MATTY Holmes described as “absolute heroes” the status that awaits his Wimborne Town squad if they can avoid relegation and successfully defend the Dorset Senior Cup.

In the next month, Magpies could secure their place in step three of the non-league pyramid for another season and deliver silverware to Cuthbury.

Tomorrow, Holmes’s men must first overcome Western Premier outfit Bridport at KoolPak Stadium (7.45pm) to book their place in the Dorset Senior Cup final.

Last month, there had been whispers of a play-off push but three defeats in a row before Saturday’s draw with Weymouth slipped Wimborne back towards the drop-zone.

Magpies currently sit 13th and five points above the bottom three, with seven matches to play.

Asked how much Southern League South survival and retention of the county competition would mean, Holmes told the Daily Echo: “It would be unbelievable and absolutely incredible.

“If the lads achieved it they would be absolute heroes, especially after the difficult start to the season. The objective this season was always to consolidate and move forward in the future.

“We had a good spell and pushed up the league. Some people got a bit excited but I knew we had this heavy run of fixtures against top teams in one block and you get dragged back down into it.

“Now we need to try to stabilise and pick up the last vital few wins to get us over the line. We have a tiny cushion but it can easily be overturned if we do not concentrate.

“To win the Dorset Cup again would be fantastic when we had not won it for more than 20 years before last season. If we could do two on the trot, or even reach the final, it would be a great achievement. However, we have to prioritise league survival in the games we have left and I have a lot of confidence in the boys.”

Holmes is set to make changes after Saturday’s hard-fought contest against the Terras. The Bridport clash had been scheduled to take place at St Mary’s Field but postponements in the past two weeks led to Wimborne becoming the home side.

Discussing what impact the switch could have on the tie, Holmes said: “For teams that have to travel and come to different places it does have an impact. We would have gone to Bridport and needed to get time off work and change our normal routine but now it is on them to come to us.

“We enjoy playing at home but there will be a couple of changes.

“We want to defend the cup but we are also desperate to stay in this league. We have to prioritise but the team we put out on Tuesday will be strong.

“Although we will make changes, some of the boys coming in have been on the bench in recent matches and deserve game time, so it is good for them. We will take out a couple of experienced players which will lighten us but that is what your squad is for.”