26 05 2024 10am to 1pm
Its time for the Axminster Summer Tournaments to begin!
10am to 1pm
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Then drinks, social and maybe some BBQ grub at:
The Lamb pub, Axminster!
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Places are now FULL for this tournament. If you have to pull out for any reason please let Bob or Mick know ASAP so any others who maybe interested can get a chance to join in.
We are looking at a maximum of 8 teams for the tournament.
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21 04 2024
It was a tough day at Ottery for our players coming into a new Walking football regime and WFA cup tournament cup for the first time.
Back row Ian Dolan Mick Holdsworth Dage Gage Gary Flaman, Paul Feltcher
Front row Ian Riddle and Stuart Cossins.
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The team led the way in to the new tournament and had a cracking start! Within minutes Stuart taking the team into the lead against a strong Ottery WFC side. There was clear ambition from both teams to do well. Attacking play continued both ways. Sadly Otter got back in to the game and just pipped Axminster to the post at the end of the game sealing a 2-1 win.
That was clearly not the way the team wanted the tournament to go on. In their next game against Honiton individual quality continued to shine with some lovely moments and good passing. Albeit there was opportunity to continue to learn about being more vocal and holding positions and not wandering. Gary Flatman made the difference in this game taking the team to a win with a superbly struck penalty.
Next up was a very well prepared Sidmouth team who with a little fortune were able to get the better of a dubious penalty area decision. The goal they created was well executed however, some may argue that the moment the ball was struck, the strikers foot was over the goal keepers semi circle line. A hard call that unfortunately on this occasion, didn't go Axminister's way.
Moving on as Axminster do they came back with a very strong performance against an Exeter Strollers Over 50's team. Axminster being a mixed age group team did very well indeed. Dave Gage making some excellent saves with Ian Riddle and Ian Dolan making life very difficult for Exeter. The game was pretty even considering the age differences and Axminster pushed on. There was opportunities both ends and Axminster were un lucky not to capitalise on some shots that narrowly went passed the Strollers uprights.
A well deserved draw 0-0.
Coming in to the last games Axminster renewed their vigour but through all the effort lost to Bridport 1-0 (another narrow game) but took on a tricky well practiced Exeter Ladies team and beat them 1-0.
The results meant Axminster could not go forward missing out by one goal in the goal difference in the league.
The day was never the less enjoyable, sunny and topped off by a couple of jars at the White Hart in Wilmington.
A huge thank you and congratulations to the whole team. A great day.
Walking Football Rules Updated 04/04/2024 please see the Walking Football Info Page.
Also there is the Disciplinary Process and a Schedule of offences and Periods of Suspension
News Update 01/04/2024
Nigel Williams on Lyme Bay Radio - Check this out!
4th Feb Teignmouth Match Report
Champagne Result!
A Headline Result – Out of the dark!
Today eight players from the Axminster squad travelled to the Alive Centre in Teignmouth for the County level preseason friendly. You would expect that as the only club there we would have come home with a wooden spoon given all our competitors were county teams, yet no – far from it.
The Team: Keith Miller, Neil Martin, Steve Driscoll, Simon Dowling, Don MacLeod, Stuart Cossins, Paul Fletcher and myself (Bob Burton) all pictured right.
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The afternoon started well with Axminster playing Devon Rovers. Immediately our shape that we have only trained in the basics so far, worked.
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In under two minutes AWFUL were one up with Stuart Cossins finding the back of the net after holding off several challenges! We could not have asked for a better start. It sent an immediate shock wave to the opposition and the other teams at the ground. It was not long before Simon Dowling broke free and with a stunning shot smashed the ball into the top right corner, putting Axminster well and truly in command.
At the mid-way point Stuart and Simon made way for Steve Driscoll and Don MacLeod who came on to see us through to the end of the game. Both making an impact of the game with Steve Driscoll slotting home our third goal and Don MacLeod showing some excellent skills creating us several other chances. Paul Fletcher in midfield was also making great opportunities holding the centre ground and defending when needed.
At the back Neil Martin and Keith Miller were in command and broke down everything Devon had come forward with.
Axminster 3 - Devon Rovers 0
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The next game was against Dorset Blues. Another very impressive game for the AWFULS, with Dorset on the ropes for most of the match. Sadly, it was a lucky goal that made the difference. A shot aided by a pitch marking cone on the edge of the area, deflected the ball into the net. It was the only difference between the two sides!
Axminster 0 - Dorset Blues 1
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Next up was a very impressive and well organised Somerset County squad. They were a strong side with the potential to offer any county team a good game. Undeterred by the previous result AWFUL cracked on and after going 1- 0 down before the halfway mark AWFUL were still making life really difficult for arguably one the best teams on the day.
Repeatedly squeezing Somerset back it showed our strength and skill and clearly rattled the opposition. All Somerset players were on the back foot, and it was the continual unexepected AWFUL pressure that was rubbed in when up stepped Stuart Cossins for his second goal of the afternoon! A stunning shot from the left by line which the keeper had not expected. The ball crossed the line, hit the back post, and went in! Somerset were in shock.
