Commentary by Andy Madden
For the first time ever, Dexter Sports Walking Football Club entered a tournament with two 50s teams and two 60s teams… or at least, that was the plan for our first foray into the FA Walking Football Cup!
The 50s Tournament
Here we’re looking at the 50s tournament. If you’re interested in the 60s tournament which happened in the afternoon of the same day, take a look at our 60s FA Walking Football Cup review.
With a bunch of absentees already robbing the 50s of some quality players, the withdrawals of our Dorset ‘keeper Billy Bulloch, and recent signing Martin Ball on the eve of the tournament, left Storm with four players and Thunder with seven.
On matchday morning we decided to pull Storm from the competition and combine the available players from both squads to play under the Thunder banner.
They’d need to compete against three strong outfits to qualify… Dorchester, Sherborne and Weymouth. Each match would last 30 minutes in a round-robin format, with the top two qualifying for the Regional Finals in Newton Abbot on 7 September.
What is the FA Walking Football Cup?
Read our article to find out…
Dexters Thunder 1-0 Weymouth
This was a cagey affair, and although it was only a 1-0 victory, Andy Madden was delighted to say “…it was the best performance I’d seen from a 50s team since I became manager”.
After the match, one of the Weymouth players said they couldn’t get near us, that they were chasing us all over the pitch and we’d given them a lesson in how to play walking football!
It was the best performance I’d seen from a 50s team since I became manager.”
Andy Madden, DSWFC 50s Manager
Dexters Thunder 1-1 Dorchester
Our second match was against a strong Dorchester side. We’d been led to believe there’s was a weakened team – nevertheless it included at least three County players.
Our general play deserved more than a draw, but having gone a goal up we conceded a penalty for four not-walking offenses.
We stuck to our game, and should maybe have nicked a win, but Luke’s “goal” was disallowed for not-walking when we were already 1-0 up. It was a satisfying point all the same.
Dexters Thunder 1-1 Sherborne
These were four very evenly matched teams in the group, with each taking points from the others so our final match against Sherborne was crucial.
A win would see us finish in top spot and definitely through, while a draw would leave us depending on the other match going our way!
In our game, the Sherborne man between the sticks played out of his skin, making four or five remarkable saves before we went a goal behind.
We continued to pressure but still couldn’t find a way past their ‘keeper.
In the dying moments, Andy was heard to yell “Noooo!” from the sideline as captain Snelly (Darren Snell) shaped to strike from an outrageous distance. The yell of despair turned to a joyful “YEEEES” when it slammed into the corner of the net! And that’s how it finished – another draw.
The other result did go our way and, finishing on five points from nine, Thunder were crowned FA Waking Football Cup Champions of Dorset and can look forward to a trip to Newton Abbott in September to compete in the Regional Finals.
Group Table and Results
Group Table
FA Walking Football Cup 2025 – Dorset County FA Qualifying
| Team | W-D-L | F-A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder | 1-2-0 | 3-2 | 5 |
| Dorchester | 1-1-1 | 6-6 | 4 |
| Sherborne | 1-1-1 | 5-5 | 4 |
| Weymouth | 1-0-2 | 2-3 | 3 |
Results
FA Walking Football Cup 2025 – Dorset County FA Qualifying
| Thunder | 1-0 | Weymouth |
| Sherborne | 4-3 | Dorchester |
| Weymouth | 1-0 | Sherborne |
| Thunder | 1-1 | Dorchester |
| Dorchester | 2-1 | Weymouth |
| Sherborne | 1-1 | Thunder |
Comments and views
Managers Missive
Andy Madden, DSWFC 50s Manager
“This was a great day. Every player in the squad played their part in producing some beautiful football. Every substitution brought freshness and consistency to our game, but a special mention must be made of Darren Snell who led by Captains example and played every minute of every game. I’m a very proud Manager.”
Captain’s Corner
Darren Snell, DSWFC 50s Captain
“Thank you for the mention Andy, but it was an honour to be the captain today. Everybody played their part, starter’s, sub’s, and management giving us a rollocking when it was warranted. Also, thanks to Kate for running around like a blue-arsed fly, making sure everyone was hydrated and let’s not forget the support from non-playing player’s, friends and family – it was a proper family called Dexter’s.” ❤️
“And just to further comment, we were disciplined and in control of our game’s. We didn’t panic when we went one down against Sherborne, and we kept playing our game. All our squad contributed to the plan – well done everyone.” 👏👏👏
Players Prose
Dave Reeve, DSWFC 60s Player
“Brilliant day – thoroughly enjoyed it. Great team mates, best club. Congratulations 50s you deserved it. 👏 All the best in the regionals on the 7th September. Go Dexters.” ⚽️
Simon Baker, DSWFC 50s Player
“Top day today, well done to all who played. 50s, we played some fantastic football today, everyone put a shift in, and we were the best team by far and fully deserve our place in the next round. Bring on THE FA CUP glory. TV rights are no doubt being discussed by the big companies.” 🤣🤣🏆🏆
Peter Kane, DSWFC 60s Captain
“Brilliant effort from all the Dexters lads today. 👏👏👏 Well done to the 50s boys who thoroughly deserved to fly the flag for us in the next round. Good luck chaps.” 🔵🔴🔵🔴👏👍⚽️
Darren Snell, DSWFC 50s Thunder Captain
“Well done ThunderStorm, brilliant effort from everyone & thoroughly deserved. 👏 👏👏 Unlucky 60’s, but a valiant effort finishing second – but a great day for the Dexter’s family.” 💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️
Billy Bulloch, DSWFC Storm Goalkeeper
“Lightning- you guys have just produced the best results we have had!!(in my opinion) outstanding!!!!!!” ❤️💙❤️💙
Ken Vater, DSWFC 60s Player
“Well done to the 50’s for going through to the next round and well done to the rest of the guys. All in all a good day.” 👍
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