Newark Town manager Luke Parsons on playing old rivals Bourne Town in United Counties League Division 1 on Saturday
Newark Town are off to old rivals and FA Vase stars Bourne Town this weekend.
The two sides came up together from United Counties League Division 1 last season - Bourne winning the title while the Blues were promoted despite losing the play-off final.
They’ve been two of the success stories in Premier Division North as they fight for back-to-back promotions.
Bourne are second with Newark fourth going into a fascinating meeting on Saturday (3pm).
The hosts are also still in the FA Vase, flying the flag for the league after reaching the fifth round last weekend.
“Fair play to them,” said Newark boss Luke Parsons.
“They’re a good team, a good club, with a terrific fanbase as well.
“It’s a difficult trip, on paper probably our hardest game left this season.
“We’ve had really good games against Bourne the last two or three years down at their place. They get good crowds and it’s one we’re going to be up for.
“The last two years in Step 6 we’ve won our home game and they’ve won their home game.
“Both away games in the last two years we’ve lost 1-0 to a worldie strike, so hopefully we can get one in our favour.”
Parsons expects Bourne to be on a high from their Vase exploits.
Having enjoyed their own record-breaking run in the competition this season, reaching the third round, the Blues boss knows all about that.
But it’s also important to stay focused on the league.
“Cup matches will always be a distraction,” said Parsons.
“You try and say you take each game as it comes but when you’re in a big competition like the Vase, you’re counting down days because they are big games.
“It’s going to be a distraction but, ultimately, the top clubs do take each game as it comes and players should raise their game because if standards drop in the games leading up to it, you might find yourselves out of the team.”
Parsons took advantage of Newark’s weekend postponement by going on a scouting mission.
The Blues’ fixture at Ashby Ivanhoe was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
So Parsons hit the road to get clued up on some league rivals for the second half of the season.
It’s always a worthwhile exercise as far as the manager is concerned.
“I went to watch a game, a couple of teams in our league,” said Parsons.
“Whenever I go and watch a game I always do a bit of scouting report as well and try and get teamsheets and put names to numbers and write down the strengths and weaknesses of each team.
“Obviously when it’s a weakness you try and expose what their weak points are and then nullify the strengths.
“I find it quite handy to watch teams and get information. I always think it’s easy to say just focus on yourself, let them worry about us.
“I think knowing a bit about the opposition, their strengths and weaknesses, can only be a positive.
“I suppose each to their own, each manager will do things differently.
“Some like to know information on others and some don’t really care and only worry about themselves.
“I’m one who likes to make notes and use those those notes to strengthen my knowledge.”
Lucus Cotterill is set for an X-ray today (Thursday) on his problematic foot.
The striker suffered a broken metatarsal earlier this season and has been experiencing discomfort since making his comeback.