BRIAN Churchill insisted Dorchester Town’s 2-1 win over Swindon Supermarine is “just the start” of a critical run of fixtures.
Alfie Stanley volleyed home in the first half before converting a penalty in the second half when Yemi Odubade was upended by former Dorchester keeper Martin Horsell.
Dorchester’s 2-0 lead only looked in danger for 30 seconds following Harry Williams’ 93rd-minute consolation as the Magpies closed out a sixth home league win of the season.
First-team coach Churchill, along with manager Glenn Howes and assistant James Wood, now go into ‘Mega March’ looking to haul Dorchester out of relegation danger.
As it stands, Dorchester would go down as the worst of the four third-bottom sides in Step 3, but the victory narrowed the Magpies’ points per game (PPG) deficit.
READ MORE: Dorchester Town 2-1 Swindon Supermarine - match report
It means the Magpies are currently just 0.08 PPG away from safety, while they trail Kings Langley by one point with Lango occupying 19th – the final safe position in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South standings.
Speaking to Echosport, Churchill felt Dorchester’s margin of victory could have been greater.
He said: “I thought we were real good value for those three points.
“There was that blot on the landscape when they scored in added time but it could’ve been a lot more.
“We played well and they didn’t wake up until we went 2-0 up, then they caused us a few problems, but we were well deserving of the three points.
“That is just the start of our 10-game period where we’ve got to string some more performances and results together.”
Churchill also praised Stanley, whose brace took him above Sam Bayston as Dorchester’s top scorer with nine goals this season.
“Woodsy went to watch them midweek, Swindon, so we lined up accordingly and we thought Alfie would get some joy in between the defence and midfield in that little pocket,” he said.
“To be fair, Alfie won us that game playing in that position. He probably deserves a hat-trick, if we’re honest. He fed on that space and it worked out really well.”
Elaborating on Stanley’s first, Churchill revealed his strike stemmed from an improvised corner routine.
He said: “We’ve got to praise the team for that because it wasn’t on script!
“They developed that themselves and Alfie arriving at the back post worked out really nicely.
“It was a good sidefoot finish and it’s just about being at the place at the right time for Alfie. He grew in confidence throughout the game and proved a real thorn in their side.”
He added: “Glenn spoke at half-time, thought we were in second gear and that we could vastly improve.
“It was a really nice time to score, on the hour. It just settles us down. Then our game management was a little bit better for the last half hour. Just that blot on the landscape on 93 minutes.”
On the penalty, Churchill highlighted Odubade’s role in the goal.
He said: “Yemi held the front line for us really well. He’s a bright, intelligent footballer. With half a chance of nicking that ball in front of the keeper, it was brilliant to earn us that penalty.
“Alfie duly obliged with the perfect spot-kick.”
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