IT WAS a day to remember for Dorchester Town’s Ability Counts side as they won the regional finals of the People’s FA Cup at Hampshire’s FA ground in Havant.

The victory assures the Magpies of a place in the People’s FA Cup Finals at the FA’s National training centre, St George’s Park for a second year running.

The Magpies’ first fixture was against rivals AFC Bournemouth and it was Dorchester, who won 1-0 thanks to captain Bren Butcher.

Dorchester’s next fixture was against Brighton & Hove Albion’s ‘Albion in the community’ side.

The Seagulls started the game strongly, and forced Jordan Pitman to commit a string of diving saves.

However, Brighton eventually broke the deadlock, when their striker fired the ball in from range.

The Magpies had tried to compose themselves, but the Seagulls had doubled their lead after Dorchester players had failed to clear the ball following a double save at close range from Pitman.

Brighton found a third soon after, Dorchester again failing to keep their heads at the back.

The Magpies snatched a consolation goal in the final seconds, as Kiy fired the ball straight through the goalkeeper’s legs as Brighton won 3-1.

Dorchester’s final group game was against Bournemouth again and a win or draw would see Dorchester play Brighton for a place at St George’s Park.

The Magpies were feeling confident and nearly got an early goal, but Bown blazed Butcher’s pass over the bar.

The pressure built by Dorchester was undone when Bournemouth fired in a shot from range catching Pitman unaware, with the ball going through his legs.

With time running out, Butcher had to be substituted for defender Jack Harrison, who then scored his first goal in two years for Dorchester with a wonder strike from 25 yards to secure the 1-1 draw, and a showpiece against Brighton.

Both finalists struggled to make early progress, with neither side making an attempt in the first half.

Bown’s set-pieces were part of the success of this side, and it was his corner, which deflected off a defender to roll in, which broke the deadlock.

Dorchester had blocked a number of shots in quick succession, though the tenacious Brighton scored an equaliser from a corner.

With moments left before penalties, Dorchester took the game, when Kieran Pitman laid the ball off to Butcher who tapped the ball into an empty net to seal victory.

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