WINCHESTER CITY U23s 1

DORCHESTER TOWN U23s 3

DORCHESTER Town Under-23s completed a “phenomenal” treble by beating Winchester City Under-23s 3-1 in their own backyard to clinch the John Stimpson Memorial Shield.

Coming into the game, Brian Churchill’s Magpies had already claimed a Hampshire Combination and Development League and Cup double.

Dorchester had completed the league portion of that double just two days previously and, while the Magpies were dismayed at the short turnaround between games, they channelled any frustration superbly.

The end result was a first-half performance that effectively settled the destiny of the shield, as Dorchester registered a 3-0 lead by the break.

READ MORE: How Dorchester Town U23s won the league

Jamie Johnston, fresh from a brace in the 6-2 win at AFC Stoneham on Tuesday, got the ball rolling in the 22nd minute.

Remus Nixon then grabbed two goals in the space of eight minutes to leave Winchester stunned.

And although Winch pulled a goal back from the spot on 72 minutes, Dorchester comfortably saw out the match to secure an historic treble.

The achievement proved an early present for Churchill on the eve of his birthday, the manager describing the occasion as a “special” night.

He told Echosport: “The lads were buzzing, they played the game to the letter of what we asked them to do.

“They just blew Winchester away in the first half and they didn’t have any response to us.

“We set up in a slightly different formation than we usually do because they were watching us on the Tuesday night.

“All the players executed their roles perfectly and it was probably on the best 45s we’ve had this season. I think Winchester were a little bit shellshocked.

“I said to the players beforehand: ‘You’ve got the chance to do something very special’.

“There’s not many opportunities you get in life to do a treble in football.

“People do a double sometimes but winning every competition you’ve entered is just phenomenal.

“I think they’ll look back in future years and think: ‘Wow, what an achievement that was’.

“Immensely proud of everyone involved, it’s a really good day for Dorchester.”

There could be further success on the horizon for Dorchester as the Magpies’ Under-18s have their own chance to complete a treble next week with two cup finals.