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Formby 0 Millers 2. Tues 31st Aug 10

Formby v Millers match photo's to follow

It was far from a footballing classic in Merseyside on Tuesday evening but New Mills ground out a deserved victory which saw them record a fifth consecutive Vodkat Premier Division success.
Neither side really got out of first gear in the opening quarter of an hour as meaningful possession was virtually impossible as the bounce of the ball was very erratic on an uneven Altcar Road playing surface. The midfield was very congested as a result and the ball spent a lot of time either in the air or in touch.
However, The Millers quietly started to make inroads into the attacking third of the field and only a low save at the base of his post by Formby keeper James Roberts prevented Adam Morning from opening the scoring.
The visitors were not to be denied for long though as a touch of striking class from Steve Moore broke the stalemate in the twenty third minute. A long clearance from Dominic Ingram-Hughes was beautifully controlled by the forward and after turning the defender, his instant shot was across keeper Roberts in a flash and he was completely helpless as the ball found the net via the inside of the post.
The remainder of the first half was a stop start affair as referee Mr Durbin's whistle continuously punctuated proceedings along with some very interesting "offside" decisions from his young assistant on the far side.
To their credit, hard working Formby started the second half in a very spirited fashion but despite having the lion's share of possession, they never seriously threatened Dominic Ingram-Hughes's goal. This was mainly due to the commanding performances of centre halves Tony Barras and Dave Chadwick who never missed a header between them virtually all game and the pair of them would have been undoubtedly vying for the man of the match honours at the conclusion of the game.
The Millers were lacking their usual attacking potency but still had enough in the tank to wrap up the victory seven minutes from time. A poor dead-ball kick across his area from James Roberts was immediately seized upon by the alert Adam Morning who dispossessed the full back, easily cut inside the covering defender and coolly slotted the ball home from ten yards.
Whilst not hitting the scoring heights of previous games, it was nonetheless mission accomplished for The Millers who produced a very professional performance particularly defensively to secure another well-earned three points on the road.
Team - Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Mather, Chadwick, Barras, Pickford, Innes, Morning (Swarbrick), Grandison (Ford), Moore, Horrocks (Carey). Unused subs - Swirad, Butt

Millers 3 Chadderton 1. Sat 28th Aug 10. FA Cup Preliminary Round

Despite playing for an hour with ten men, New Mills progressed into the next round of The FA Cup sponsored by E-On after they produced a fantastic second half comeback to defeat Chadderton at Church Lane on Saturday.
The buoyant Millers, looking to maintain their perfect to the season, created the first meaningful goalscoring opportunity of the afternoon in the ninth minute when centre half Tony Barras's powerful low shot across goal was cleared off the line and away from danger. Almost immediately at the other end, Chadderton's John Rogers free header from a corner was well claimed by Dominic Ingram-Hughes in the home goal.
A feature of New Mills's season so far has been the passing football they have played and this was reinforced half way through the first half when a move which must have involved at least thirty consecutive passes eventually lead to Adam Mather crossing from the left and Steve Moore's shot was heading goalwards until it was hacked clear again off the line by a Chadderton defender.
The game's big talking point arrived on the half hour when a long punt forward caught out New Mills centre half Nick Swirad and Chadderton's main danger man James Curley was left with a clean route to goal. As Curley rounded Dominic Ingram-Hughes, the keeper although trying to make a genuine save, brought down Curley in the box and once referee Mr Meeson pointed to the penalty spot, it was inevitable under the current laws that a red card would follow as a clear goalscoring opportunity had been denied. With no substitute goalkeeper available on the bench due to injuries, it was left to full back Mike Bowler to don the green jersey and gloves and to face the resulting spot kick. Curley himself took the kick but skied the ball horribly over the bar and indeed the houses that back onto the ground.
Despite being down to ten men, the home side continued to press forward for the remainder of the first half and if it wasn't for Lee Swanson in the Chadderton goal, their attacking play would have been rewarded but Swanson produced a string of excellent blocks which ensured that the interval was reached with the game still level.
However, the deadlock was quickly broken though when three minutes after the resumption, Adam Edwards drove a low shot accurately past Mike Bowler and into the bottom corner of the net to give the visitors the lead.
In a similar way to the midweek game at Ramsbottom, conceding the first goal of the game didn't rock The Millers and they simply rolled up their sleeves and set to work in rescuing the Cup tie. Their hard work was rewarded in the fifty ninth minute when Luke Horrocks managed to evade some half hearted Chadderton tackles and broke free down the left wing. He played the ball into Steve Moore on the edge of the penalty area who then produced an exquisite first time shot which as soon as it left his foot was heading into Lee Swanson's top corner.
The equaliser stirred Chadderton and James Curley very nearly atoned for his earlier penalty miss but his shot hit the base of the post. Back came New Mills though and deservedly took the lead with twenty minutes of the game remaining when Adam Morning scored for the fourth consecutive game. Morning's long distance effort swerved dramatically in mid air and Swanson couldn't adjust his position in time and could only parry the ball into the roof of the net.
Chadderton had a glorious chance to equalise shortly after Morning's goal when Keith Melvin broke free of the defensive line but with only stand in keeper Bowler to beat, he screwed his shot badly wide of the target.
Despite being at a numerical disadvantage, The Millers showed no signs of tiring in the latter stages of the game and had two gilt edged opportunities to wrap the game up in the closing stages. Firstly substitute Carl Carey got his feet in a tangle and couldn't quite apply the decisive last touch to Adam Mather's inviting cross and then fellow replacement Josh Ford's shot was well saved by the excellent Swanson.
With Chadderton committing more players forward in a desperate last effort to try and force a replay, there were numerous gaps in their defence for The Millers to exploit and they counter attacked brilliantly in injury time to seal the game. Carl Carey cooly kept his head and when the last defender came to tackle him, he played a sensible square ball to skipper Carlos Meakin who after steadying himself, placed the ball past the advancing keeper to ensure his team's passage into the next round of The FA Cup.
The Millers will travel to either Congleton Town or Curzon Ashton, who replay on Tuesday evening, in The First Qualifying Round on Saturday 11th September.
Team - Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Mather, Swirad, Barras, Morning (Ellis), Meakin, Innes, Grandison, Moore (Ford), Horrocks (Carey). Unused substitute - Butt

