POOLE Town Ladies’ football team followed in the footsteps of their recently-promoted male counterparts last week with well-earned cup success.

Just three days after the men’s side secured the Southern League title, the women's team overcame Dorchester Town Ladies in the final of the Dorset FA Women’s County Cup with a hard fought 3-1 victory.

More than 100 spectators watched the Dolphins come from a goal down at the County Ground on Tuesday night, clinching the trophy for the third year running with strikes from Sacha Paynter, Samantha Gubb and Emma Acott.

Manager Alvin Gunputh said he was delighted his team managed to cope with the pressure of high expectations – and now hopes they can push on to win promotion as well.

“This is my first year in charge as manager so for me and the coaching staff it was a big achievement,” said Mr Gunputh, himself an ex-Poole Town FC player.

“It’s also a good sign for women’s football in Dorset that the number of people watching these games is going up.

“Two years ago you were looking at maybe 30 or 40 spectators, but on Tuesday it was closer to 110 or 120 people.

“It just goes to show how the sport itself is gaining more momentum. I think that is mainly down to the success of the England women’s team.”

Mr Gunputh said he believes the achievement of the men’s side, who beat Dunstable 3-0 on the previous Saturday to move up to non-league football’s second tier after a 25-year absence, spurred his side on.

“That does trickle down to our players’ mentality, and the coaches as well," he said.

“We look to them for inspiration, and what they’ve recently achieved definitely gave us the impetus to go out there and put on a performance to be proud of."