Newport Town have a prestigious final at Shrewsbury’s Prostar Stadium within their sights after reaching the last eight of the Williams & Picken Shropshire Junior Challenge Cup.
A hat-trick each for Nathan Holloway and Carlos Ratcliffe saw Town romp past lower league Much Wenlock Town in a 7-1 victory last weekend.
With some of the stronger teams in the competition already out, Town are beginning to believe that a league and cup double could be on the cards.
“It was a good win and a few teams at the top got knocked out as well, so we’re looking strong,” said boss Richard Priest.
“Many of the lads have played at the Prostar before with Newport Tavern, but it’d be a great experience for some of the younger lads.”
Holloway’s ninth and 10th goals of the season set Town on their way to a comfortable victory.
And it was 3-0 inside 15 minutes when leading marksman Carlos Ratcliffe skipped past a couple of Wenlock defenders and fired in from closerange.
Paul Quinn made it four at the interval with a clever finish before the visitors clawed one back.
That was a mere blip, though, as Holloway and Ratcliffe went on to complete their hat-tricks.
Town host struggling Meole Brace tomorrow - in a match that marks the beginning of a ‘crucial period.’
But Priest added: the squad weren’t taking the points for granted.
He said: “They’ve had a bit of an indifferent season so far, but everyone in this league is capable of competing and we have to make sure that we’re at it again.
“Then both we and (league leaders) Ketley Bank play third place Wroxeter Rovers in coming weeks, so it’s a vital period for us.
“In a few weeks time we could be top of the league - and that’s what we’ve got to aim for.”
Michael McCartney and Wayne Gaskell are both missing for Town this weekend, giving Priest a chance to rotate his squad.
