The weather was hot for the final event in the Dorset Walking Football League – the League Cup. With four clubs not represented in the tournament, the remaining five teams all had realistic hopes of lifting the 2025 League Cup trophy.
Dexters were hosts to a great day of football today in a trimmed down League Cup competition. The format saw a round robin of matches between the five teams in attendance, with the top two playing a final for the right to call themselves Dorset Walking Football League Cup Winners 2025.
Tournament Overview
Tournament: Dorset Walking Football League, League Cup 2025
Venue: County Ground, Hamworthy, Poole
Date: 8 June 2025
Defending champions: Eastleigh
Format: One group of five teams, with the top two playing in the Final
Dexter’s Squads
🌪 Dexters Storm: Paul Gillis (C), Billy Bulloch (GK), Simon Baker, Mark Kay, Chris Short, Simon Allen and Andy Wilson.
🌩 Dexter’s Thunder: Darren Snell (C), Dave Bacall (GK), Andy Shute, Jase Sheath, Martin Ball, Gary Craig and Mark Kelly.
Dexters Performance
The Dexters injury and absentee list grew on the eve of the tournament with the withdrawal from Storm of Luke (Hitchen) who aggravated an injury on Friday while training, ironically, with Dorchester! And then on the morning of the tournament, Thunder lost the services of Cookie (Simon Cooke) with a swollen knee. Injuries have somewhat hampered us this season.
Storm opened their programme against a very strong Dorchester and, courtesy of a well struck penalty by Mark Kay ended with a 1-0 victory. Thunder were very impressive in their first game against Sherborne, controlling the first half completely. Unfortunately, 2 goals conceded in the 2nd half resulted in a 0-2 defeat.
Dorchester were clearly stung by their early loss, inflicting a 4-1 defeat on Thunder in the second round, a result not helped by the withdrawal of captain Snelly with his less than competent hamstring. Gary Craig found the opposition net while Storm were on a break.
The third round saw a terrific game of football played between our two Dexters sides, a strike from Chris Short, who covered every blade of grass, for Storm being the only goal of the game.
Storm then recorded their third win in-a-row with another Mark Kay goal giving us a 1-0 victory over Sherborne. A depleted Thunder finally notched up a deserved point in a 0-0 draw against the always dangerous Eastleigh.
With Thunder having completed their programme, Storm went into their final match already assured of a place in the final. A 0-0 draw, again against Eastleigh, saw them top the group stage while very impressively conceding no goals.
And so, onto the Final between Dexters Storm and Dorchester. It must be said that Dorchester probably had the better of the match but Storms defence was impossible to break, courtesy in no small way to an outstanding display of goalkeeping by Billy Bulloch.
Billy has justifiably been selected to play for Dorset this season and his performance today showed precisely why – he blocked, stopped and caught everything that came his way.
The result of 0-0 led to penalties and taking his lead from Billy, the Dorchester keeper was tremendous in keeping out just too many of Storms spot kicks – Dorchester duly being crowned League Cup Winners 2025.
The style and creativity of the football played by our two 50s sides has improved considerably throughout the 2024-25 season, earning a number of compliments from across the county and today saw another step forward.
With an injury-free day, Thunder would have unquestionably enjoyed better results but Storm were outstanding in every department with some really high quality football and very impressive victories.
| Dexters Thunder ⚡ | W0-D1-L3 |
|---|---|
| Sherborne | 0-2 |
| Dorchester | 1-4 |
| Dexters Storm | 0-1 |
| Eastleigh | 0-0 |
| Dexters Storm 🌪 | W3-D2-L0 |
|---|---|
| Dorchester | 1-0 |
| Dexters Thunder | 1-0 |
| Sherborne | 1-0 |
| Eastleigh | 0-0 |
| Final: Dorchester | 0-0 (lost on pens) |
Group Table
| W-D-L | F – A | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dexters Storm* | 3-1-0 | 3 – 0 | 10 |
| Dorchester* | 2-1-1 | 5 – 2 | 7 |
| Sherborne | 2-1-1 | 4 – 1 | 7 |
| Eastleigh | 0-2-2 | 0 – 3 | 2 |
| Dexters Thunder | 0-1-3 | 1 – 7 | 1 |
Congratulations to Dorchester, who beat Dexters Storm in the Final on penalties, after a 0-0 draw.
Dexters Discussion
Managers Missive
Andy Madden, DSWFC 50s Manager
“Terrific performances by both sides today, lads. Some great football played which augurs very well for next season.
Once again, we suffered from absentees and injuries but we overcame both to cause a lot of threat to all of our opponents.
“Many congratulations, especially to Storm for heading the group with 10 out of 12 points. The final against Dorchester was a great game of football to watch but then losing on penalties was hard, indeed.
“Proud of all of you who turned out for Dexters today and once again, we were highly complimented by the other teams.”
Captains’ Corner
Darren Snell, Dexters Thunder captain
“Firstly, to Storm, congratulations on reaching the final – it could of gone either way and the way you approached the day was spot on, so a massive well done to you all. 👏👏👏
“Secondly, Thunder, to which I must apologise firstly, for not completing a fixture round… again 😞, but we played three out of four games without fear and with plenty of determination – not sure what happened against Storm though! We had lots of possession, created chances, and on another day, our results could quite easily have been wins, but not today unfortunately.
“Mr Gillis, unfortunately it wasn’t your story book ending, to what’s been a good year for you and the Storm boys, but just to echo what the lads have already said, you’ve been a rock for Storm this year and the 60’s are gaining a very valuable player. 👏👏👏
“And lastly, thank you to “The Gaffer” and his better half for all that you do for both Thunder and Storm collectively. We may not say it, but we all appreciate you.” 👏👏👏
Paul Gillis, after playing his final tournament as Dexters Storm captain
“Your kind words are very touching guys, but, really, the pleasure has been all mine. It’s been an honour to be your captain, but a personal pleasure to have played alongside you all. Really proud of everyone.” 👊👊
“It was a superb team effort from Storm today especially trying out a new formation. Through everyone’s efforts, to have ended today unbeaten in open play and conceding no goals was magnificent. So proud of them all.”
Players Prose
Billy Bullcoh, Dexters Storm Goalkeeper
“I watched Thunder today and what a dangerous team you are. Very, very good and massive goal threat. As for Storm… today everyone, I literally mean everyone, was terrific. Those were the best set of results we’ve had and we’ve beaten Dorchester for the first time! That’s clear progress.”
League Cup Shots
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One Response
Great summary of the day. A real pleasure to play in and many congrats to Dorchester 👏👏👏