Market Drayton Town’s hopes of finishing a tumultuous season on and off the pitch steadily, rebuilding their cohesion and confidence away from the spotlights, have been dashed by more sudden twists of fate.
Not so long ago, an unspectacular rundown to the campaign beckoned, scattered with games like tomorrow’s Unibond League South trip to Goole.
But suddenly Town find themselves back in high profile as Shropshire Challenge Cup finalists and potential championship kingmakers.
Their cup final, against Ellesmere Rangers at Shrewsbury Town’s Prostar Stadium on April 20, pits together two of the men who’ve managed them this season, Simon Line and Matt Burton.
And if that wasn’t enough of a challenging coincidence, they’ve also unexpectedly been handed a crucial role in the league championship race - booked to face four of the top five title contenders in just over a fortnight.
They play second placed Sheffield FC at Greenfields on March 20, visit Chasetown (fifth with three games in hand) three days later, entertain Glapwell (third with two games in hand) on the 27th before hosting leaders and favourites, Mickleover, on Monday, April 5.
It’s a mouthwatering feast of football for fans driven near to despair by Drayton’s mid-season troubles - but with their team back on form with a 6-0 win over Spalding on Saturday followed by Tuesday’s 2-0 Challenge Cup semi-final success against Shifnal, Town are buzzing again.
Manager Line was certainly in a mood to match yesterday’s sunshine. “I was very pleased with the way we played on both Saturday and Tuesday evening,” he said.
“Spalding are obviously struggling but we did a good job on them and got six goals to boost our spirits.
“That carried on into Tuesday when we had the confidence to bide our time against a Shifnal team who fought hard, got men behind the ball and defended in depth.”
Sean Humphreys and Nicky Porter scored as Town wore down their plucky opponents in the last half hour of the tie at Shrewsbury Sports Village.
Ellesmere booked their final place with a 1-0 win over Wellington Amateurs the following evening, setting up a test of managerial styles between Line and Burton, who led Town for a short while following Line’s departure to Hednesford.
Town’s six-goals spree was marked by the appearance together of wingers Stuart Ellis and Nicky Porter.
Their tricky runs blitzed the luckless visiting rearguard as Town kept the scoreboard ticking over with scores by Matty Evans , Tom Rogers, Porter, Paul McMullen, Martyn Davies and David Howarth .
Porter, Jason Francis and skipper Gary Anslow, who is suspended after being sent off at Belper a fortnight ago, all miss the long trip to Goole tomorrow but Jamie Haynes will be available to return.
Drayton have rearranged a home fixture with Loughborough for Saturday March 13.