On Wednesday night we make the trip to Newark to take on a Town side in fine form, as we aim to knock them out of the competition at the same stage we did nine years ago. Newark currently sit second in the league table and head into the tie on the back of three straight wins in all competitions.

The Red Badgers, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their strong cup run this season, where they have already recorded more knockout victories than league wins. Saturday’s draw, however, felt like another two points dropped, leaving us with just nine from a possible twenty-four in the league.

Our record in the Notts Senior Cup has been a mixed one—reaching the semi-finals just two years ago, but falling at the first hurdle in three of the last four campaigns.

Previous meetings: The most recent clash saw Newark Town claim their first-ever victory over Eastwood, running out 2-0 winners on a damp evening under the lights at Coronation Park. The last time the sides met at the YMCA Newark & Sherwood Community Sports & Activity Village, however, it was Eastwood who came out on top. Despite twice being pulled back after an Aaron O’Connor brace, second-half goals from Craig Westcarr and a stoppage-time screamer from Finnley Commons secured the win.
The very first meeting between the two clubs came nine years ago at this same stage of the Notts Senior Cup, when strikes from Paddy Webb, Jack Smith, and Greg Conn sent the Red Badgers into the next round. Top goal scorers in this fixture are Aaron O’Connor (3) & Ryan Smith (2).

Player Watch: Across the pitch, Newark are packed with quality, particularly in attack. Leading the way is former Red Badger Louis Czerwak, who has already hit nine goals in just eleven appearances—bettered only by Jamie Sleigh and Lucas Dakin. One of those goals came less than two weeks ago against Eastwood, in Newark Town’s 2-0 victory at Coronation Park. Now 23, Czerwak spent nearly a decade with Notts County before moving to Chesterfield, later continuing his career in non-league with Carlton Town and Hucknall Town, as well as enjoying three separate spells at Coronation Park.

Another player worth keeping an eye on is winger Matteo Perkins. Standing at 6ft 2, the young wide man also found the net in that recent clash with Eastwood and has scored five times in just nine outings this season.

At the other end of the pitch, Town are anchored by the experienced Scott Loach. The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who has over 400 Football League appearances to his name—most notably with Ipswich Town and Watford—arrived in the summer and has already recorded three clean sheets.

Squad Update: Phil Watt is a doubt after being forced off at half time on Saturday. Harry Goddard and Neo Saunders are unlikely to feature with their parent club (Carlton Town) likely to want to keep them available for themselves in the later rounds of the competition. Alfie Flynn, Thomas Hodgkinson, Finnley Commons and Toby Woodward are also unlikely to be involved as they prepare for the First Round Qualifying of the FA Youth Cup on Thursday night. Sam Wilson is one appearance off making his century. With Willow also just one clean sheet off equaling the club all time clean sheet record set by Jack Walker (25). Jermain Hollis could make his 112th appearance moving him into second on the all time appearance list.

Wednesday 17th September 2025
Nottinghamshire Senior Cup First Round
Newark Town vs Eastwood CFC
8pm Kick Off
YMCA Newark & Sherwood Sports Community and Activity Village

#RedBadgers