DORCHESTER Town signed off on a “fantastic” renewal of their Magpies Football Festival at the Avenue Stadium, with 112 youth teams taking part.

The Magpies’ tournament stretches over two days and features girls’ and boys’ teams from under-seven to under-15 age groups.

After the group stage, with matches lasting eight or 12 minutes depending on the age category, the knockout format comprised of semi-finals leading to finals.

And in the boys’ under-seven event, Ilchester Youth took victory over Wimborne and Holt on penalties despite finishing behind their opponents in the group stage.

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Under-eight boys’ group winners Pen Mill Panthers and Holt Youth also needed penalties to separate them in the final, with Panthers coming out on top.

Bournemouth Sports defeated Redlands Rebels 2-1 to win the under-nines boys, while Dorchester Town Youth FC S were beaten on penalties by Wimborne and Holt after a 1-1 draw in the under-tens boys.

Dexter Sports Bulldogs beat Dorchester Town Raiders on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the under-11 boys’ final, but there was a crushing 6-0 win for Wimborne and Holt over Dorset Leopards in the under-12 boys final.

Dorchester Town Magpies J were beaten on penalties by Maiden Newton after a 0-0 draw in the under-13 boys’ final and there was an identical fate for Pen Mill Panthers against under-14 winners Sturminster Marshall Comets.

In the under-nine girls’ final, Lilliput beat Gillingham on penalties – again following a 0-0 draw – before Wessex Lionesses B defeated Dorchester Town Youth B 3-0 in the under-11s final.

And in the closing finals of the festival, a determined Sherborne Town beat Merley Cobham A in the under-13 girls’ final, before Pen Mill Lionesses A beat Ilminster Dolphins 4-3 on penalties after a goalless under-15s final.

Speaking to Echosport, Dorchester Town chairman Scott Symes noted the hard work undertaken across the weekend by the Magpies’ army of volunteers.

He said: “It’s a great couple of days, it’s gone like clockwork with over 100 teams – it’s been fantastic.

“The weather’s been great and just a massive thank you from me to the volunteers who stick it out. It’s two 12-hour days. You’re here at 7am and getting home at half seven.

“A fantastic effort from everyone and really, really enjoyable football by the girls and the boys."