Newark & Sherwood look for confidence-boosting win over Shirebrook in United Counties League Premier Division North ahead of Notts Senior Cup semi-final at Radford

Newark & Sherwood are looking for a confidence-building win to take into their Notts Senior Cup semi-final.

The Highwaymen host struggling Shirebrook in United Counties League Premier Division North this Saturday (3pm).

Then it’s on to the semi-final at Radford on Tuesday (7.45pm), with United aiming to reach a second final in three seasons, having won the trophy in 2023.

Romaine Graham’s side should be fresh after last weekend’s game at Ashby Ivanhoe was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, following an inspection Newark had no knowledge of.

“Shirebrook are difficult opposition but we’re looking to get three points to give us a bit more confidence going into Tuesday,” said manager Graham.

“It’s a big week coming up for us with these two games.

“We’re at a point where all that’s missing is a win. The performances are there and everyone’s fired up.

“Saturday’s going to be a big game for us. They’re second-bottom so I’d like to think we’ll have enough but I used to play for their gaffer and he’ll have them fired up.

“They did us on the opening game of the season. They sat back and we had to try and break them down. It might be similar on Saturday.”

Newark & Sherwood are aiming to make the most of their second chance in the Notts Senior Cup.

They lost 2-1 to Retford in the quarter-finals but their opponents were thrown out after fielding an ineligible player.

The same thing happened when the Highwaymen won the competition in 2023.

Graham has players missing, including skipper Jamie Goddard, but is hopeful of reaching the final.

“It’s a great opportunity to get to the final again,” said Graham. “I went to watch Radford on Saturday.

“They were decent enough but I’d like to think we’ll have enough.

“I’m not giving up hope of getting in the play-offs although the cup is probably taking priority now.

“It’s a lower priority at the start of the season but when you get to quarter-finals and semi-finals it becomes more important. I want to get to the final.

“We’re not sure on the venue yet - we played at Eastwood when we won it - but in previous years it’s been played at Notts County.

“It would be great to get through and play at a proper Football League ground.

“Who knows, maybe Forest will have wrapped up a Champions League spot and we can play at the City Ground.”