Newark Town book Notts Senior Trophy final date with title rivals Retford United following 3-1 win over NSL side Ruddington Village

Newark Town’s Saturday first team has reached its first cup final in nearly ten years.

The step seven side, managed by former professional footballer Nathan Arnold, fought back from 1-0 down to beat Ruddington Village 3-1 in the Notts Senior Trophy semi-final on Saturday.

And the Blues’ weekend was made even more special when CMFL Premier North title rivals Thorne Colliery dropped points at Dearne & District, reducing the gap at the top to just one point — though Thorne won last night to extend that gap to four points having played one more game.

Arnold said: “We knew it would be a tough game despite Ruddington’s league status and current form.

“We started slowly and gradually got into it.

“We needed a kick up the butt and we got that when they scored because that really clicked us into gear.

“And then once we got going we were really comfortable.

“We were also playing in the earlier kick-off so we could monitor the score at Thorne.

“It was great for us that they dropped points — it was a great weekend all-round.”

Having fallen behind in the 18th minute, two quick-fire Lewis Chambers goals at the end of the half saw Town take a comfortable 2-1 lead into the break.

Chambers equalised in the 39th minute, finding the net after receiving the ball in the box before slotting it under the ‘keeper from close range.

Town’s captain got his second three minutes later, again finding space in the box to finish.

Five minutes into the second-half, attacker Mason Wilson-Rhiney extended the Blues’ advantage, finishing off a move which saw the Ruddington ‘keeper make a smart triple save, before Wilson-Rhiney converted the follow-up.

It is Town’s first final since 2013, when a 92nd-minute Martin Wilson header guided the Blues to victory over Southwell City, seeing them through to the final of the Floodlit Cup.

“It is a great achievement by the players and it is the reward they deserve for their efforts over the season,” said Arnold.

“Though, we have done nothing yet and you get nothing for second place, so we want to go to Basford and get the job done.”

In the final, Newark face a familiar foe in league rivals Retford United, who they have lost to on both occasions this season.

Arnold welcomed the challenge.

“It is a great advert for our league,” he said.

“We have played them twice and we have learnt a lot about ourselves from those games and we know they will bring the best out of us.

“It has the potential to be a great final because Retford are a problem we have not solved yet.

“I have watched the first game back multiple times and I thought we were the better team.

“I thought we dominated for large parts, and it was a case of one error leading to the deciding goal.

“In the cup game, we went down to ten men and we are still hurting by that defeat.

“In the league, if we win our game in hand we are still above Retford, which shows the levels we have been.

“I’m really looking forward to the match-up because both teams have strengthen since that last meeting.”

The final will be played on May 10 (7.45pm kick-off) at Greenwich Avenue, Basford.