Newark & Sherwood manager Romaine Graham on striker Liam Moran’s decision to rejoin Northern Premier East Carlton
Newark & Sherwood have suffered a new-year blow with the loss of striker Liam Moran.
Last season’s 21-goal top scorer only rejoined the Highwaymen on dual-registration in mid-December.
He marked his return by scoring the crucial third goal in a 3-2 win over Kimberley Miners Welfare.
And he struck again on Boxing Day, adding to Luke White’s free-kick, as the Highwaymen opened up a 2-0 lead against Newark Town, although the visitors hit back to draw.
Moran played for Carlton on Saturday as Newark & Sherwood didn’t have a game, making just his sixth league start for the Northern Premier East club.
His performance convinced them to get him back on board.
Highwaymen boss Romaine Graham, who is working on a replacement, said: “I think he’ll be back with Carlton starting from this weekend.
“It’s a bit of a blow, that. I did expect to have him maybe until February time but he played for Carlton on Saturday and did well, and they want him back.
“It’s unfortunate when you’re at the bottom of the food chain, there’s not too much you can do.
“Ultimately, it was his decision in the end.
“If he was strong in his mindset that he did want to stay with us then that would have been the case.
“But he’s got a desire to play for Carlton and they’ve said they want to give him a chance.
“He’s a good player, a good professional, so we’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.
“You never never know, he may even be back with us.”
Newark & Sherwood host AFC Mansfield at Harrowby this Saturday (3pm) in their first game of the new year.
They ended 2024 with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Newark Town in a United Counties League Premier Division North derby.
Graham’s men lost a two-goal lead but he was happy with a point against a Blues side who arrived in fourth place.
“It was a good game,” he said. “I think on the balance of play they were worth the draw.
“If anyone was going to win it, it probably should have been us.
“We were dominant in the first half and went in 1-0 up.
“Second half, we scored early but then Newark did what they’ve been doing all season and came back.
“They never know when they’re beat so I’ve got to give them credit.
“For 20 minutes we couldn’t live with them.
“They got the two goals back and then they tired and that’s when I think we should have gone on and got the three points but, to be fair, we looked a bit tired as well.
“They’ve got a great team spirit and the fans, in all honesty, they help to get them going as well.
“They’ve got something going at that club this season, that’s for sure.
“Sometimes it just happens and things are going for you.
“They’re on the crest of a wave at the minute so fair play to them.
“I was pleased with the point. I said to the lads after, we have to be realistic. They’re fourth, we’re ninth, the league doesn’t lie.
“We took a point off them, which has to be a good point.
“When I look at my players, ability-wise, it’s crazy.
“But we are where we are for a reason, so we’ve got to try and work that out before we can start thinking we should be higher.”
The game attracted an excellent crowd of 330, despite being played out of Newark at Harrowby, where the Highwaymen are groundsharing.
The return is due to take place on Easter Monday (April 21) - the final day of the regular season.
“It was a good day for Newark football,” said Graham.
“When we play them on the last game of the season, hopefully it’s going to be relevant again albeit with us already in the play-offs and maybe Newark trying to get in there.
“It was a very good turnout for where the game was, especially with the early kick-off.
“They came in their numbers and they had some great chants going off, all in good fun.”
Newark & Sherwood host Retford United in the Notts Senior Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).
