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Gresley 0 Millers 1. Tues 31st Jan 12. Derbyshire Senior Cup Quarter Final

Match report to follow

Millers 5 Quorn 3. Sat 21st Jan 12. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

An incident packed second half saw New Mills eventually secure the three Evo Stik NPL points against Quorn at Church Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The gale force wind, that had dried the playing surface out from the previous twenty four hour deluge, showed no signs of decreasing as kick off approached and continued to blow across the ground all afternoon making for very testing playing conditions. In fact, James Coates had to make a highly effective save in the opening thirty seconds of the game when a centre from the left flank caught the wind and the home keeper did extremely well to tip the ball onto the top of his crossbar.
The best chance of the opening half fell to the visitors from Leicestershire who are still looking for their first victory away from their Farley Way Stadium this season. Tristram Whitman's shot deflected very kindly into the path of Ashley Robinson but with only James Coates to beat, the midfielder screwed his shot badly wide of the target.
The Millers, who played against the elements in the first half, created as many chances in the first five minutes after the interval than in the previous forty five combined. Clive Brown's dipping shot was neatly tipped over by Matthew Nurse but from the resulting corner, New Mills took the lead when debutant striker Ben Deegan's knock down found Carlos Meakin whose skidding effort from twelve yards proved too powerful for the covering defenders on the line.
Quorn had posed very little threat up front until midway through the second half when they equalised. New Mills conceded a cheap free kick on the left flank and the subsequent delivery found Tristram Whitman unmarked in the penalty area and he proceeded to deftly head the ball into the corner of the net.
Football's famed pundits say that a team is most vulnerable immediately after scoring and that proved to be the case again. Within a minute of the equaliser, Ashley Stott appeared to be pushed to the ground in the penalty area by Quorn's player manager Lawrie Dudfield and whilst referee Mr Thompson waved away the penalty appeals, substitute Antony Field kept his head by playing in debutant Ben Deegan who slotted home from close range despite vociferous claims for offside.
When Stott neatly scored his first goal for seven games with just under a quarter of an hour remaining, it looked like New Mills had wrapped up the three points but a crazy spell of three goals in as many minutes ensued which saw the game's momentum shift one way and then the other.
Firstly Michael Bowler's back pass caught up in the wind and this allowed Kris Nurse to round the completely exposed James Coates to reduce the arrears. Within a matter of seconds, Nurse then proceeded to bring the scores level with a thunderous effort from an acute angle which took a slight deflection off Luke Horrocks before crashing into the roof of the net.
That passage of play was a carbon copy of the opening game of the season when New Mills lead, only for Quorn to score two late goals to force an unlikely draw. Thankfully lightning didn't strike twice as The Millers did not lose their composure and struck again quickly to ensure that they restored their advantage. Ben Deegan was tripped in the area and despite some clearly audible shouts from Quorn players in his run up, skipper Carlos Meakin kept his cool to send Matthew Nurse the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.
Kris Nurse very nearly brought the teams level again but on this occasion, his well struck half volley could only find the very grateful hands of James Coates and it was then left to Ashley Stott to bring the afternoon's events to an end with his second goal of the game deep into stoppage time. After a goalmouth scramble, Antony Field's free kick eventually found its way into the path of poacher Stott who could barely miss from three yards and scored the eighth goal of the half from which both teams emerged with credit for producing such an entertaining spectacle in such trying conditions.
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler, Nick Swirad (Antony Field), Mark Innes, Tony Barras, Dave Chadwick, Carlos Meakin, Clive Brown (Ashley Stott), Ben Deegan, Daniel Douglas-Pringle (Justin Pickering), Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Jordan Edridge, Luke Gale

