Sean Newton has grounds for optimism

Defender Sean Newton is relishing the chance to play at a Football League ground in AFC Telford United's Easter Monday clash with Gloucester City.

The Tigers are playing their home games at League Two side Cheltenham's Whaddon Road this season, having seen their old Meadow Park home destroyed by the 2007 floods.

They were ground-sharing with minnows Cirencester when the two clubs met last season but agreed a deal with Cheltenham over the summer.

And Telford left-back Newton believes the slightly grander setting could suit the Blue Square Bet North promotion-chasers in what is their final away game of the regular season.

"Going away from home in this league is tough because the pitches aren't normally the best," said England C international Newton.

"So to go away to Gloucester it should be a lot better and we'll hopefully be able to start passing like we were at the start of the season."

Meanwhile, boss Andy Sinton has revealed that he will treat Wednesday's Shropshire Senior Cup final as a squad game to give run-outs to fringe players.

The Bucks boss has arranged a number of friendlies during the course of the season against sides including Chasetown, Rushall Olympic and Rocester.

Those matches have given the opportunity for players to get much-needed playing time and Sinton will approach the county competition in the same way — saving his first team regulars for the impending play-offs.

"We haven't been too happy with the way the Shropshire Senior Cup has been organised but we will make the best of it," he added.

"I've had a number of squad games through the course of the season and I will use Wednesday's game like that.

"It could actually prove helpful for us."