Two wins in three days have seen Alport progress into the first round of the FA Vase and head the Premier Division table after six league games.

Next up for the Reds is a mouth-watering Shropshire Senior Cup final against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday, September 24 and if Luke Goddard’s men can reproduce some of the football played against Burscough on Monday at Yockings, they could well surprise Shrewsbury, particularly if they put out a scratch team.

A 4-1 win against Nuneaton Griff in the Vase gave Alport the confidence for the league game 48 hours later. And although Burscough made it through to half-time intact, a powerhouse performance from the Yockings men destroyed their opponents after the break.

Some of the plaudits being handed out in the Cadstones clubhouse post-match were high praise indeed, with most in agreement that it was some of the best football seen at Yockings – certainly under Goddard’s tenure.

The club has put on a free supporters bus over to the Montgomery Waters Meadow for the cup final, with around 150 fans expected to travel from the town.

For the games against Nuneaton Griff and Burscough, Goddard was hoping for back-to-back wins after the disappointment of last week’s result against Leek Town, and he certainly got it.

“I’m really satisfied with that weekend,” said Goddard. “We demanded a response following our FA Cup exit and needed two victories.

“The players have stepped up to the challenge and delivered as a squad with two comfortable wins.

“Monday night in the second half was the best I’ve seen from any side that I’ve put out in my 40 months at Yockings Park.”

Goddard has been a regular at the heart of the Reds defence this season, but sat out the two games to see if he could learn anything from the sidelines.

He lavished praise on his developing side who blew away a side that set out to frustrate in the hope of nicking a point from a scoreless draw.

“Our tempo, desire and quality with the ball was there for all to see especially in that second half where we’ve demolished a Burscough side that simply couldn’t live with us,” said Goddard.

“It’s the first time this season I’ve watched us play and been able to enjoy looking on from the sidelines.

“It certainly came close to being the kind of performance I know that we are capable of and these lads will run through brick walls for you.

“We’ve set the bar high for the squad to achieve some of our targets this season.”

More than 200 fans attended Monday night’s game and Goddard says he is convinced the fans would have liked what they saw.

“There were less than a handful of away supporters in the ground so to get more than 200 for a night game is brilliant,” the Alport boss added.

“All I ask of people is that they continue to spread the word on what we are trying to do up at Yockings. “

Alport’s chief chopped and changed his starting XI to keep things fresh and expects his team to stay strong during this busy period.

“We’ve utilised the squad this weekend which is playing a huge part in this early form and we are looking forward to some big tests in the weeks ahead,” said Goddard.

“We will plan properly for the cup final against Shrewsbury Town next Tuesday before two really tough games – Bootle on the Friday night and then 1874 Northwich on the Monday.

“On paper it’s going to be the toughest run of games up to now in a close period, but we have got more to give and we will embrace the opportunity that another cup final presents.

“This is a time to be proud together as a club, we have lots of good memories around the corner yet again”