A 3-1 HOME defeat against Prestwich Heys on Saturday was hardly the best preparation for Luke Goddard and Carl Everall – the joint managerial duo at Whitchurch Alport  – to get their charges ready for a David v Goliath task next Tuesday night.

Market Drayton Town lie in wait, with the Evo Stik side firm favourites to progress into the TJ Vickers Shropshire County Cup Final. 

Drayton are holders of the trophy following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at Greenhous Meadow AFC Bridgnorth last May. 

Drayton also went down on home soil on Saturday and while Alport have the luxury of a free weekend in which to rest tiring limbs, Town have a league game at Lincoln United.

The only consolation for Messrs Goddard and Everall was another stunning attendance from the locals, who continue to flock to Yockings Park in their droves. 

A crowd of 273 was by some distance the best in the UK on Saturday at Step 6 and was the highest in the North West Counties two divisions, with promotion hopefuls Widnes (56) and Litherland REMYCA (53) among plenty of clubs casting envious glances towards their Shropshire rivals. 

The next highest gate in the First Division was 120 and that would have been swelled by a large travelling support from Liverpool at Carlisle.

Co-manager Goddard admitted his side didn’t deserve anything from the game on Saturday, but didn’t think Prestwich were that impressive either.

*For a full Alport round-up, see this week's Whitchurch Herald.