Irlam 2 Millers 1. Tues 10th Jan 12. Manchester Premier Cup Quarter Final

New Mills disappointingly exited The Manchester FA Premier Cup at the quarter final stage following defeat at Irlam on Tuesday evening.
The Millers were fairly dominant against The North West Counties League side in the opening forty five minutes and but for two or three decent saves from Jamie Brewer would have lead by more than a single goal at the interval. That strike came in the thirty second minute courtesy of young striker Ross Needham who capped a lively first half performance with a confident finish into Brewer's
bottom corner.
As good as New Mills were in the first half, they sadly were completely the opposite after the break as they produced arguably their poorest forty five minutes of the season so far. Goalkeeper James Coates's first significant touch of the game was to pick the ball out of his net following Liam Duffy's equaliser from close range in the forty eighth minute.
Irlam, who were a workmanlike and efficient unit, wrestled the midfield advantage from The Millers and scored what proved to be the winner midway through the second half. New Mills sloppily gave possession away from a throw in around the halfway line and never recovered from that poor piece of play as Steven Mills was the ultimate beneficiary from a right wing cross.
Team - James Coates, Jordan Edridge (Luke Gale), Justin Pickering, Michael Bowler, Tony Barras, Antony Field, Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott, Ross Needham, Luke Horrocks. Unused sub - James Taylor

Stamford 1 Millers 1. Mon 2nd Jan 12. Evo Stik League

New Mills secured a very creditable point in Lincolnshire on Bank Holiday Monday.
A full match report is available on Stamford's website via the link below -
http://www.stamfordafc.net/news-story/stamford-1-1-new-mills
Team - James Coates, Jordan Edridge, Steven Pickford, Michael Bowler, Luke Gale, Mark Innes, Carlos Meakin, Kristian Cox (Justin Pickering), Antony Field, Ashley Stott, Luke Horrocks

Millers 0 Leek Town 2. Mon 26th Dec 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

An excellent goalkeeping performance from debutant Joe McCormick was a significant factor in Leek Town securing the three festive points on offer at Church Lane on Boxing Day.
The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when James McCarthy's long throw in was flicked on at the near post. Ben Nixon was first to react and nipped in front of his marker to steer the ball past James Coates from within the six yard box.
McCarthy was pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Leek as they looked to increase their early advantage but it was Carlos Meakin who very nearly drew the game level in the eighteenth minute. Left back Jamie Kay, who was making his bow for The Millers, and Luke Horrocks linked up well before the latter played in the home skipper who from twenty yards curled the ball fractionally past the upright with keeper Joe McCormick well beaten.
Just after the half hour, the home side produced by far the best move of the opening half when Kay and Horrocks this time involved Ashley Stott in their fluid passing movement. Luke Horrocks's resulting cross found Carlos Meakin and his first time shot certainly looked goalbound until it fortuitously hit Glyn Mellor who knew absolutely nothing about deflecting the effort for a corner.
Leek probably deserved their lead at the interval but as the second half progressed, New Mills turned the tables as they gradually started to get on top as they regularly attacked Leek's goal.
Joe McCormick, who joined the Staffordshire side from fellow NPL Division One South outfit Rainworth Miners Welfare just prior to Christmas, started to come to the fore as he grabbed Carlos Meakin's free kick at the second attempt as the striking pack were rushing in on goal hunting the loose ball.
In a spell of around eight minutes, McCormick then made at least four excellent saves to deny Ashley Stott, Carlos Meakin, Jordan Edridge and Stott again as The Millers threw the proverbial kitchen sink at his goal.
As time ticked by and with New Mills continuing to push hard for an equaliser their second half display possibly merited, Leek killed the game off with a highly effective counter attack. Tony Barras was missing from the defensive line after being substituted following a sickening clash of heads which saw the centre half require eight stitches in a deep gash and the visitors striker Tim Grice exploited the room afforded to him by collecting a long ball forward and coolly converting past the onrushing James Coates with five minutes of the game remaining.
That effectively sealed the contest for Leek and the home side's afternoon was topped off by the late dismissal of Syd Pickford who received a red card from referee Mr Bramall for his second cautionable offence.
Team - James Coates, Jordan Edridge, Jamie Kay (Justin Pickering), Michael Bowler, Tony Barras (Luke Gale), Steven Pickford, Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott (Kristian Cox), Antony Field, Luke Horrocks