The match ended in a well-deserved draw.
Axminster 1 - Somerset 1
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We came second in our league and we went through to the next round with heads held high and rightly so.
From there on we played two more teams. Dorset Rovers and then Cornwall. Unfortunately, we lost both games by one goal but they were remarkably close games and could have gone in our favour.
AWFUL had both teams on the ropes and to keep us out the opposition had to resort to possession and running the ball into areas where they could waste time. They were relieved to hear the final whistle.
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Coming together to play for the first time as AWFUL and against all county teams in the southwest, it was an incredible achievement and a huge result for Axminster.
Lessons learnt included retaining possession of the ball, moving the ball quickly when in possession and with more training in the months to come - continue to work on our shape. It is now tried and tested and it works!
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If we had been playing in Trafalgar Square, I could have used the cat amongst the Pidgeon's pun! That is, something that maybe will be talked about – who knows!
Regardless though folks hail this! As one of the eight teams in the tournament, seven of whom were county squads, we came 4th! !
It is time to pop the Champagne!! What a Result!!!!
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24th January 2024 -
AWFUL become FA JUSTPLAY Centre
Today we became a Devon FA Just Play Centre.
A huge thank you to everyone!
We had a good night at the 3G pitch this evening. Thank you to everyone for getting ready in kit for the photo and for making the evening go smoothly. Thank you Ian Dolan for bringing the kit and allocating shirts and thank you Jon Hirons for doing the photographs (top right). As well as getting our banner we also have some new bibs, footballs and cones. Once we have completed a few weeks we will receive a cheque for £245 to support us with whatever we want, courses etc. Now we are live on Wednesdays as a group for Axminster we may well have new players who want to 'Just Play', come and join us. Following the photo it was a good session this evening with 18 players. Thank you all again for participating and supporting the evening.
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Photographs courtesy of
J Hirons/Buffalo Lounge Studios
2nd Devon Trials goes ahead at Teignmouth
Sunday 7th January 2024 At the Alive Sports Centre in Teignmouth today, the second trials for the Devon Over 60's, 65's and 70's was held. It was a cold afternoon but that did not deter the 24 trialists from putting on some excellent team and individual performances.
Keith Miller and Stephen Driscoll were in action and made an excellent impression on the organisers. It was another very well organised event and with some excellent referee's who deserve a mention as they applied the WFA rules very well indeed.
Keith added..."Bob asked me to jot down a couple of sentences about the trials today at Teignmouth so, in accordance with my policy as a content provider to provide value, here's three.
Lovely day for it on a very good pitch, it's a bit odd turning up and playing with a group of people you never met but it turns out they were to a man a good bunch of blokes and the matches were played in really good spirit and strictly refereed, which helped. The games were pretty intense and a few of the players played together at league level so working as part of a team and movement were at a premium but good fun with lots of talking and encouragement between players; it was good fun.
And, giving my trumpet a blow, there weren't many forwards, so I played 2 games up-front; and I only went and scored a goal! Wha-hey!"
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Both Keith and Steve may hear more in the future and I know that we all wish them well for selection.
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I don't know when there will be more trials but I am sure there will be in the coming months. As soon as I hear more I will let everyone know. I am hoping we can do one closer to home which several have expressed an interest in.
Jimmy Mitra Passes the
EE Playmaker Course
Tuesday 2nd January 2024 we are pleased to announce that after taking the online EE playmaker course Jimmy has passed. It only takes a few hours and is worth doing. Jimmy can now support the first aiders and coaching sessions when he is here.
Jimmy added - 'The EE Playmaker Course provides practical suggestions for conducting safe and fun football sessions. In the Walking Football community, we come from an age where inclusivity and appropriateness of behaviour lacked the prominence they have today. The course provides genuinely useful guidance on both of these sensitive topics. It is free to do, helps our club to fulfil its FA obligations, and is both interesting and stimulating.
Axminster can enter 2nd Devon Trials for Over 60's, 65's and 70's.
Trials will take place on Sunday 7th January 2024 in the afternoon, at Teignmouth.
This will be at the Alive Sports Centre TQ14 9HZ at 1PM.
Astro boots required.
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Players wishing to take part must contact Bob Burton with completed form asap.
Axminster enter Devon Trials for Over 60's.
Leading the way on Friday 29th December 2023 was Stephen Driscoll (pictured right).
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It was a windy morning following storms and the pitch, a form of astro surface, was wet - making the ball skid and difficult to control.
Steve played really well individually and as part of his team. Creating chances as a midfielder and getting shots off at the goal. We hope he is successful and gets an opportunity to represent his county.
Taking on a trialist defender from the Exeter Strollers, Steve twists and gets a shot off on the target.
Steve said 'it was a fun morning with a really friendly, positive vibe. Enjoyed it a lot.'