Ramsbottom United 1 Millers 2. Tues 24th Aug 10

New Mills dug deep to maintain their 100% start to their Vodkat League campaign as they secured a hard fought and ultimately valuable three points at Ramsbottom on Tuesday evening.
The Harry Williams Riverside Stadium pitch passed a precautionary late afternoon inspection and it was the home side who adapted to the conditions better in the early stages of the game. In fact, former New Mills player and now Rammy captain Jon Robinson got one over his old team mates when he nodded the opening goal in the eighth minute. The home side broke well following a New Mills corner and there was always a man over as defensive cover struggled to get back in time and Robinson was the eventual beneficiary as he headed home Eddie O’Neill’s pinpoint cross from eight yards.
The Millers were hitting too many long balls towards the home side's towering centre halves but the game’s momentum changed once they started to bypass them by keeping the ball down and playing their customary crisp passing football.
Adam Morning was at the hub of the majority of the attacking moves and it was he who deservedly equalised for The Millers in the twenty sixth minute. Carlos Meakin played an incisive ball through to Morning and his low left footed shot from just inside the area nestled beautifully in Martin Campbell's bottom corner.
In the immediate minutes following the goal, the visitors were dominant. Keeper Campbell was not to know that Carlos Meakin was offside when he superbly blocked The Millers skipper's close range shot and then the grounded Campbell was thankful for a last ditch clearance from one of his back pedalling defenders who just prevented the battling Leon Grandison from nicking the ball home.
Meakin was not too be denied for long though as he gave New Mills the lead twelve minutes before the interval. Mike Bowler, who has another solid game, broke up an attack and quickly progressed forward into the space afforded to him. Bowler found Steve Moore who then accurately cut the ball across the face of the goal to the onrushing Meakin who in customary style found the back of the net.
Three minutes later and The Millers had a golden opportunity to further increase their lead when Leon Grandison attacked purposefully down the left wing and played a through ball to Steve Moore who escaped the home defence’s offside trap. Moore, left one on one with Martin Campbell, was looking to go around the keeper but he stood his ground well and didn’t commit himself and as Moore eventually tried to dink the ball over Campbell, the keeper reacted well to make an important block.
After a very open first half, both teams were a lot more solid after the half time interval. New Mills suffered a blow just short of the hour mark when following a full blooded tackle, Carlos Meakin was forced off with a shin wound which required three stitches after the game. His withdrawal took some impetus out of The Millers as an attacking force but the defence were coping admirably with anything that Ramsbottom could throw at them.
Only once did they seriously threaten Dominic Ingram’s Hughes and this came with virtually the last kick of the game as New Mills’s keeper superbly turned away Ian Flannery's effort at a crowded near post.
In what was an excellent advert for The Vodkat Premier Division, New Mills’s superior attacking play, particularly in the last twenty minutes of the opening half, was the main difference between the two sides on the evening. After winning their first three competitive games of the season, Rammy have dropped seven points in a week following two defeats and a draw and teams wishing to beat them must have good game plans in place to overcome their strong and physical style of play.
Team – Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Mather, Swirad, Chadwick, Morning (Ellis), Meakin (Barras), Innes, Grandison, Moore (Ford), Horrocks. Unused subs – Carey, Butt