Millers 2 Matlock Town 1. Tues 13th Dec 11. Derbyshire Senior Cup Third Round

A Christmas cracker of a game at Church Lane on Tuesday evening saw New Mills beat Matlock Town after extra time to progress into the quarter finals of The Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup.
Despite Leon Grandison’s speculative cross cum shot rattling the bar in the opening twenty seconds of the game, it was the higher ranked visitors who largely controlled the first forty five minutes. A combination of some lacklustre finishing and inspired goalkeeping from James Coates prevented Matlock from converting their lion’s share of the possession into something more meaningful.
They did however manage to break the deadlock with virtually the last kick of the half and even then they were very nearly thwarted by Coates. Tyeisse Nightingale’s cutback found Ian Holmes at the back post who was denied by a stunning point blank save by The Millers keeper but luck was against the home side as Nightingale was the first to react to the loose ball as he prodded home to register his fourth goal in the last three matches.
New Mills final started to apply some concerted pressure on the Matlock defence around the hour mark with Carlos Meakin at the forefront of their attacking. His free kick was well claimed by Jon Kennedy and then shortly after, his shot was deflected narrowly wide of Kennedy’s post with the keeper a mere bystander.
The introduction of substitute Antony Field with twenty five minutes of the game remaining decisively changed the momentum of the game in The Millers favour as he regularly tormented left back Will Kendall with his lively pace. Saying that though, Adam Yates came within a whisker of doubling Matlock’s advantage when he struck the inside of the post with a shot from outside the area.
The home side levelled proceedings with eleven minutes to go and was probably deserved on the basis of their second half performance on an energy sapping pitch against superior opposition. Antony Field collected the ball on the right hand flank and after using Carlos Meakin’s overlapping run as a clever decoy, the youngster cut inside before unleashing a fierce twenty yard shot which flashed past Jon Kennedy in an instant.
Another outstanding save from James Coates ensured that the game went into extra time as he denied Lee Whittington’s last gasp low drive which appeared to be heading into the bottom corner until the intervention of the goalkeeper.
Matlock, who didn’t pose the same attacking threat following the withdrawal of tall striker Danny Davidson, were immediately pushed onto the back foot in the first period of extra time as New Mills’s fitness appeared to give them the territorial edge. Substitute Kristian Cox’s pace caused Matlock’s defence countless problems in the additional period and Carlos Meakin was very unfortunate to see his fierce shot rebound to safety off the underside of the crossbar.
Another excellent save from the game’s stand-out performer James Coates helped start the move which saw New Mills score what proved to be the winning goal two minutes before the end of the first period of extra time. Coates splendidly kept out Kris Bowler’s shot with his legs and Carlos Meakin collected the rebound and immediately counter-attacked. Luke Horrocks was the ultimate recipient wide on the left and none of the home faithful will particularly care whether his resulting effort was a shot or a cross as it sailed over the helpless Jon Kennedy and into the top corner.
Matlock visibly tried in the second half as New Mills pushed forward looking for a third goal which would have effectively sealed the tie. Antony Field was denied by a superb last ditch defensive block and from the subsequent corner, Carlos Meakin’s volley was well saved by Jon Kennedy. Not even the late sending off of Leon Grandison who saw red for his second cautionable offence could prevent The Millers from moving into the last eight of the competition.
Team – James Coates, Jordan Edridge (Antony Field), David Fitzpatrick, Clive Brown, Anthony Barras (Luke Gale), Mark Innes, Carlos Meakin, Michael Bowler, Ashley Stott (Kristian Cox), Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs – Justin Pickering, Jamie Kay

Millers 4 Shepshed Dynamo 2. Sat 3rd Dec 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

