After a two month break, we returned to 50s action in the Dorset Walking Football League. Considering we’re half-way through April the weather could certainly have been warmer, that was especially true for teams with an hour break scheduled in – something both our teams contended with.
We were delighted to see a return to competitive action for Gary Craig, after 10 months out. He ruptured his achilles tendon in last season’s 50s League Cup tournament, which was in June 2024. Alongside Gary there was also a league tournament debut for Andy Wilson.
DSWFC Matchday Squads
Thunder ⚡: Darren Snell (captain), David Bacall (GK), Andy Shute, Darren Wheeler, Andy Wilson, Ian Potter and Gary Craig.
Storm 🌪: Paul Gillis (captain), Billy Bulloch (GK), Simon Baker, Simon Allen, Mark Kay, Mike Ryan and Luke Hitchen
Front row: Dave Bacall, Simon Baker, Mark Kay, Kate Madden (Matchday Logistics), Ian Potter, Paul Gillis (Storm Captain)
Tournament Story: Dexters Storm
Storm’s first match of the day was against a struggling Verwood side. When the two sides last met, during Round Four in February, Storm were relieved to come away with a 1-0 victory. This time round we saw off Verwood with a comfortable looking 3-0 win. Our pressure and superior movement started to tell in the second half after we went in at half-time one goal to the good.
Once the scoreline became 3-0 part the way through the second half, Simon (Allen) made way for Mike (Ryan). During this match Luke added another goal to his season total (up to eight for the season) and Mark (Kay) scored his first league goals for the club, with the other two.
As expected, the next fixture against Amesbury, was a tough one. The last time we met the result was 1-1 after Luke scored a speculative rong range effort. Once again this was a close match, only this time we were disappointed to go down to the only of the game. It’s true to say the game could have gone either way.
Storm’s third match in-a-row was another tricky one. Eastleigh are a physically strong team and getting the better of them is tricky. On this occasion we tried our best to match their physicality and almost held them to a goalless draw. But with less than 60 seconds to go they snuck a player in who poked the ball between two defenders and beyond the reach of Billy in goal. To be fair to Eastleigh, they did hit the woodwork at least three times before that late, late goal.
Then we got to stand around for an hour before our second meeting of the season with Dexters Thunder.
Tournament Story: Dexters Thunder
Like Storm, the first three matches of the day for Thunder were a repeat of those in the previous league round. In that tournament, three points were picked up with a win over Verwood.
After an absence of 308 days, Gary Craig returned to competitive action in the opening match of the day, playing up front against Weymouth. The team played some good football and at times looked quite threatening. Unfortunately, Weymouth were just a bit too strong and ran out 2-0 winners. Interestingly, this was the same result as in Round Four.
The second match of the day was against Verwood, who had just been convincingly beaten (3-0) by Dexters Storm. Once again this result was a repeat of that between these two teams in the previous round – a 2-1 win for Thunder with the goals coming from Gary Craig and captain Darren Snell from the penalty spot in the dying seconds of the match.
We had an hour to fill ahead of a tough match against Dorchester, who had previously beaten us 3-0. Guess what, for the third match in-a-row we replicated the same scoreline as the previous time we played the opponent! Another 3-0 defeat to Dorchester wasn’t helped by the stiffness we felt in our bodies after an hour on the sidelines.
Tournament Story: Thunder vs Storm
The final match of the day saw Storm play Thunder. The last time our two teams met, the tie was abandoned as the sad events of Round Four unfolded. With that in mind, Thunder and Storm hadn’t met since November 2024.
Match report
The league form of the two sides might have suggested a one sided affair. However, Thunder are a different proposition now then when they last met five months ago. Evidence of that was seen in the first 60 seconds when Gary hit the post for Thunder. That was a wake up call for Storm who immediately sounded the alarm bells for more concentration and effort.
There followed a period of end-to-end action which culminated with Luke’s ninth goal of the season, a cracker smashed in from distance. Storm’s early anxiety was quelled and they fell into a decent rhythm.
One nil up at half-time, Storm consolidated their lead with two further goals through Mark Kay – his third of the day and Luke again, reaching double figures for the season. Towards the end of the match Gary was forced off to protect his achilles after he felt a twinge.
