Newark Town assistant manager Neil Miller wants Blues to put full focus on United Counties League campaign after record-breaking FA Vase run

Proud assistant manager Neil Miller has called on Newark Town to build on their FA Vase exploits.

The Blues’ record-breaking run ended in the third round on Saturday when they lost 11-10 on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Daventry.

There was disappointment following the dramatic finale at a windswept YMCA.

But Newark, who had never been past the first round before this season, have plenty to play for.

They’re in the United Counties League Premier Division North play-off places in their first year as a Step 5 club and are genuine contenders for a top-five finish.

The Blues, who visit Harrowby on Saturday (3pm), need to use their history-making Vase run to fuel the league challenge.

Miller, boss Luke Parsons and player-coach Mitch Griffiths will be reminding the squad of their achievements this season.

“We’ve come such a long way in a short period of time,” said Miller.

“If we think about it, when this season launched we were supposed to be a Step 6 team and then we got moved up after Cogenhoe pulled out.

“We’ve gone into Step 5 and over those five months we’ve become used to winning and been good value for winning.

“So we’ve come away really disappointed on Saturday but it’s up to Mitch, Luke and myself to remind them how far we’ve come and how proud we are of them, and how proud the town of Newark are.

“None of them have let anyone down. They’ve all been accountable throughout the season, they’ve all kept their levels super-high.

“Of course, the dreams of getting yourself to Wembley are always great and it’s disappointing when that dream finishes.

“But the concentration goes on the league now and these boys are fully focused on the league.

“What they’ve achieved so far is absolutely phenomenal.

“We back them and the town back them for what they’re doing.

“We’ve got a really big Christmas period coming up and that’s got to be our focus.

“We can’t allow ourselves to feel a little bit sorry for ourselves because if we do that, the next four or five league games could become really tricky.”

Newark have worked hard to get themselves into the top five following their unexpected promotion.

They’ve impressed with their brand of attacking football and deservedly sit fourth.

“Did we think we’d be doing this well at the start of the season?” said Miller.

“It was really tricky because we knew we were stepping into a league that’s a little bit of an unknown.

“We knew a few of the players and we’ve worked really hard at getting to know what teams we’re coming up against in detail, so we can plan for those matches.

“We’re up there on merit, on honesty and hard work and determination, and the results don’t lie.

“It’s a big December coming up and after that early new year period, I think we’ll really get a gauge of how far we can go.”