Newport Town cruised to a Prostar final last weekend with a thumping 4-0 win over Bridgnorth based HQ Sports.
Goals from Nathan Hollaway, Carlos Ratcliffe, Calum Muir and Steve Handley secured a place in the final of the Williams & Picken Shropshire Junior Challenge Cup.
However Town boss Richard Priest is far from resting on his laurels, and after the comprehensive semi-final win said the club will have to be at their best to take the title.
Town face reigning champions Ellesmere Rangers Reserves in the showpiece final at Shrewsbury Town’s Prostar stadium on Tuesday, March 30.
Priest said: “We weren’t at are best but were still too strong for HQ Sports. We started slowly and wasted possession at times but still created some good chances.
“The result not the performance was what mattered most. The second half was much better and we controlled the game for long periods and were much the better side. Hopefully we can now go on and win the cup at the first time of asking but we know it will be a tough game.
The main positive Town will be taking from the game, played at Sundorne Sports Village in Shrewsbury, was the amount of chances created. Hollaway and Ratcliffe were both denied by some fine goalkeeping from the HQ stopper before Muir ran through the Bridgnorth defence unchallenged only to shot wide from 10 yards.
On 30 minutes the county league division one leaders took a deserved lead, Muir’s pass finding Hollaway in the box, who turned his marker before volleying home.
Ratcliffe and Christian Slade both went close to doubling Town’s advantage but saw their respective efforts hit the post.
The second half started badly for Priest’s side when top scorer Hollaway was forced off with an ankle injury which is likely to keep him out for three weeks.
But Ratcliffe eased the manager’s worries with his 21st goal of the season.
The forward finishing from close range after good build up play from Slade and Jez Harman.
It was soon 3-0. Paul Quinn picked out Slade who squared for Muir to slide the ball home into the empty net.
Handley added a fourth with just five minutes left from the penalty spot after Ratcliffe was fouled by the HQ keeper.
Town are in cup action once again this weekend as they travel to FC?Hodnet in the league cup quarter finals.
l Meanwhile the club hosts a race night on Saturday, March 13, at 7.30pm at Cosy Hall. All welcome.
