MATT Clarke insists he is not celebrating the club’s survival after Redditch United thrashed Hitchin Town 4-0 to secure their place in the division next season.
The Reds went into the final day knowing even a win might not be enough to preserve their Step Three status.
However, Cyrus Babaie struck twice while Ryan Boothe and Dexter Dudley-Toole both found the net in a dominant victory against already-relegated Hitchin at the Valley Stadium.
And Redditch’s relegation rivals Barwell suffered a heavy 7-1 home defeat against Spalding United which ensured the Reds would remain in the Southern League Premier Central.
United finished the campaign in 18th place, just three points and one place above the relegation zone.
And Clarke praised the club’s supporters for inspiring his side to a final day victory.
Clarke said: “It’s relief, we’re not celebrating staying up, there’s been a lot of pressure and a big cloud over us.
“I’ve taken a lot of criticism but I’m a fighter and I’ve thrived, I’ve got broad shoulders and thick skin and needed it.
“I welcome criticism at times and we probably deserved it, we came up with plan which we implemented and it bore its fruits.
“The boys were outstanding from the first minute, the biggest thing was the lift we got from the fans.
“The fans have had a real tough time and been critical of us, they were really behind us which we asked for and that really helped us.
“The attitude, the application and the desire from the players was outstanding.
“We’ve not been good enough as a group but staying up gives us a chance to reset, sit down with the chairman and see where we go from there.
“It was all about us staying in the league and we’ve achieved that.”
Redditch spurned a glorious chance to break the deadlock after just nine minutes when Ciaren Jones pulled Brad Burton down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
However, Hitchin goalkeeper Seb Stacey superbly kept out Boothe’s powerful effort from the penalty spot.
The Reds took the lead just two minutes later however as Babaie’s volley bounced over the line with the goal awarded by the referee despite furious Hitchin protests.
And Redditch doubled their lead on 16 minutes when Boothe pressed the Hitchin backline, won back possession and fired a shot across goal into the left corner.
The home side extended their lead on 33 minutes as Dudley-Toole curled a shot into the left corner of the goal via the aid of the post from inside the penalty area.
And Babaie completed the scoring five minutes after half time with a header back across goal after Hitchin initially cleared a shot off the line.
Confirmation of Barwell’s defeat at Spalding, coupled with Redditch’s victory, means Redditch will play at Step Three again next season.
