Newark Town manager Luke Parsons puts focus on United Counties League game with Heanor after League Cup semi-final heartache

Newark Town missed out on a place in the League Cup final - but there’s no time to dwell on the disappointment.

The Blues lost 1-0 in their semi-final at Lincoln United on Tuesday night, edged out by an early second-half goal.

They will look to bounce in a huge home game against United Counties League Premier Division North play-off rivals Heanor this Saturday (3pm).

It’s fifth versus sixth at the YMCA with Newark, who occupy the final play-off spot, three points clear of Heanor.

The visitors ended Newark’s club-record 14-match unbeaten run last October, inflicting a 3-0 defeat, and will go above Luke Parsons’ side on goal difference should they win again.

“It’s a massive game, a six-pointer,” said Newark boss Parsons. “They’ll be looking to beat us and go into the play-offs, so it makes it a really tough game.

“We went there earlier in the season, when we were on our unbeaten run, the longest in the history of the club, and they did a number on us.

“They were superb that night, so we kind of owe ourselves a performance.”

Newark would love to replicate the fast start they produced in a 2-1 win at in-form Hucknall last weekend.

The Blues scored twice in the opening nine minutes, through Ritchie Ingram and Andrew Tsolakis, with the hosts replying late on.

Hucknall were on a high after beating Melton 6-1 in their previous game but Newark took the wind out of their sails.

“I can’t remember the last time we started fast but we came out the blocks and scored two within the first 10 minutes,” said Parsons.

“I’ve talked about that over the last couple of weeks, I’ve said I want fast starts.

“We said let’s not give them time to settle into the game, they’ll be full of confidence from their best win of the season, 6-1, let’s go out, attack them and see if we can get an early lead.

“We haven’t had a start like that all season but it makes the game easier when you get an early 2-0 head start and you try and manage the game from there.

“First half-hour, we were absolutely brilliant and dominated, and then we made sure we sat in shape for the last 15 minutes just to make sure we got in 2-0 up.

“We had a reset and kind of said the same thing as the first half, we’ll go after them for the first 15 or 20 minutes and then if it’s still 2-0, you’ve got to game-manage and be streetwise and see it out.”

Newark welcomed back top scorer Ryan Smith from injury, giving him the last 30 minutes off the bench after Ryan Rushen picked up a knock.

There was also a return for Harvey Grice towards the end.

It was Smith’s first appearance since February.

Parsons said: “We probably would have brought him on a little bit later but Rushy got a bit of a knock and then we managed to get Harvey a couple of minutes at the end as well. They came through fine.”

There was a blow, however, with forward Matteo Perkins likely to miss the final weeks of the season after coming off with an ankle injury.

Parsons added: “His ankle’s ballooned and badly bruised so I’d be very surprised if we see him again this season.

“It’s a shame because he’s looked really lively. He was getting in behind, every time he got the ball he was dragging one or two players to him.

“He’s had a good impact since he came in and I’m disappointed if it is season-ending.

“We’ve got Ryan Smith and Harvey back and then we lost Matteo but we’ve got a good squad and it opens the door for Josh Randall, who’s just back from the RAF.”