NOTTINGHAM FOREST are in town tonight to play a team made up of Newark’s finest footballing talents to celebrate 150 years of football in Newark. The fixture is also a tribute to Newark FC’s first official match, a 0-0 draw against Forest in 1869.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST are in town tonight.

A team made up of Newark’s finest footballing talents will host Forest to celebrate 150 years of football in Newark.

The fixture is also a tribute to Newark FC’s first official match, a 0-0 draw against Forest in 1869.

Newark’s squad is made up of players from Newark Town and Newark Flowserve, and goalkeeper Nathan Burrows, 24, who has represented both club’s this season, said he would do his best to keep out the team he supports.

“It’s a privilege to be asked to play and represent Newark in such a prestigious game,” said Burrows.

“Newark football is booming on a Saturday and to carry the Newark badge and represent our town is a huge privilege.

“The thing that really stands out for me is that it’s against Forest and there is so much history behind it.”

A large crowd is expected at the fixture, which will kick-off at 7.45pm at Flowserve’s Lowfields ground on May 1.

“There’s no shame in the fact that people in Newark want our teams to do well and there are people in Newark who love football,” said Burrows, who has also featured for Collingham FC this season.

“There will be some lads in the side who have not played in front of a bigger crowd before and it will be a nice occasion for them.”

Forest have confirmed an academy side will travel to Newark, boasting players from their under-18s, all the way up to their under-23s.

Burrows is a life-long fan of The City Ground side.

He said: “It will be nice to see potential players coming through the ranks at Forest.

“It’s always nice to play against your local club and a lot of the lads support forest, so it will be a great occasion.

“As a goalkeeper I want a clean sheet, so I think it will be a 1-0 win for us. We’ll nick it in the last minute.

Gary Clarke, chairman of Newark Flowserve, said the tie would be great opportunity for spectators to see a Newark team take on Forest, a club that is hugely supported in the area.

“It’s a great community project,” said Clarke. “We hope this inspires people to go out and watch more football.”

Damon Parkinson, of Newark Town and Craig Roche, of Flowserve, will dual-manage the Newark side.