Newark & Sherwood United’s FA Cup run has whetted the appetite for more big days with the Highwaymen on a journey under manager Romaine Graham

Newark & Sherwood United are looking at the bigger picture following their FA Cup exit.

The Highwaymen were edged 1-0 at higher-league Grantham in the first qualifying round on Saturday, Sidney Pereira with the only goal in the 69th minute.

But they gave an excellent account of themselves and can look back with pride on their run in the competition.

It’s whetted the appetite for more big days, according to assistant boss Tristan Spencer, who looked after the team with manager Romaine Graham on holiday in Jamaica.

“It was always going to be a game that came down to one goal,” said Spencer.

“They got it but, looking back at the video, they were very fortunate, it came off the guy’s knee and hand but that’s football.

“We were playing higher-league competition but we had more than enough to win that game. Maybe we lacked a little bit of creativity in the second half to get the ball in the back of the net.

“With the team Romaine’s building, and the culture and the spirit we have, added to the talent, we know we can cause any team problems on our day.

“I’m disappointed we got knocked out but the boys gave it their best shot.

“It’s days like this the club wants, and Romaine and I want, for the players.

“We enjoyed the occasion, we enjoyed the notoriety of getting so far in the qualifying stages.

“Like the gaffer says, it’s a process. We’re in a journey at the moment.

“At times we feel like we’re ahead of the journey, at others we feel we’re exactly where we thought we’d be.

“But overall we’re very happy with the lads and happy with the support from the club and it feels like we’re all facing in the right direction.

“I think we can be competitive in the league but we’re not going to put the chariot before the horse.

“We believe in the players we’ve got but it’s all about the process.”

Kieran Cummings took his tally to 13 goals for the season with a hat-trick on Tuesday night as Newark & Sherwood won 5-2 against Wisbech on their return to United Counties Premier North action.

Kameron Campbell and Luke White were also on target for the home side.

This Saturday (3pm), they host Premier South strugglers Northampton Sileby Rangers in the League Cup preliminary round.

Boss Graham will be back in the dugout this weekend having kept in regular contact with Spencer while in the Caribbean.

The pair even spoke at half-time of the Grantham FA Cup game.

Spencer has enjoyed his stint looking after the team.

“It’s something I’ve done in the lower levels with the younger kids and it’s something I do enjoy,” he said. “But Romaine, being the gaffer, we have a very close working relationship.

“In the end, he makes the decisions but it’s a very talkative process.

“I definitely feel more than involved in everything that goes on. I’m here to support Ro and facilitate his ideas and his beliefs and we work well.”