A four goal burst in eleven second half minutes illuminated Church Lane and proved sufficient for New Mills to turn Shepshed Dynamo's lights out on Saturday.
On a bitterly cold High Peak afternoon, New Mills had a very presentable opportunity to open the scoring as early as the second minute but Luke Horrocks couldn't capitalise on a quick free kick as he disappointingly fired straight at Sam Andrew.
Shepshed's on loan keeper was again on hand to deny Leon Grandison shortly after but the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the early exchanges was when Shepshed's Ricky Muggleton's shot from distance rattled the top of the crossbar and rebounded to safety.
As the first half progressed, Sam Andrew continued to excel in Shepshed's goal particularly with a low save down to his left which prevented Carlos Meakin from breaking the deadlock.
His saves were rewarded on the stroke of half time when The Dynamo's took the lead. A cheap free kick was conceded by New Mills around the halfway line and despite Tony Barras's desperate attempt to clear the danger, the unmarked Muggleton was on hand to head the set piece home from eight yards.
That advantage was doubled eight minutes after the interval when Jerome O'Connor linked up well with Jacob Sturgess down the left and the former's low shot flashed past James Coates and ended up in the corner of the net.
New Mills were unfortunate to be trailing at that point but as has been the case recently, the home side really stepped up to the plate after falling two goals behind and scored three times themselves in a remarkable four minute spell to completely transform the game.
Firstly Luke Horrocks's cross was superbly met on the run by Carlos Meakin whose shot which clipped the underside of the crossbar before going in and The Millers were on level terms seconds later when Leon Grandison's low shot was just too good for Sam Andrew.
New Mills were on a high at this point and a hotly disputed penalty saw them take the lead in the sixty second minute. There was no doubt that keeper Andrew fouled Luke Horrocks but there was a question mark whether the infringement happened inside or outside the penalty area. After consultation with his assistant, referee Mr Pashley awarded a spot kick which Dave Fitzpatrick converted with ease to incredibly give The Millers the lead.
That advantage was increased even further in the seventy first minute when centre half Tony Barras headed home his first goal for the Club in his forty second appearance after connecting perfectly with Dave Fitzpatrick's inswinging corner kick.
The game turned a little feisty as it reached its conclusion with players on both sides throwing their handbags and dummies around and Mr Pashley had to be alert to prevent the game from boiling over. Thankfully that didn't happen and the game will be remembered in the rightful manner of providing two hours of fantastic entertainment and providing the home faithful with another roller-coaster afternoon as they witnessed a win at Church Lane for the first time since early September.
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler, David Fitzpatrick, Clive Brown, Tony Barras, Steven Pickford, Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott (Anthony Bingham), Leon Grandison ( Kristian Cox) , Luke Horrocks (Justin Pickering). Unused subs - Jordan Edridge, Antony Field

Loughborough Dynamo's 3 Millers 3. Sat 26th Nov 11. Evo Stik League

Goalscorers for New Mills -
Dave Fitzpatrick 11th minute
Luke Horrocks 15th minute
Carlos Meakin 39th minute
Ashley Stott missed 90th minute penalty for New Mills
Goalscorers for Loughborough -
Jamie Clarke 66th minute penalty
Sam McVicar 68th and 76th minute
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler, Dave Fitzpatrick, Danny Jackson ( Jordan Edridge ), Otis Gorman, Steve Pickford ( Kristian Cox ), Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott, Leon Grandison ( Antony Field ), Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Anthony Bingham, Justin Pickering

Millers 2 Hucknall Town 2. Mon 21st Nov 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

