DORCHESTER Town’s Ability Counts team travelled back from the finals of the People’s FA Cup empty-handed after failing to make it out of the group stages.

The tournament, staged at England’s football centre, St George’s Park, featured sides from around the country.

The Magpies’ first game was against South London-based Warriors, who started the better of the two sides and forced Dorchester goalkeeper Jordan Pitman to make two crucial saves early on.

Dorchester looked to find their feet in the competition, with midfielder Danny Kiy, hitting the side-netting and, soon after, Dan Ralph’s effort demanded a save.

The Warriors got the only goal of the game late on when an alert Warriors’ striker capitalised from an error by Jordan Pitman, as his goal kick was intercepted catching Dorchester’s players off guard to put away the goal to see the Warriors win 1-0.

Next up for the Magpies were Norton Canes who, being from Staffordshire, were locals to the competition.

Dorchester captain Bren Butcher got the first goal in this tight fixture as the Magpies’ captain started a run from his own half before tricking the goalkeeper by faking with the ball before tucking it low to the goalkeeper’s right.

Norton Canes struck back soon after when the Magpies failed to clear their lines following a free-kick and gave possession away from which a Norton player took on the shot first time, and with the area crowded by Dorchester players, and the ball found its way in.

Things got worse for Dorchester as Norton Canes were awarded a penalty due to Jamie Bown entering the area but Pitman proved himself a hero, palming the ball away to his left.

Norton’s pressure paid off late in the game as their striker, although being pushed away by Ralph, managed to find a shot from a tight angle and the ball struck both posts before nestling in the net as the game finished 2-1.

Dorchester’s next opponents were Club Doncaster Titans Grey, affiliated with league side Doncaster Rovers.

The Yorkshire side found the side-netting early on before, Pitman came twice to the Magpies’ rescue, deflecting one strike off of his knee on to the post.

The Dons would have gone ahead if not for a last-ditch challenge from Kieron Eden.

Dorchester’s best chance of the game came with the last kick, when Ralph laid the ball off to Butcher from a free-kick, who, with his first time effort saw the ball tipped away but the game finished goalless.

Magpies’ coach Jason Brookes thought that his side could have done better, and that the game was a hard lesson for his team to learn from.

Up next for Dorchester, Swale Tigers, of Kent who beat the Magpies when they reached the semi-finals last season.

Ralph teed up Kiy for a shot but the effort went over the bar.

Kieran Pitman tried his luck from range though scuffed his shot.

Dorchester continued their pressure with Ralph striking the post, after finding a shot from a tight angle.

Ralph was looking sharp as he teed up Butcher for a shot, which was tipped over but frustration was mounting for the Magpies, with an effort from Kiy flying over and it was another 0-0 for Dorchester.

Dorchester’s final game was against Worcester’s Aspie Avengers, and anything less than a win would see the Magpies eliminated but they needed other results to go in their favour.

The Avengers hit the post early on but the Magpies struck back through Butcher.

The captain was found in space at the edge of the box, and knocked it through the goalkeeper’s legs to hand the Magpies the lead.

The Avengers were then awarded a contentious penalty, which they converted to draw the game level.

However, it was not level for long as Dorchester were awarded a penalty moments later which Butcher scored, chipping it coolly past the goalkeeper’s left.

With the game tense, the Avengers were given another penalty in the last seconds. The atmosphere around the pitch was tense and Jordan Pitman touched the ball away to his left to save it, to win the game.

Brookes thought that this game was Dorchester’s “just desserts” for their display in the tournament, and hope Dorchester go even further next season.

Although Dorchester won, due to Norton Canes forfeiting their game with Doncaster the Yorkshire side went through on goal difference, due to the 3-0 result from the forfeit.

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