Time for Newark & Sherwood United to show ‘ruthless’ streak - boss

Romaine Graham wants Newark & Sherwood United to show their ‘ruthless’ streak as they prepare for a quickfire double.

Despite picking up four points from their last two outings and stretching their unbeaten run to eight league contests, United were unable to ‘finish their dinner’ as they saw a 2-0 lead clawed back against Wisbech Town at the weekend.

And now manager Graham wants his squad to show their true potential as they face two sides in very different situations in the space of three days.

United will sign off from Collingham as they host fourth-bottom Kimberley Miners Welfare on Saturday (KO 3pm) before Monday’s arrival of promotion-chasing Lincoln United (KO 12.30pm).

“It was four points this week and it definitely could have been two more, but looking where we are I’m pleased we’re still unbeaten to be honest,” said Graham.

“It highlights we’re not quite there as the team we want to be, but we’ve got to learn how to be more ruthless in those crucial moments. But I said to the lads, we’re on a journey and we will get there.

“We should have won at the weekend we just didn’t finish our dinner.”

Before their trip to Heanor Town last night (Wednesday), Kimberley were winless in six United Counties League Premier Division North matches.

However, it’s been a different story for Lincoln, who sit second in the table, are in the semi-finals of the FA Vase and lifted the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy last week with a penalty-shootout success against Boston Town.

“This weekend is going to be a good gauge of where we’re at, especially the Lincoln game,” Graham said.

“We just need to get some bodies back as we were a bit depleted on Saturday. We should have more bodies this weekend.”

“I’ll pick a team for each game and a style of play, so we’ll approach each differently. But we’ve got to apply ourselves in terms of effort to both games.

"Now we can see how we play against teams who are where we aspire to be and the lads will be really up for it.

“But we do have to get past Kimberley, and they’ll be a tough test.”

Kieran Cummings and Liam Moran were on target as United left Ashby Ivanhoe with a 2-1 win last Wednesday, Sam Grouse netting a consolation for the hosts.

The same two players put Newark & Sherwood 2-0 up again at the weekend but Michael Frew and Andre Williams secured a point for the Fenmen, who saw Oliver Williams dismissed.

In-form Moran has now netted seven goals in his last eight league games for United.

And despite missing an opportunity to seal victory at the weekend, the attacker has impressed his manager.

“Liam’s got a great attitude on and off the pitch,” Graham added.

“He’s come in and really listened and took on what I’ve said to him. He can do the number nine role but also drop in at 10 as he’s got the battling qualities you need at this level.

“He could have won us the game - he had a chance which is his bread and butter - but he’s in the right place and has done fantastic for us.”