60s: Set-piece setbacks!

The final round of this season’s Dorset Walking Football League (60s) was held in Dorchester on St Patrick’s Day (17 March). Our 60s team travelled there with optimism after achieving their first win of the season at the previous round in Sherborne. With three matches lined up, it was going to be a test of stamina, as well as skill.

Pre-Tournament Form

We headed out for the final round of the league buoyed by the win in Sherborne against Weymouth just [last month. However, having only scored four goals in 11 league matches so far, a reliance on a strong defensive performance was probably going to be needed. Our three matches would be against Bournemouth Reds, Swanage and Sherborne.

• Bournemouth Reds (11:00am): Only one win in the previous five matches (W1, D2, L2). They’re the best of the rest in fourth position, with such a big gap between the top three and everyone else in the league. The reverse fixture was goalless back in November.
• Swanage (11:30am): third in the league with only one defeat all season and conceded just six in 11 matches before this round. Like Bournemouth Reds, the previous meeting between Swanage and Dexter’s was 0-0 in November.
• Sherborne (12:30pm): only won one in the last five matches, which would explain why they’re only one place and three points ahead of Dexter Sports. However, they beat us 1-0 earlier in the season to record one of their three victories this season.

After John and Keith both picked up injuries in Friday training, Mark Ciano was handed his debut at short notice, and the team arrived in Dorchester with just one substitute.

Matchday Squad

Dexter Sports 0-1 Bournemouth Reds

The first match of the day was a cagey affair. Dexter’s didn’t create many opportunities, but equally weren’t under any serious pressure, and were quite comfortable. With full-time approaching, a goalless draw was looking like the most likely outcome.

However, in the dying moments, Bournemouth Reds were awarded a free-kick just outside Dexter’s area. The Reds were able to get a shot on goal, which Dave saved brilliantly, only to see the ball hit the post cross the line. A harsh way to end a close match.

Dexter Sports 0-1 Swanage

With no time to dwell on the harshness of that first match, it was straight back on to face Swanage, who promised to pose a tougher test than Bournemouth Reds. It was another tightly contested game, which looked (again) like ending 0-0. However, for the second match in a row, Dexter’s were rather unfortunately undone by a freekick just outside their area.

This time Dave was on hand to save the initial shot (again), but Swanage reacted to the rebound quicker, and Dexter’s were sunk by the only goal of the game for the fifth time in ten matches!

Dexter Sports 3-0 Sherborne (walkover)

Unfortunately, Sherborne were unable to field a team for the last match of the day (and season). With Dexter’s and Sherborne occupying the bottom two places, this match would have been a shoot-out to avoid collecting the wooden spoon. With the match not played, Sherborne forfeited the game 3-0, which meant Dexter’s leapfrogged Sherborne into seventh place on goal difference.

Performance Overview

John Gray (60s manager) was happy to hand the Player-of-the-Tournament award to goalkeeper, Dave Bacall, for two solid performances in which he made great saves and was unfortunate with both goals conceded. There’s a special mention for Mark Ciano, for playing well on his debut and making himself available at short notice.

I have an unusual feeling today, although we lost the first two games, we played well in both, we just didn’t get the rub of the green.”

John Gray, 60s Manager

Although finishing seventh (of eight) wasn’t the hope at the start of the season, the teams understanding and organisation did improve as the season went on. All three matches were lost in Round One, with ten goals conceded, while the rest of the season (11 matches) only saw eight goals against – that’s just 0.73 per match.

What really needs to improve in 2024/25 is goalscoring. Just seven goals scored in 14 league matches will need improving if a higher league position is to be achieved. Everyone involved with the 60s squad are already looking forward to next season – a strong indication of the momentum the team know they can build on.

Captains Comment

Thanks for managing us this season John and I hope your ankle injury heals quickly. We go again in September hopefully having learnt from our mistakes this campaign and we will hit the ground running (so to speak). It’s been a pleasure to play alongside you guys.” 👍⚽️

Peter Kane, DSWFC 60s Captain