Competitive football returns to The Blackmore Vale this weekend for the first time in three months.

The move is allowed as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, which allows the resumption of sports including organised outdoor football. The rules state that changing rooms cannot be used although toilets will be allowed to open, 30 minutes before and after matches. No spectators are allowed but one parent or guardian per child is permitted.

Most non-league football has been abandoned for the season, leaving the senior teams at Shaftesbury, Wincanton and Sherborne with no competitive games. But the Dorset Premier Football League is running an optional League Cup competition for members, and 11 teams have chosen to enter including Gillingham Town, Shaftesbury Reserves and Sturminster Newton United.

The teams have been split into two leagues, of six and five teams: the teams will play each other home and away.
The first games are on Saturday and there are likely to be midweek games throughout the competition. The top two in each group play the semi-finals on May 15, with the final a week later.
The Dorset Football League, one step down from the Premier Football League, is also running a mini-cup competition for members: 13 of its Senior League clubs have joined, including Wincanton Town Reserves,

Stalbridge and Tisbury United. The remaining fixtures in the Dorset Senior Trophy will also begin on April 10, with Tisbury taking on Shaftesbury Reserves in an outstanding second round match for a place in the quarter finals.

Meanwhile, the community Blackmore Vale League resumes on Sunday with nine teams, Hazelbury Hornets having dropped out. Unbeaten leaders Wincanton United Wasps take on South Cheriton Comets before meeting their closest challengers, Donhead Barbarians on April 11.

The demanding schedule means the league may not end until June 27 but a spokesman said: “We are determined to complete the schedule and with everyone’s support, we believe we can achieve this together.”

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.