STEVE HALLIWELL wants Gresford Athletic to go all out in their quest for Newfa Challenge Cup glory.

The Wrexham-based side head to Bala Town’s Maes Tegid this evening for a quarter-final clash with fellow Cymru North outfit Ruthin Town.

And having reached the final of the competition last season, where they were eventually beaten by top-flight Cefn Druids, Halliwell is looking to go one better this time around.

“It’s a target of ours,” said the director of football regarding the importance of the competition to Gresford. “Flint and Buckley are already in the semi-finals and hopefully we can join them.

“There is a chance for us to get to another final and we won’t be taking the tie with Ruthin lightly.

“We’ve got a free weekend coming up, so we can treat this like a league game as we look to get into the semi-finals.”

Attacker Jordan MacCarter, midfielder Harvey Ellis and defender Ashton Williams all picked up knocks in Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over Penrhyncoch - Gresford’s third straight league win - but the trio are expected to be fit enough to face Ruthin, who head into the contest on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Colwyn Bay.

Defender Les Brophy could make his first Ruthin start after signing from Denbigh.