GLENN Howes admitted securing safety at Step 3 is a “nice feeling” following Dorchester Town’s 1-0 win at Salisbury.
Howes watched on in glorious sunshine at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium as Alfie Stanley’s 48th-minute goal handed the Magpies a third straight win.
Coupled with Kings Langley’s 3-1 defeat at Yate, Dorchester ensured safety in Pitching In Southern League Premier South for 2022/23 with two games to spare.
And Howes was measured in his assessment of the achievement, praising his players and supporters alike.
He told Echosport: “Fundamentally, it’s about securing the club’s status (at Step 3), whether that’s having a point or three.
READ MORE: Salisbury 0-1 Dorchester Town - match report
“We really didn’t want it going to Easter Sunday, Bank Holiday Monday and then you’re stretched out for another seven days.
“It just puts to bed all those fears you might have, it’s a nice feeling – I can’t deny that.”
He added: “I keep harping on about what a job the supporters have done – they’re wonderful, they really are.
“Through these hard times they’ve really got behind their team and pushed the players on.
“We’ve felt a lot of love and it’s hugely appreciated from us, it really is. We’ve had some difficult times this season.
“Other clubs, you see what opinions people have. I think you’ve always got to be constructive in those opinions.
“When we played Merthyr at home a few weeks ago there was a few comments and supporters making their frustrations felt – I get that.
“But you can only get behind what you’ve got. Since that moment, the seriousness of the situation has really been embraced by the supporters, club and players.
“They’ve really pushed us on. I don’t want to get in the habit of celebrating success in terms of securing your status. We want more and to push on.
“But these moments we’re going to enjoy and hopefully have a real carnival atmosphere on Monday when we come to the Avenue.”
READ MORE: Salisbury 0-1 Dorchester Town - how it happened
At the business end of the season, Dorchester were in the bottom three and for a long period destined to go down on points per game.
However, the Magpies turned their fortunes around with four wins in six games – something Howes said took great inner strength from his squad.
“It shows you the personalities and mentality we have,” he said.
“And we’ve questioned it, we really have. We’ve questioned our own mentality in terms of the coaching and management team.
“You can play all the football you want, play all the patterns, but you’ve got to have that willingness and desire.
“I generally feel the last five to six weeks, every fixture we’ve come in to we’ve simply wanted to win that game more than the opposition.
“We’ve shown more desire, the work ethic has been on point. It’s well deserved.”
Asked what survival at Step 3 means for him personally, Howes replied: “It’s a personal question.
“Football’s a team game but sometimes as a manager we understand the position we’re in.
“We take the comments, opinions. I just believe that the club deserves to be in Step 3 football.
“That’s what we’ve seen during this season of other teams and oppositions and how clubs are structured and formed.
“I don’t think anyone can deny that of us. We deserved to retain our status in Step 3.”
Howes also spared applause for ex-Portsmouth striker Stanley, who has netted 13 goals this season.
He said: “He’s learnt an awful lot this season, he really has. It’s been a really good season for him.
“We’ve played him in different positions and he’s persevered, he’s gone through barren runs and adapted to men’s football.
“He didn’t play hardly any football last year and the season before he’s had it all his own way playing under-18s football.
“So, when you’re playing this level sometimes you don’t get the chances you necessarily require.
“We’ve seen him snatch at moments, sometimes you only get one or two chances.
“(The goal) was his only chance. He had an effort outside the box which is a half chance but if you wanted the ball to drop in the box to anybody, it would be that young lad.
“It tells you what we think of his technical ability in and around the box. He deserves it, because he’s worked harder than anybody.
“He’s extremely loveable. I’d sit there and coach him all day – which he probably wouldn’t like!
“He deserves his moments and he’s finishing the season strong.”
Dorchester now host play-off contenders Yate Town on Monday (3pm).
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