Squires Gate 0 Millers 5. Sat 21st Aug 10

Video highlights of the game

New Mills's impressive start to the Vodkat League season continued with a comprehensive five goal victory at Squires Gate on Saturday.
Manager Ally Pickering gave FC United's centre half Dave Chadwick his debut in the absence of Tony Barras and he had to be on his toes in the opening minutes as the home side pushed forward but it didn't take long for The Millers to get into their attacking stride. Luke Horrocks tried to play a one-two with Steve Moore but with the latter in a retreating offside position, Horrocks burst through onto his own pass. His pace took him clear of Gate's defence and after drawing home keeper Neil Beesley, Horrocks looked up and played a square ball to Adam Morning who had the simple task of tapping the ball home into an empty net.
Morning was inches away from doubling the advantage sixty seconds later when he very nearly capped a superb move involving Danny Ellis and Carlos Meakin but his shot went narrowly wide.
Dominic Ingram-Hughes made his significant contribution on an otherwise trouble-free afternoon when he was agile enough to keep out David Woodruff's shot and his save proved even more meaningful when The Millers scored their second in the seventeenth minute. Danny Ellis dispossessed left back Paul McMenemy on the edge of the penalty area and the Squires Gate defender was possibly lucky to stay on the pitch as he felled the lively Ellis. Therefore there was a sense of justification when Carlos Meakin's slightly deflected free kick found the back of the net despite keeper Beesley getting a good hand to the ball.
The visitors were rampant at this point and the third goal arrived in the twenty fifth minute when razor sharp Steve Moore latched onto a long ball and after holding off a determined challenge from the already cautioned McMenemy, he placed the ball beautifully through the advancing keeper's legs.
Despite scoring three excellent goals already, the undoubted goal of the afternoon arrived five minutes before half time. Full back Mike Bowler intercepted a stray pass down the right and then produced a surging run. His cross was perfectly weighted across the six yard box to where Carlos Meakin arrived right on cue to expertly divert the ball into the corner of the net.
After such a fabulous performance in the first half, the second half was a lot quieter in comparison as New Mills were content to ensure that Squires Gate couldn't mount any sort of a comeback. This was typified by the centre half pairing of Dave Chadwick and Nick Swirad who didn't allow ex Miller Kenny Mayers a real sniff of goal all game.
However this didn't mean the visitors were happy to close the game out as they continued to press forward at every given opportunity. Adam Morning, who was a constant threat to Squires Gate all afternoon, couldn't have come any closer to scoring his second goal in the sixty fifth minute but his left footed daisy cutter hit the inside of the base of the post and rebounded away from danger.
It was left to substitute Josh Ford to wrap up the goalscoring fifteen minutes from time. Adam Morning's corner found Ford unmarked at the near post and he outjumped and outmuscled the much taller Neil Beesley in the Squires Gate goal to simply nod the ball home and this rounded off a truly excellent performance from The Millers.
Team - Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Mather, Swirad, Chadwick, Ellis (Carey), Meakin, Innes, Moore (Ford), Morning (Butt), Horrocks. Unused sub - Underwood (GK)

Friendly. Millers 2 FC United 7. Tues 17th Aug 10

Team – Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Collins, Ellis, Swirad, Lester, Meakin, Pickford, Grandison, Carey, Horrocks. Subs – Ford, Derrick, Halligan, Mather
New Mills Scorers – Meakin ( pen ) 44, Horrocks ( 65 )
FC United – Mike Norton 3 , Ben Deegan 2, James Holden 2

