo after the game, Markham said she ‘couldn’t be happier’ with her personal performance.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ “I didn't score last time at the Vitality, so it was really nice for me to score, make my family proud today and player of the match as well,” she said.
“I couldn't really have asked for anything better.”
Markham said she was confident she would get to the ball first when it came over the top ahead of her goal.
“I thought the defender was actually going to clear it, but I was buzzing when she only headed it to her goalie and I was able to get my foot in between and score,” she explained.
“And it's unfortunate that the second goal I was disallowed for offside, but happy with it.”
Markham said it was ‘unbelievable’ to take the title in front of a huge crowd, with all their friends and family.
She said it was an ‘amazing feeling’.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ “We set out with one objective at the start of the season and that was to win promotion,” Markham said.
“We've still got a lot of games left, but it takes the pressure off now because the job's done. So really, really happy.
“I've got a lot of really good friends, the team are my best mates. So celebrating with friends, there's nothing really like it.”
Before Markham opened the scoring, it was a scrappy occasion at Dean Court, with the Cherries unable to open the scoring despite a strong start, and Rovers having chances of their own.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ The striker said the occasion perhaps got the better of them early on.
“We were a bit all over the place,” she said.
“The balls were flying over and we didn't really have any secure possession for a while. So I think the goal was what we needed to settle us down, get our heads in the right mindset and it improved a bit after that.”
A goal from Katie James with just over 20 minutes to play ‘killed the game’, Markham said.
On the feeling as the final whistle went, she said: “I don't even know how to put it into words.
“Literally, it feels surreal. It still doesn't feel like it's actually happening, but it's just incredible, really.
“I can't wait to celebrate with all the girls later.”