Lightning may strike twice

Jan 24 2003 By David Triggs, Flintshire Chronicle Series

KEVIN Ratcliffe hopes his Shrewsbury Town charges will once again make the transition from third division strugglers to FA Cup heroes at Gay Meadow on Sunday.

Having already masterminded a third round shock against his former club Everton, Shrews boss Ratcliffe is preparing to lead his side into fourth round combat with Premiership aristocrats Chelsea.

And the 42-year-old from Deeside is upbeat ahead of the televised tie.

'We've raised our game once already this season for the Everton match - now we've got to try to do it again,' said ex-Chester City boss Ratcliffe, who grew up in Aston but now lives in nearby Ewloe. 'The bonus for me is that I've got a full-strength squad.

'We've watched Chelsea and seen plenty of them on television, so we know what we'll be up against.'

He added: 'Anyone who saw the way we played against Everton will tell you we deserved the win.'

The 2-1 victory over the Toffees earlier this month - secured in f ine FA Cup tradition thanks to a double from journeyman striker Nigel Jemson - was extra-special for Ratcliffe.

The former Welsh international centre-back spent 16 years at Goodison Park as a player, captaining the side during the mid-1980s

when they won two league championships, the FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup.

But while the majority of Ratcliffe's playing career was spent at the top level, he is learning the ropes as a manager in the lower reaches of the Leagues.

A four-year spell at Chester was followed in November, 1999 by a switch to Gay Meadow.

Ratcliffe has kept the Shropshire side in division three despite working on one of the tightest budgets in the league. And while he's frustrated at his team's current lowly standing in the table, he is glad of the extra revenue Sunday's tie will bring.

'It's vital for us,' said Ratcliffe. 'The money from this FA Cup run will come in very handy.'

* The Shrews were due to entertain Crewe Alex in the semi-f inal (northern zone) of the LDV Vans Trophy at Gay Meadow on Tuesday but the tie was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

* Flintshire fans can tune in to Sunday's Shrewsbury Town-Chelsea tie on BBC Wales at