Millers v Alsager. Sat 14th Aug 10. FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

New Mills re-wrote the record books as they registered their biggest ever victory in a Football Association Cup competition as they clocked up double figures against fellow Vodkat Premier
Division League side Alsager Town at Church Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The Millers, who have made an impressive start to the season, had the ball in the net after only three minutes when Steve Moore converted Adam Morning's low centre but the assistant referee flagged for offside. However this only a brief respite for Alsager as three minutes later, Leon Grandison's through ball beat the visitors offside trap and the recipient Adam Morning advanced towards goal before coolly beating Mike Langley to give the home side the lead.
The advantage was doubled in the sixteenth minute when defender Nick Swirad got the final decisive touch to Adam Morning's corner and this time the assistant referee's flag was in favour of New Mills who ruled that the ball had crossed the line before being hacked clear by a Town defender. Sixty seconds later and it was Adam Morning again involved in the build up and Steve Moore neatly converted his first goal of the afternoon.
Three goals to the good in just over quarter of an hour and many people thought it was already game over but Alsager rallied determinedly and got themselves right back into the contest with two goals of their own in a five minute spell. There was an element of controversy with Jordan Everson's goal where referee Mr Lamb missed a blatant push by Everson on Mike Bowler but the Alsager midfielder took advantage of his good fortune by beating Dominic Ingram-Hughes at his near post. Liam Newman then capitalised on a long ball which Nick Swirad stretched to intercept but failed to do so and Newman rounded Ingram-Hughes before slotting the ball into the empty net from a narrow angle.
Alsager had their best spell of the game as they pushed for the equaliser and their pace up front continually caused the home side's defensive back line problems. However, The Millers quickly regained their composure and crucially scored a fourth just before half time when Steve Moore again coolly beat Mike Langley. There was still sufficient time at the end of the breathless opening half for Adam Mather to hit the inside of the upright with a fizzing left foot shot and Leon Grandison narrowly failed to convert the rebound with a spectacular overhead kick.
Skipper Carlos Meakin got his name onto the scoresheet five minutes after the interval after Alsager's defender Alex Burt was penalised for bringing Leon Grandison down in the area. Although Meakin's penalty was well saved by Mike Langley, the rebound fell nicely back to Meakin who made no mistake at the second attempt.
This goal seemed to break Alsager's resistance and for the remainder of the game, the home side attacked Mike Langley's goal almost at will. Steve Moore followed Frank Eaton and Lee Joyce to become only the third New Mills player to score a hat-trick in The FA Cup when he completed his afternoon's work by collecting Dominic Ingram-Hughes's long clearance and superbly slotting the ball past the onrushing Mike Langley.
Substitute Danny Ellis then marked his competitive debut in the most appropriate manner by scoring The Millers seventh goal. Leon Grandison broke free of Alsager's almost non-existent defence to lay the ball into Ellis's path who drove the ball perfectly across the keeper into the bottom corner.
Ellis was in the thick of the action as this time he turned provider for the eighth when his shot was parried by Mike Langley's legs but luck deserted the keeper again as for the second time in the game, Carlos Meakin was on hand to mop up the rebound. This goal ensured that the victory was to be the biggest FA Cup victory in the Club's history as they surpassed the 7-0 win over Old Xaverians in 1924/5.
Ellis made it nine with ten minutes of the game remaining when he was on hand to convert Adam Mather's square pass and the only thing remaining for the home side was to try and wrack up double figures. This they achieved in the last minute when Leon Grandison broke free down the left wing and perfectly set up substitute Josh Ford who put the seal on a magnificent performance from New Mills.
The Millers are rewarded with another home tie in the next round when they entertain Vodkat League Division One side Chadderton at Church Lane on Saturday 28th August.
Team - Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Innes (Collins), Swirad, Barras, Morning (Ellis), Meakin, Pickford, Grandison, Moore (Ford), Mather. Unused subs - Horrocks, Lester

