Newly promoted Newport Town face the biggest night of their short history on Tuesday – a cup final against Ellesmere Rangers Reserves at the Prostar Stadium.
Town sealed their inevitable elevation to the County Premier League with a 3-1 win at Whitchurch Alport Reserves last Saturday.
But there was little time to celebrate with Tuesday’s crunch Junior Challenge Cup clash at Shrewsbury Town’s 10,000 all-seater stadium looming large.
For Newport it is a chance to add some silverware to their new trophy cabinet – and keep alive dreams of a tremendous treble.
Boss Richard Priest said his team were looking forward to taking on the County Premier League big boys, who won the competition last year.
He said: “Now we have gained promotion we can focus solely on the cup final.
“If we manage to get a win then that would be a great achievement for us in our first season.
“It’s going to be a tough game and they will be favourites, no doubt about it.
“But if we play to our potential then I’m sure we can cause an upset.”
Newport will not be short on belief having already toppled Ellesmere in the Insight Ron Jones Memorial Cup last month.
They have also beaten higher league opposition Ludlow Town Reserves en route to the showpiece final.
And Newport have been further boosted by the return of Nathan Holloway and Lewis Ainsworth.
The pair, who have both been instrumental in Town’s success, shook off injuries to feature in their promotion-clinching win at Whitchurch last weekend.
In the end, two Carlos Ratcliffe goals and a Steve Handley penalty were enough to bag the three points - and keep Town right on track for title glory.
Ratcliffe put Town ahead after 30 minutes when the forward latched onto Jez Harman’s pass and finished well from six yards.
Town had to wait until 15 minutes into the second half before doubling their advantage, Ratcliffe firing home his 23rd of the campaign.
And Ratcliffe was involved again in Town’s third when the livewire was brought down in the box after good work by Callum Muir.
Defender Handley stepped up to smash home his 13th of the season with just eight minutes left.
Whitchurch bagged a late consolation, but it was not enough to dampen Newport’s wild celebrations.
Town enjoy the luxury of a free weekend before Tuesday night’s make-or-break tussle (7pm kick off).
By Sean Wozencroft
