The first tournament after the Christmas excesses is always an interesting one to see who’s looked after themselves (or not!). All nine teams were represented at what was the third league tournament of the 2024/25 season.
We were lucky with the weather – no rain and a relatively mild day for the start of January. But with the slightly later kick-off at midday, the air was quite chilly and damp by the end.
The two teams had just 14 players between them. So we started the tournament with one sub each – a worryingly small number considering injuries seem to be compulsory for our club at the moment!
DSWFC Matchday Squads
Thunder ā”: Darren Snell (captain), Mark Cope (GK), Ian Potter, Neil Goridge, Simon Allen, Mark Kay and, Darren Wheeler
Storm šŖ: Paul Gillis (captain), Billy Bulloch (GK), Simon Baker, Dave Lodge, Chris Short, Andy Madden, Mark Kelly, and Mike Ryan
Dexter’s Tournament Story
Invariaby in walking football, the first team to score will win the tie. Indeed, often 1-0 is enough. This was never truer than in all four of Dexter Storm‘s matches at the 1610 Sports Centre. One after the other Dorchester, Sherborne, Weymouth and Bournemouth got the slimmest of victories.
Against Dorchester the result was particularly unlucky with a controversial goal being allowed. Even the Dorchester players agreed it probably shouldn’t have counted.
Dexters Thunder had their best tournament of the season. Admittedly the first two matches were defeats, but the effort and teamwork couldn’t be faulted. But for a controversial blue card, they may have held on for a goalless draw against top of the table Amesbury, before being the better team in the second half against Bournemouth.
Then came their first goal and win of the season. Carrying two injuries into the match meant able bodies were in short supply – so much so we ended up with a virtually immobile captain playing as a target man up front. That particular setup resulted in a breakaway cooly finished one-on-one with Sherborne’s keeper.
After the efforts and injuries of those three matches, the final fixture of the day, against Eastleigh, was one too far. Eastleigh ran out 3-0 winners with most of the damage done in the first half. All in all it was a good day for Storm, with much camaraderie and lessons learnt.
Dexter’s Tournament Results
| Dexters Thunder ā” | W1-D0-L3 |
|---|---|
| Amesbury | 0-2 |
| Bournemouth | 0-2 |
| Sherborne | 1-0 |
| Eastleigh | 0-3 |
| Dexters Storm šŖ | W0-D0-L4 |
|---|---|
| Dorchester | 0-1 |
| Sherborne | 0-1 |
| Weymouth | 0-1 |
| Bournemouth | 0-1 |
Andy Madden, DSWFC 50s Manager
“It was great to see us all warming up together and supporting the other team when ours was not playing. We all gave up football many years ago and the experience we had today is representative of having been fortunate enough to have found a way to spend 3 hours with new friends. The bond between all 14 of us was at a heightened level compared to the first two rounds. Iām proud to have the opportunity to manage such a great group of blokes – win or lose.
“Storm were unfortunate to lose all four games 0-1. Unfortunate because we had a perfectly good goal disallowed against Dorchester (even the opposition said it should have counted) and did not deserve to lose any of the other games.
“Thunder recorded their first goal (Snelly) and first win of the season along with three losses but SUCH an improved performance from League Tournament One when we conceded 8 in the first two games.
“Great camaraderie amongst all 14 who turned out and I would like to think that everyone enjoyed the day. Well done everyone – performances are definitely improving. Thank you everyone for your efforts and camaraderie.”
Paul Gillis, Dexters Storm Captain
“I’m really proud of all the guys today, great camaraderie, and so glad to see the Thunder boys getting the win their performances deserved. Make no mistake, this is a tough league of good players and teams, and I wonder how many other clubs would be able to put out 2 teams that can compete with them and give so many players the opportunity to try. Well done lads…and well done Dexters WFC. š“šµš“šµ
“Thanks once again to all those who came to support and help us. As always, its very much appreciated.” šš
Darren Snell, Dexters Thunder captain
“Yes, well done to everyone who was there. Sorry to all the Thunder lads for being absolutely no help to you all after literally seven minutes of the first game. But maybe it’s me that should stay off more often, cos you played really well and we were unlucky to go down to 5 in the first game. Only then, did Amesbury score, otherwise, I think we defended well and I believe we could’ve got a draw.
“In second game against Bournemouth, we were stuck defending in the first half, but in the second half Mark (Cope, goalkeeper) had literally nothing to do. The third game was down to never giving up and the fourth game was unlucky, with two really deflected goals.
“For Storm, from what games or parts of games I saw, you were very unlucky and with all your game’s being 1-0, just proves that you can mix it with the best. Unfortunately, it’s just the finest margins, but I’m sure at some point you’ll be on the other side of those margins,
“Thanks to Kate for supplying the obligatory sausage rolls & collecting scores from the ref’s and to Cengiz for coming to support the two teams. Definitely positives to be taken from both team’s performances today.” #COYD
Mark Kay, Dexters Thunder player
“I thought the Thunder players were utterly fantastic in the face of adversity yet again today, with numbers and then injuries. You could see more confidence, trust, and communication across the team – the camaraderie was there 1,000%.
“For the opposition and referees to commend us on our approach and attitude summed it all up. We play for the club and the shirt no matter what circumstances are thrown at us.
“I just wish we made more of that win. For Thunder that was historic and we worked our asses off. Well done to all today. We all felt part of a team which is priceless. Brilliant stuff. Darren, Neil, Ian, Copey, and Simon, ace stuff and skipper, great goal to give us our first ever victory.” āļø
League Overview
Why not take a look at the league tables, including all results and history for the 50s, 60s and 65s.
Future dates
Matchday Three in January was the first post-Christmas league tournament of the season. It also marked the midway point of 2024/25.
The next 50s league tournament is scheduled for Sunday 9 February 2025, with an unusual evening kick-off at the County Ground for Dexter’s home matchday.
Get in touch
The physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise are well known. If you’re interested in playing football in a friendly, safety first environment, get in touch with Dexter Sports Walking Football Club now…
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For more tournament updates during the course of the season, including the 50s, 60s and 65s teams, be sure to follow us on our various social accounts to be ahead of the game…
