Newark & Sherwood manager Romaine Graham wants improved performances against Sleaford and Newark Town ahead of Notts Senior Cup final

Manager Romaine Graham has called on Newark & Sherwood to find some form before the Notts Senior Cup final.

The Highwaymen end the United Counties League Premier Division North campaign with two derbies over Easter.

They host Sleaford at Harrowby on Saturday before visiting local rivals Newark Town at the YMCA on Monday (both 3pm).

They’re big games for United as they build up to their cup final against Hucknall on May 6.

“I don’t like losing and I want us to get some form going into the final, so it’s a big derby weekend,” said Graham.

“Sleaford is close to Newark and that’s normally the derby for us.

“But because we’ve got Newark Town in the same league this season, that’s become the bigger derby.

“We went to Sleaford and beat them, which we’ve not done for a while and they’ll be wanting to take their revenge, although the team’s changed quite a bit and they’ve been struggling as well.

“They’ll have something to play for so we’ll have to be on it. We can’t afford not to be, to be honest.

“We finish with Newark Town and that’s one neither team will want to lose.

“It will be like a cup final and there’ll be a decent crowd for the last game. They play on 3G, which will suit us, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Newark & Sherwood side lost 3-0 at Hucknall in the league last weekend, dropping two places to 14th.

Graham, keen not to show his hand for the final, made five changes.

They conceded a penalty for handball in the opening minutes, a decision Graham described as “crazy”.

A second goal followed before the hour mark and the hosts completed the scoring in added time.

The match has helped Graham with his team selection for the final.

“We recovered from the penalty and pretty much controlled the first half, we’re just struggling to score at the moment,” he said.

“I got what I needed to get out of the game in terms of what I feel the opposition will do and how they will set up in the final and then I’ve also learned a few things about my selection as well.

“I think I’m almost there with the team I want to go with. There were some good performances.

“The first-half performance was as good as we’ve been in recent times. That middle part of the pitch we’re electric but at the minute, where it counts, we’re suffering a bit.

“We’re dominating possession and getting into really good areas, we’re just not having any conviction when we’re shooting and getting caught at the back because the pressure builds up.”

Forward Javanne Smith impressed in the absence of top scorer Kieran Cummings, who was among those rested.

Smith has given the manager something to think about and he could even change formation to get two strikers on the pitch for the final.

“Javanne is different to KC, he’s just a tireless worker, so he’ll create his own opportunities through his effort and endeavour,” he added.

“You could see that in the first half. He gives us that different outlook up there.

“KC’s very much an in-behind striker, more reliant on the team providing him service, where Javan harries defenders, works hard and is horrible to play against.

“It’s a consideration, playing two up, because I don’t think they’ll be able to live with two strikers. It’s trying to find that balance.”