Atherton LR 1 Millers 2. Tues 10th Aug 10

Atherton LR v Millers match photo's

New Mills made it two wins from their opening two Vodkat League Premier Division games as they gained a hard fought three points at Crilly Park on Tuesday evening.
The Millers played down the pronounced slope in the first half although with Evo Stik League side Leigh Genesis now tenants, the playing surface was vastly improved even if the grass was slightly too long.
However, those conditions didn’t prevent the visitors from starting the game pretty much where they left off on Saturday with neat, attractive passing football which meant they were continuously knocking at Atherton's door. Debutants Adam Morning and Steve Moore were at the hub of the attacking but it was the latter's strike partner Josh Ford who opened the scoring in the seventeenth minute. Adam Mather's cross was missed by an LR defender and after steadying himself, Ford perfectly capitalised on the time and space provided to him by shooting low past Martin Pearson.
Atherton were penned into their own half for much of the opening twenty five minutes but on their first real meaningful attack of the game, Brad Cooke's effort was only chalked off by the assistant referee's flag.
Martin Pearson, who conceded six in the corresponding fixture last season, kept his side in the game ten minutes before the interval with an impressive save. Mark Innes, revelling in his new midfield role, broke up play and played in Steve Moore. Moore cut inside two defenders and if there was a slight criticism, his resulting shot although well struck and goal bound, was a little too close to Pearson who nonetheless pulled off a decent block.
The talking point of whether a single goal advantage would be good enough at the interval was quickly tested as the home side took advantage of the conditions early on and New Mills keeper Dominic Ingram-Hughes had to be alert to turn around a low shot for a corner. In fact Ingram-Hughes was the busier keeper as Atherton's attackers kept peppering his goal with long distance efforts which he managed to keep out albeit sometimes a little uncomfortably.
However The Millers took control of the game midway through the second half when they crucially doubled their advantage. Atherton's Nial Callaghan was injured on the right hand touchline and when Adam Mather received the ball from Paul Collins, he had time and acres of space to measure his cross. That centre flicked off Steve Moore’s head and although he was officially credited with the goal, the last touch was a notable and decisive one from defender Simon Howard's heel.
That should have wrapped up the three points for The Millers but credit to LR who looked a far better team than last season, they never gave up and they grabbed a lifeline with eight minutes remaining when Brad Cooke took advantage of some slack New Mills defending to halve the deficit.
In fact if they had kept their heads a little more at the end, they may have taken a point from the game but referee Mr Johnson who had a poor game throughout, justifiably showed a straight red card to Jake Patton for kicking defender Nick Swirad even though Patton had been booked in the first half.
The official’s poor decision-making ensured a fraught and ill disciplined conclusion to the game as a number of late tackles brought a flurry of yellow cards but New Mills hung on to their lead and the final whistle meant that they had gained maximum points from their opening two games.
Team – Ingram-Hughes, Bowler ( Pickford ), Collins, Swirad, Barras, Morning ( Gordon ), Meakin, Innes, Moore, Ford ( Richards ), Mather. Unused sub – C Gardner

Millers 6 Ashton Athletic 0 Sat 7th August 10

New Mills started the Vodkat League season in emphatic style as they hit six of the best against Ashton Athletic at Church Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Ashton, who were only reprieved from relegation a matter of weeks before the season started following Nelson's sad demise, very nearly fell behind in only the third minute of the game as debutant Leon Grandison narrowly failed to latch onto a nicely weighted cross from the left flank.
Despite Anthony Roberts hitting the top of the crossbar for Ashton, the attacking football was being played virtually one way and it was no real surprise when The Millers took the lead in the twenty fourth minute. Good build up play down the left saw Luke Horrocks narrowly fail to convert Adam Mather's low cross but fellow wide man Carl Carey was on hand at the back post to drill the ball back across goal as he found the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
The home side had found it difficult to net during their pre season campaign but like London buses, the first goal quickly brought another and within five minutes of the opener, Luke Horrocks's neat through ball was converted by strike partner Leon Grandison who marked his debut in the most appropriate manner by rounding Ashton keeper Daniel Fradd and slotting the ball into an empty net.
Mark Innes joined The Millers at the start of last season and failed to score all season so it was a very pleasant surprise for everybody watching when he finally broke his duck twelve months later as he increased the lead two minutes before home time when he drilled home a low shot from twenty yards which was perfectly placed in the bottom corner.
Although the home side were completely in control of proceedings at this point, keeper Dominic Ingram-Hughes had to be alert to block Jack Brierley's effort on the stroke of half time.
New Mills continued to attack Ashton's goal at every given opportunity after the interval and more fluid build up play enabled them to score a fourth goal just after the hour. Carlos Meakin, Carl Carey and Leon Grandison were all involved in the move which eventually saw Luke Horrocks with time and space on the edge of the penalty area. Whilst Horrocks' shot was certainly on target, a wicked deflection off Gregg Ashcroft completely wrong footed Daniel Fradd and the ball ended up nestling in the corner once again.
Fradd was helpless on that occasion but the keeper was definitely culpable for the fifth goal in the sixty ninth minute when he allowed Adam Mather's long distance shot to squirm under him.
Fradd's counterpart Dominic Ingram-Hughes was a virtual spectator for the majority of the second half but he produced an outstanding save when he finger tipped Sean Pearson's shot onto the crossbar and Mike Bowler was on hand to complete the clearance by heading the loose ball away to relieve the danger.
The Millers put the icing on the cake by registering a sixth goal of a very productive afternoon nine minutes from time. It was a goal of simplicity but was a joy to see when Adam Mather's pinpoint left wing cross was bulleted home by skipper Carlos Meakin's head who became the sixth separate player to score as New Mills made the perfect start to their Vodkat League campaign.
Team - Ingram-Hughes,Bowler, Collins, Swirad, Barras, Carey, Meakin, Innes, Grandison (Richards), Horrocks (Ford), Mather (Gordon). Unused subs - C Gardner, Lester

