The Notts Senior Cup Final between Newark & Sherwood and Hucknall will be played at League 1 Mansfield’s Field Mill stadium on May 6
Newark & Sherwood will be playing at a Football League venue in the Notts Senior Cup final.
The May 6 showpiece, against Hucknall, is to be held at League 1 Mansfield’s Field Mill stadium with a capacity of more than 9,000.
It’s great news for the Highwaymen, whose previous final appearance, two years ago, took place at Eastwood.
The chance to play at such a nice stadium adds to the occasion as Newark look to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.
“We’re really pleased,” said manager Romaine Graham.
“They (Notts FA) emailed last week and confirmed the venue.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I thought they were pushing for Notts County but Mansfield’s a decent ground so we’re looking forward to it. The players are buzzing.
“A few of them played the last time we reached the final, so I’m pleased they’ll get a chance to hopefully finish the season on a high. We’ve got at least five or six survivors.
“It’s a good occasion for the club and just adds a bit more to it, playing at a Football League ground, so I’m glad they’ve done it this year.”
The Highwaymen need to try and find some form before the final.
They lost 3-2 at home to Gresley in United Counties League Premier Division North last weekend and remain 12th.
Kameron Campbell gave them an early lead from the penalty spot but a swift equaliser followed and the Highwaymen found themselves 3-1 down before Kieran Cummings replied.
Graham believes confidence is an issue in the squad.
“It was really disappointing, one of the not-so-good days in management,” said the boss, who takes his side to leaders Eastwood this Saturday (3pm).
“It’s a strange one again because the lads were trying, it wasn’t through lack of effort, but confidence is rock-bottom at the minute.
“Gresley were a team we should be putting to bed, we’re just struggling to put something together, a bit of consistency in our play.
“The goals were sloppy. We looked more attacking but we looked open at the back and it’s finding that balance between the two.
“I think I might have underestimated how important confidence is.
“Certainly this season, I’m learning as we go along.
“There’s definitely a type of person and a type of character I think you need in a team but confidence is huge.
“As a player, I was always someone who could get past that and keep doing the right things, have faith in your ability and ultimately you’ll get back to some sort of form. But collectively, as a group, it’s been a bit of a struggle.
“I’ve had some big players leave, to be fair. My goalie Ross Woolley, my vice-captain, was the first, and then Jamie Williamson went to Basford, so they were big losses.
“But I trust this team to put a game together. I think we’ve done well in cup competitions.
“It probably suits us because we have got a talented bunch but there’s just something missing in terms of that consistency you need to win a league.
“You have to have a bit more about you and be a team.
“When I won the league as a player it was almost like a bit of a cult and that’s what I’m trying to encourage the lads to be like without me taking control of the dressing room, as I would if I was the captain.
“On a one-off occasion I fancy this time to catch fire but we’ve got work to do if we want to be serious about climbing the table.”
Graham says the pressure is off when Newark & Sherwood visit title-chasing Eastwood this weekend.
They can play with freedom and try to spring a shock against the league leaders.
“It’s the hardest task of the season, going away to Eastwood in form,” said Graham.
“But there’s no pressure on the boys now and that’s the approach we’ll have.
“Nobody’s expecting them to get anything so just go and enjoy it and play without pressure.
“I just want them to work hard and don’t give anything away.
“If they open us up, if they score from a good bit of play, it happens, let’s just cut down on the mistakes.
“It’s an extremely difficult task but I think the pressure might have weighed a bit too heavy this season and that’s another thing I’ve got to take on board.
“We were trying to get in the play-offs but having looked at everything, I think we’re probably about where we are. The league doesn’t tend to lie.
“Having seen people’s traits and what’s happened during the season, I do think we probably are a mid-table team at the minute.
“I still think we’ll finish better than we did last season, I just want to continue to build and hopefully be in good stead for when we cut the ribbon on the new ground.”
