This league round was the final one of DSWFC’s debut season in the 65s Dorset Walking Football League. Spoiler alert: we’re pleased and encouraged to have finished the season in third spot and we’re looking forward to next season already.
The sixth and final round of the 65s season was played at the 1610 leisure center in Dorchester. This was ironic seeing as Dorchester weren’t able to field a team on the day and had to hand out 3-0 walkover wins to all their opponents!
DSWFC Matchday Squad
Ed Perkins | Mark Ciano | Dave Bacall (GK, captain) | Jonathan Martin | Clive Robinson | Merv Young | Peter Cherryman | Paul Kybert | Andy Madden
DSWFC Match Reports
Bournemouth Reds (0-0)
Previous 2024/25 results: 1-2, 1-0, 0-0, 0-2, 0-1
Our opening match was against Bournemouth Reds who were in second spot ahead of us in third. We went into the match with a game plan. The players stuck to it admirably, securing a 0-0 draw. There were standout performances in particular from Ed in midfield and David in goal.
Weymouth (1-1)
Previous 2024/25 results: 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 2-0
Next came Weymouth, who we’d beaten every time this season so far. This time though it ended 1-1, with a good goal from Pete Cherryman. Once again David was a rock in goal, alongside an in-form Jonathan at the back. Weymouth put us under a great deal of pressure and could easily have sneaked the result but for the work rate of the squad.
Eastleigh (2-3)
Previous 2024/25 results: 1-3, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-2
Our penultimate match was against Eastleigh, the runaway leaders. They’d only conceded four goals all season – that’s four goals in 28 matches!
We got off to a great start and were deservedly 2-0 up through Merv and Andy (with his 11th goal of the season). We were in control but seemed to ease off as we defended our lead, which isn’t our game.
Eastleigh scored two very good goals in quick succession and then we had the heartbreak of conceding a third to a penalty for four non-walking offences. A 2-3 defeat and lots of compliments from our opponents, but it was little consolation for a disappointed squad.
Dorchester (3-0, walkover)
Dorchester would have been our third match of the day, but instead, like everyone else, we were awarded a 3-0 victory. It’s a shame for everyone involved when clubs aren’t able to field teams. We hope Dorchester are able to enter next season with a full compliment and be the cracking opponents they can be.
Bournemouth Whites (0-3)
Previous 2024/25 results: 1-3, 0-1, 0-2, 1-0, 1-0
Our last match of the season saw the wheels come off against Bournemouth Whites! We’d not lost to them all season and they were firmly bottom of the table. We went down 0-3 and credit to them for taking advantage of what was probably something of a hangover from the Eastleigh match – the stuffing had been knocked out of us.
DSWFC Thoughts
Paul Kybert, DSWFC 65s Manager
“It would be easy to focus on the negatives from the day but I prefer to look at the positives of the whole season.
“This was our debut season in the 65s league and for much of that we played with a bare side of seven players due to a mixture of injuries and holidays. We were able to secure third spot and it bodes well for next season with a couple of new player’s eligible for the squad and hopefully the rest of us staying fit and free from injury.
“The atmosphere within the group has been great with players being supportive and encouraging of each other throughout the season. I hope all members of the squad have enjoyed the chance to play in the league and will also take away the positives from the season, and share my belief that with a bit of work before next season we will be in a position to take a step forward and improve on where we finished this year.
“Thanks to all of you for your commitment and efforts.”
David Bacall, Dexters 65s Captain
“Third place but plenty of reasons to be cheerful. From my vantage point at the back some fantastic football was played. The last round brought out the best and worst of us. Leading 2-0 against pesky top of the table Eastleigh only to lose 3-2, then losing 3-0 to the wooden spooners. But all things considered a very satisfying league position, and most of all a great bunch of lads to be lining up alongside. Bring on next season.”
DSWFC Player Stats
At the end of the six tournament season, four players (Peter C, Paul K, Jonathan, and Clive) attended all rounds and Andy Madden was our top scorer (with 11 goals in five tournaments).
| Player | Tournaments | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Bacall, Dave | 4 | |
| Cherryman, Peter | 6 | 2 |
| Ciano, Mark | 2 | 1 |
| Greenfield, Brian | 2 | 1 |
| Kane, Peter | 5 | 7 |
| Kybert, Paul | 6 | |
| Madden, Andy | 5 | 11 |
| Martin, Jonathan | 6 | |
| Perkins, Ed | 3 | |
| Robinson, Clive | 6 | |
| Young, Merv | 4 | 4 |
League Overview
Why not take a look at the league tables, including all results and history for the 50s, 60s and 65s.
Future dates
This was the final league round of the 65s Dorset Walking Football League
Apart from the 65s League Cup tournament, which is currently scheduled for 19 June at the County Ground, there are no further tournaments planned for the 65s.
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…