Pre Season Friendly. Millers 0 Witton Albion 1. Sat 31st July 10.

A last minute penalty was sufficient for Witton Albion to secure victory over New Mills at Church Lane on Saturday.
In the fifth minute, Chris Smith, who scored a hat trick against The Millers for Flixton last season, was denied by an excellent reflex save by trialist goalkeeper Grant Shenton after Alex Burns had carved open the home defence.
New Mills have struggled for goals in their pre season friendlies but had an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock when another trialist Jamie Mack played in fellow attacker Luke Horrocks. Horrocks, clean through on goal, managed to get a shot on target but Albion keeper Matt Cooper was alert to the danger and blocked Horrocks shot.
Just after the hour mark, Chris Smith was again denied this time by Millers substitute Dominic Ingram-Hughes who minutes after coming on the pitch produced an outstanding save to keep out Smith's effort.
Smith was to get the last laugh though when for the second game in succession, referee Mr Clayton awarded a penalty against the home side when he adjudged that Jack McKay was brought down in the area. Smith immediately grabbed the ball and confidently struck home the winner.
Team - Shenton, Swirad, Collins, Pickford, Lester, Watson, Meakin, Carey, Mack, Horrocks, Mather. Subs - Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Innes, Coward, Ford, J Atkinson, S Pickering, Richards, Gordon, C Gardner

Pre Season Friendly. Millers 0 Buxton 2. Tues 27th July 10. High Peak Cup Semi Final

Millers v Buxton match photo's

Holders Buxton progressed into the final of The High Peak Cup after defeating New Mills at Church Lane on Tuesday evening.
Whilst the visitors forced a corner in the first minute of the game, it was The Millers who started the game much brighter with Adam Mather and Carlos Meakin the focal points of most of their neat, attacking football. Indeed it was Meakin who very nearly opened the scoring with a low shot in the fourth minute and was only denied by an excellent fingertip save from Buxton keeper Chris Backhouse.
The home side continued to press forward and had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the eleventh minute when again good interchanges in midfield saw Danny Ellis play a great through ball through the flat Buxton defensive back line to leave Carl Carey clean through on goal. Unfortunately Carey’s finish couldn’t match the build up play as he screwed his shot wide of the post.
Eventually The Bucks started to make an impression in the attacking third of the pitch with striker Mark Reed their main threat. Indeed it was Reed who opened the scoring just before the half hour mark when referee Mr Clayton penalised Mike Bowler for handball and awarded the visitors a penalty. Although Millers keeper Dominic Ingram Hughes guessed correctly and got a decent hand to Reed’s spot kick, the shot was just too powerful and the ball found the net via the inside of the post.
Reed’s constant movement and goalscoring menace was a permanent danger to The Millers in the second half and only a good defensive header from Tony Barras prevented Reed from doubling his tally. It was only a brief respite as from the resulting corner, Joe Wilcox headed across goal and Reed, the ultimate difference between the two sides on the night, was on hand to nod the ball home from close range.
Team – Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Collins, Pickford, Barras, Lester, Meakin, Ellis, Carey, Horrocks, Mather. Subs – Ford, Richards, J Atkinson, C Gardner, Kelly

