Dorkinians first team left it late to secure their share of the spoils in the final competitive fixture of the 2025/26 season.

Confidence in the squad was high following their cup final victory earlier in the week, also in the knowledge that three points would secure the inaugural Southern Amateur League Senior Division I title. However, the challenge remained substantial, as they had left the toughest challenge to last with an away trip to title rivals Nottsborough.

The early passages of the game revealed exactly this challenge, as a better rested Nottsborough team flew out the blocks. A few tough tackles and early chances later, the home side found themselves one goal to the good, via the head of Harry Bayles climbing highest at the back post from a stood up cross from the byline.

Shocking the Dorkinians into action, they began to better build attacking phases. After twenty minutes, the returning Phil Robinson picked the ball up on the half-turn, creating space to release striker Craig Kingswell on goal. The ensuing Nottsborough keeper Ben Lancaster initially did well to close down his opponent, but upon retreating towards his goal handled a goal-bound shot outside of the box, seeing red.

After the resulting free kick which saw Dorkinians go agonisingly close to equalising, the home side retreated into a an almost impenetrable low-block for the remainder of the half. This continued into the second with little opportunity for Dorkinians to fashion chances to challenge the new stand-in opposition keeper. When Nottsborough did win the ball back they continued to break quickly, forcing the eventual man of the match Toby Pegge to be at his best in the heart of defence.

There was one chance of note for Dorkinians, whereby parity was almost restored via the left boot of Adam Neale. He went closest with a thunderous long-range effort only for it to be impressively tipped onto the bar by the aforementioned substitute keeper.

It looked as if the 10-men of Nottsborough were to pull off an incredible result, securing the league title for themselves with an impressive defensive victory. However, as has been the case throughout the season, Dorkinians found their moment of brilliance. Winger Louis Rosher cut across the pitch to beat his defender, sliding a pass into the path of Sam Rowley, whose turn of pace bought him the smallest window of time and space to unleash a wonderful strike that careered off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.

An elated travelling support were rallied, willing on their Dorkinians side to find and find the winner. It was however Nottsborough who almost had the final say on the counter-attack. Bayles mazy run forward slipped through the Dorkinians rearguard, before a smart reverse finish almost caught out goalkeeper Henry Warne, who had to be at his very best to tip it round the post.

As the final whistle blew on the match, but also Dorkinians season, a strange feeling of uncertainty was brought with it. A win next week for Nottsborough will secure them the title, with any other result meaning Dorkinians walk away from the 2025/26 season as champions. Ultimately only time will tell whose name is on the trophy to take the glory, but either way Dorkinians first team can look back proudly at an enormously impressive season.