Saturday’s United Counties League Premier Division North clash will, rather curiously, be the Greens first competitive clash with the Blues despite that close proximity geographically. There was of course, a rather tempestuous pre-season meeting between the two clubs in the summer which Saturday’s visitors won 4-0 with former manager Tom Ward also sent for an early bath inside fifteen minutes at the YMCA. It was a friendly bought about by an unprecedented turn of events that saw Newark promoted to step five despite defeat to Harrowby United in the play-off final last April – the Blues becoming the ‘lucky’ beneficiaries of the sad demise of United Counties League Premier Division South side Cogenhoe United.

That unexpected promotion – if such a thing can exist – thrust the Blues right into the thick of their very first step five campaign with neither much notice, nor time to properly prepare for the challenges ahead. With that said though, the Blues have adapted admirably to step five football and victory on Saturday at the expense of the Greens could see them move level with the coveted United Counties League Premier Division North play-offs. They’ll attempt to continue their push by bringing a side down to the MKM that is probably far more accustomed to playing this side of Leadenham Hill, not least in the form of the recently departed Joe Smith who is likely to make his debut in Blue after moving north from the Greens this week. As if his goal-scoring threat was not enough of a burden on the Greens defences, he’ll be supplying Ryan Rushen with the ammunition – a man who top-scored for the Greens during their record-breaking 2022/23 campaign. Joined at the top of the field by Sam Wright – made famous by his Greens hat-trick scored at the expense of Heanor Town back in 2022 – the Greens job won’t get any easier on the offensive when they’ll likely run into the experienced heads of Joe Braithwaite and the Blues player/coach Mitch Griffiths, both listing extensive spells with the Greens under the management of Tom Ward.

With that said, that should well be all the motivation needed for the current crop of Greens to knuckle down and dent their former teammates hopes. They’ll need to find more zip and zest than they found at Heanor Town last weekend though – a 2-0 defeat going someway to telling of the Greens lack of fluidity and attacking prowess in Derbyshire. A philosophical Matt Evans was wary at full time of just how challenging a situation the Greens have been dropped into in recent weeks and stressed for patience and support from those on the sidelines as the Greens face a tough transitional period.

Newark then would probably have not been on the new gaffers list of fixtures particularly with his squad now stretched a body further by the departure of Kyle Watkins last weekend. Able to name just three substitutes last weekend at Heanor – Evans will likely be much unchanged this weekend, though with some movement in the transfer market imminent, he’ll equally hope to have some new faces amongst the group come the weekend. The last time the Greens were here, they were surprise 1-0 victors over Melton Town – they’ll certainly be hoping to catch another fancied side off-guard today.

Admission to The MKM Ground (NG34 7ER) on Saturday afternoon is priced at £7 for adults and £4 for concessions, with under-sixteen’s free (alongside a paying adult). We also offer a military discount for those in the armed services, and this grants you entry at £5 upon production of a valid ID. Cash and card can be accepted at both our turnstiles and at the hot food counter which serves a variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Our matchday programme can be found on our website or social channels in the lead up to kick-off, but for those who prefer a printed memento, you can pick up a complimentary teamsheet at the turnstiles or in the bar. Saturday’s match referee is Wayne Mason, and he is assisted on the day by Lee Crawford and Ady Bramley. Kick-off at Eslaforde Park is scheduled for 3:00pm.

Words: Oliver Atkin