Pre Season Friendly. Millers 0 Oldham Athletic 1. Sat 24th July 10

Millers v Oldham Athletic match photo's

There was a sense of de-ja vu at Church Lane on Saturday as for the second successive weekend, an entertaining pre season friendly saw New Mills slip to a single goal defeat, this time at the hands of Oldham Athletic’s development squad.
The Millers played some neat, attractive passing football most of the afternoon but particularly in the first half and on another day, home skipper Carlos Meakin could have helped himself to a hat trick. On three separate occasions, attacking moves down the left involving Adam Mather created realistic goal scoring opportunities for Meakin and on three separate occasions, his efforts narrowly flashed past the left hand upright.
However, probably the best chance of the first half fell to the visitors when Latics striker Jack Laird broke free of the home rearguard but the youngster was denied by a brave, agile save from Dominic Ingram-Hughes.
Tony Philliskirk’s side started the second half brightly and Laird’s strike partner Kyle Riley rapped the crossbar from at least twenty yards in the opening five minutes.
The Millers continued to play football very pleasing on the eye and just short of the hour, Luke Horrocks was the architect of a fine move when he dug out a cross from close to the touchline. The cross found the onrushing Danny Ellis who flung himself at the ball but his header was well saved by Oldham’s substitute goalkeeper Shaun Routledge.
With twenty minutes of the game remaining, the visitors scored the only goal of the afternoon when Jack Laird atoned for his earlier miss, by capitalising on a mistake from substitute Graham Atkinson and beating Dominic Ingram-Hughes with a close range shot possibly aided by a deflection.
Team - Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Innes, Lester, Barras, D Gardner, Meakin, Ellis, Ford. Horrocks, Mather. Subs - Carey, Atkinson, C Gardner, Pickford, Atkinson, Bane

Pre Season Friendly. Millers 2 Curzon Ashton 3. Sat 17th July 10

Millers v Curzon Ashton match photo's

The first game of the new season at Church Lane saw an entertaining affair between New Mills and Curzon Ashton, ultimately won by a single goal by the visitors.
On a day more suited to spring or autumn, the weather conditions played a part in a freak opening goal in the twenty fourth minute. New Mills keeper Dominic Ingram-Hughes's left footed clearance had plenty of distance on it but was very low. Curzon midfielder James Ogoo, stood in centre circle, met the ball with a thumping header and sent it back towards the goal. As the ball bounced on the edge of the penalty area, it gathered pace on the wet surface and the back-pedalling Ingram-Hughes couldn't prevent the header from finding the back of the net.
A more conventional header ninety seconds later saw the visitors double their advantage. Full back Micky Bowler was penalised for a foul and a free kick was awarded on the left wing. Skipper Dave Birch's delivery was perfect and found an unmarked Adam Jones who confidently nodded home from six yards.
The Millers, fielding a number of new signings and trialists, struggled to gain any momentum going forward and Lee Morris squandered the home side's best chance just before half time when Curzon keeper Dave Carnell blocked his effort with his legs.
Curzon further increased their lead twenty minutes into the second half when Luke Mack capitalised on a poor defensive pass and after drawing Ingram-Hughes, Mack cleverly flicked the ball over the advancing keeper.
After a number of substitutions, the home side finally found some fluency in the attacking third of the pitch and skipper Carlos Meakin reduced the arrears with a quarter of an hour of the game remaining. Curzon's defence sloppily gave the ball away and Meakin drove forward in trademark style and his fierce shot from just inside the area fizzed into the roof of the net.
With The Millers now starting to dominate proceedings, they set up an interesting finale to the match when substitute Kyle Richards scored a fine goal when his twenty yard effort was far too good for the Curzon substitute keeper and found the corner of the net.
Despite putting pressure on the Curzon goal in the latter stages, the home side couldn't score an equaliser and whilst defeat in a pre season game is not the end of the world, manager Ally Pickering will have found the game a very worthwhile exercise as he cast his eyes over his new look squad.
Team - Ingram-Hughes, Bowler, Toft, Lester, Barras, Atkinson, Meakin,Carey, Morris, D Gardner, Horrocks. Subs - Ellis, Ford, C Gardner, Gordon, Richards, Brosnan.