Match highlights video
Dexter’s Tournament Results
| Dexters Thunder ⚡ | W1-D0-L3 |
|---|---|
| Weymouth | 0-2 |
| Verwood | 2-1 |
| Dorchester | 0-3 |
| Dexters Storm | 0-3 |
| Dexters Storm 🌪 | W2-D0-L2 |
|---|---|
| Verwood | 3-0 |
| Amesbury | 0-1 |
| Eastleigh | 0-1 |
| Dexters Thunder | 3-0 |
Andy Madden, DSWFC 50s Manager
“So Rory wins the Masters and with it a career grand slam in a play-off with Justin Rose. Gotta be proud to be British. But not as proud as I am to be a Dexters Manager after the performances of the 50s squad today.
“With 3 wins from our two teams, some beautiful, slick football and the togetherness of all our players, this was a day that saw a gear change in the manner of our play which sadly was not rewarded with the results they deserved.
“Another three goals for Luke, three for Mark, one for Snelly and one from the long awaited return to league football of Gary. There’s no doubt that we’ve developed our play across the season, though we still suffer from unforced errors.
“When we fix the reasons for those mistakes, Dexters will be a force to be reckoned with and we get another chance to do that next month. For today, much of the play from both teams was a pleasure to experience.
“Well done fellas. Onwards and, as they say, upwards.”
Paul Gillis, Dexters Storm captain
“Yes, a big thank you to Ian and Mikey. Mikey got some game time for Storm and as usual created havoc with his close control skills, though bloody wish he’d shoot more – well played mate.
“Mark Kay was player of the day for me. Scored goals and defended superbly.
“Billy, made great saves as usual. Dorset, like us, are lucky to have him.
“Bakes, Mr Consistency, was reliable as ever, attacking and defending.
“Simon A, without doubt, the most improved player this season, a threat going forward and always aware defensively
“Luke, such an asset to the club. Every other team would love to have him. A total handful for defenses.
“Proud of ya guys.”
Darren Snell, Dexters Thunder captain
“To the Thunder lads – thank you for your efforts.
“We started the day, I believe, being the better side in the first game against Weymouth, but unfortunately coming away with a loss. We had cohesion and some lovely passages of play – it showed what we can do.
“The game against Verwood was again, a measure of how far we’ve come, having, I think, the majority of the ball and got a deserved win.
“Our third game, against the team, who in my opinion are the best in the league, Dorchester, was a bit of a slog for us, after having an hour break. I think it showed, as our movements and things we’d done well in the first two games, just wasn’t there and unfortunately it went over to our game with Storm.
“It was good to see the return of Gary to action and topping it off with a goal and creating himself chances that on another day would be rippling the back of the net.
“Thank you to Andy Wilson for stepping up to help us with absences – he looked like he’d been playing for us for years. Thanks also to Ian, who was playing with injury and not forgetting the champion of the club, the cat, that is Dave Becall, who made some fantastic saves, keeping us in games.
“Darren Wheeler and Andy Shute were resolute, as always.”
Anthony Rimmer, Results Secretary and Dorchester 50s player
“There was a poignant start as Amesburys Ady Burford reflected on Vinnie Wrights passing, reminding us all to enjoy the time we have and the privilege to be able to continue playing the sport we love. Proud to be part of the Dorset league.”
Dave Bacall, DSWFC Goalkeeper
“Some terrific football was played and with a little more luck we would have picked up more points. I know its the same for both sides but I find the gaps between games really take their toll.“
Tournament Shots
DSWFC Top Scorers
Thunder and Storm combined scorers after Five Rounds are…
| Goals | Player |
|---|---|
| 10 | Luke Hitchen |
| 4 | Darren Snell |
| 3 | Mark Kay |
| 1 | Dave Lodge, Simon Allen, Gary Craig, and own goal |
League Overview
Why not take a look at the league tables, including all results and history for the 50s, 60s and 65s.
Future dates
Just one more league round in the season for the 50s now. Scheduled for May 18 at Littledown in Bournemouth. A majority of teams will be playing five matches that day, to catch up the abandoned matches from the ill fated Round Four.
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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2 Responses
Great stuff Simon…..it’s like reading The Athletic 😊👏👊
Well that is praise indeed – I love The Athletic. Cheers fella.