DORCHESTER Town boss Glenn Howes described as a “massive plus” Alfie Stanley’s double as the Magpies beat North Leigh 2-1 on the opening day of the season.

Stanley netted twice in the first 23 minutes as Dorchester sped into a 2-0 lead.

Further chances to extend their advantage were not taken and North Leigh retaliated by scoring their first-ever goal at Step 3 level through Ben Brown.

Dorchester’s level dropped off slightly in the second half but the Millers could not capitalise before a heated end to the game saw a skirmish between nearly all players and staff from both teams.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 2-1 North Leigh - match report

Speaking to Dorchester’s media team, Howes said of Stanley: “You want your strikers scoring goals early on.

“You don’t want them waiting a game, two, three. He was absolutely deserving of his two goals.

“You speak about the first goal and it was really well worked down the left-hand side.

“Some nice combinations, Matty Neale, Louie Slough, Shaq (Gwengwe) getting behind and cutting back for Alfie with the backheel.

“That was really good to see. He’s taken his second goal really well, anticipating that pass back to the keeper and finishing from a tight angle.

“We know Alfie will score goals and that’s a massive plus getting him off the mark.

“It won’t be before long when you’ve got your Olly Balmers, your Matt Neales and your Shaquilles on the scoresheet.”

Summing up the win, Howes added: “A win’s a win, three points. There was many moments last year where I don’t think we would’ve had that amount of resilience.

“We’ve given away possession and been sloppy – too many transitions in the second half for our liking.

“I thought we were very good in the first half and second half we were a little on the backfoot, but credit to North Leigh.

“They made a couple of tweaks and changes that brought them back into the game from a set-piece.”

However, Howes praised his defence for a resolute display under late pressure.

“We discussed Arsenal’s display (against Crystal Palace) and them showing a huge amount of resilience,” he said.

“I thought we defended our box really well. The back three has changed, the back four, five.

“They’re new, they’re getting used to each other but I thought they dealt with pretty much everything.

“Jordi (Foot), 17, 18 years old. Kieran (Douglas), Buckers (Callum Buckley), Louie Slough, Harvey (Bertrand) all these young lads.

“They can be extremely proud of their second-half performance. Brad (Snelling), he made one or two stellar saves and commanded his box extremely well and came for a couple of crosses he had no right to get.”

Dorchester are next in action away to Truro City on Saturday (3pm).