YOUNG footballers in Weymouth are over the moon after winning their first match since forming nearly two seasons ago.

Chickerell Sonics Under-9s failed to win any of their 18 games last year and had conceded 76 goals with just eight scored halfway through this season.

But hero Jack Ferguson ended the dismal run of defeats when he hit the winner as his side beat Weymouth FC Terras 1-0.

Jubilant team-mates carried the eight-year-old off the pitch after his glory strike racked up their first victory since they formed to play in 2003.

Manager Andy Rosewell said: "It was quite an achievement for the team. They were elated and carried Jack off on their shoulders as if they had won the FA Cup."

He added: "Weymouth FC Terras were in a similar position to us at the bottom of the table with no points.

"It was a very even game, very sporting and they took it very well."

Now the Chickerell Sonics have climbed to second from bottom in the seven-a-side mini-soccer league for under- nines. They formed last year for the under-eights league but failed to win a match, although they drew one game 0-0 at Portland.

This year boss Rosewell added two players but essentially kept the same squad as last season.

They were losing heavily, including 17-0 and 8-0 defeats, and had shipped 76 goals in their eight games in the current campaign before their victory.

Jack's goal came in their ninth game of the season, the halfway mark of their 2004 to 2005 campaign.

Mr Rosewell, of Lower Putton Lane, said: "The lads go out on a Sunday and they were chuffed to have won."

The winning Chickerell team included Jack and Mr Rosewell's eight-year-old son Shaun.

Other players were Harry Davidge, Jordan Davie, Tyler Purnell, Fabian Peterkin, Jasper Gutteridge, Reece Knell and Adam Stewart.