A second half comeback from New Mills ensured that they grabbed a deserved share of the spoils against play off contenders Hucknall Town at Church Lane on Monday evening.
Playing against a team that had lost just once in their previous six games, The Millers started the game very well with some neat crisp passing movements. In form striker Ashley Stott had an early opportunity to test James Lindley but the ball just wouldn't sit for him and his resulting effort was scuffed wide of the target.
Their early dominance should have been rewarded in the twelfth minute when Leon Grandison was unceremoniously barged over in the penalty area by Hucknall full back Craig Armstrong. Whilst referee Mr Denton may have had his sight of the incident obscured, his assistant had the perfect view but from no more than fifteen yards away, Mr Hussain incredibly decreed that no foul had taken place to leave the home faithful completely baffled.
As has been the case at Church Lane recently, New Mills were caught with a sucker punch and conceded the first goal as Hucknall scored with virtually their first effort in the twenty seventh minute. Curtis Shaw’s precise pass carved open the home defence and Callum Lloyd ran onto the through ball to coolly slot past the advancing James Coates.
Skipper Carlos Meakin very nearly drew The Millers level within five minutes but after rising majestically to meet Luke Horrocks's cross, his header unluckily grazed the outside of the upright. Horrocks himself then had an opportunity but after doing well to create his own space around the edge of the area, his shot was too near to James Lindley who pushed away the danger.
Those close calls became even more critical when Hucknall doubled their advantage six minutes from the interval. Luke Horrocks and Danny Jackson got themselves in a tangle close to the touchline and Anthony Gregory’s pass released striker Phil Massingham. Whilst those close to the incident suggested that there were decent claims for offside, play was allowed to continue and there was no doubting the quality of Massingham's twenty five yard strike which visibly dipped and moved in the air to give James Coates absolutely no chance as the ball rocketed into the top corner.
There was still time left in the half for Carlos Meakin to charge down a clearance from Town keeper James Lindley. The ricochet was unkind to the midfielder as it drove him too wide of the goal to shoot and his percentage ball across the face of six yard box was intercepted by a lunging Hucknall defender just in front of the quickly advancing Ashley Stott.
If there was a turning point in the game then it happened seven minutes into the second half when Grant Ryan cut inside Jordan Edridge and if his shot had gone in rather than cannoning back off the inside of the post, it would have been doubtful that New Mills would have recovered from a three goal deficit.
Within sixty seconds, The Millers had gone down to the other end of the pitch and halved the arrears when Carlos Meakin was the recipient of a ball over the static looking Hucknall defence who appealed vainly for offside. The home skipper kept his cool as he calmly rolled the ball under James Lindley to get his side right back into the game.
This goal gave New Mills a great deal of heart as they repeatedly attacked Hucknall’s goal and Leon Grandison should possibly have done better in the seventy second minute when his attempted lob over the goalkeeper went wide of the target.
Both teams exchanged good chances as the game neared its conclusion. Despite being pushed back by the constant wave of home attacks, Hucknall were proving lively on the counter attack and on one such occasion, Grant Ryan held off Danny Jackson before flashing his effort narrowly wide of the far post. Young New Mills substitute Antony Field then should have done better with a free header at the back post but he could only guide Luke Horrocks’s cross past the upright.
But with eight minutes to go, The Millers got themselves back on level terms and for the first time in a number of weeks, Lady Luck smiled down on them. Whilst Leon Grandison’s low shot from just inside the box seemed harmless enough, it evaded James Lindley who somehow allowed the ball to go straight through his legs and could only look back in horror as the ball trickled slowly into the back of his net.
This was no less than New Mills deserved and it would have been unjust if Callum Lloyd’s stoppage time header had robbed them of the point that their hard working performance had merited.
Team – James Coates, Jordan Edridge, Dave Fitzpatrick, Danny Jackson, Otis Gorman, Steve Pickford (Antony Field), Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott (Kristian Cox) , Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs – Kingsley Grandison, James Moss, Justin Pickering

Millers 2 Carlton Town 3. Sat 19th Nov 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

An injury time goal from Matthew Millns was enough to see Carlton Town triumph in The Battle of The Millers at Church Lane on Saturday.
New Mills have been dogged by conceding soft goals in recent home performances and they did exactly that again as early as the second minute. Centre back Luke Gale sloppily gave away possession in his own half and Ruben Wiggins-Thomas capitalised by driving forward and crossing for Ian Brown to sidefoot home from close range.
Both teams looked shaky defensively in the early exchanges and Carlton were slightly fortunate to retain their advantage around the quarter hour mark. New Mills were awarded a free kick twenty five yards from goal which Carlos Meakin drilled low around the wall. Keeper Danny Marshall made a hash of the save and allowed the ball to squirm from his grasp and he was relieved to see one of his defenders just beat Ashley Stott to the rebound and clear the impending danger.
Stott, Meakin and Dave Fitzpatrick who was looking for his third goal in consecutive weekends all had presentable opportunities to level the game before the interval but it was Carlton who doubled their lead with virtually the last kick of the half. New Mills again shot themselves in the foot by giving away
possession in a dangerous area and seconds later Clive Brown upended an attacker in the box and referee Mr Gratton had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Ruben Wiggins-Thomas to comfortably slot home the resulting penalty.
Clive Brown redeemed himself twelve minutes into the second half when he brought New Mills back into the game. Luke Horrocks was fouled right on the bye-line and Dave Fitzpatrick's excellent set piece delivery found the unmarked Brown who headed home at the back post.
Carlton's Ryan Goward hit the outside of the upright direct from a corner but the visitors had to be grateful to goalkeeper Danny Marshall for protecting their lead fifteen minutes from time. Antony Field and Leon Grandison linked up well around the edge of the area before the latter fired in a dipping shot which the stopper excellently finger-tipped over the crossbar.
However Marshall was left powerless to prevent Ashley Stott scoring an equaliser five minutes later. Again young Field was the architect of the move when his low cross found Stott free in the box and the striker decisively crashed home his thirteenth goal of the season.
A draw and a point apiece would have probably been the right result between two evenly matched sides who had produced a fairly entertaining spectacle but there was to be a cruel late sting in the tail for New Mills. Deep into stoppage time, they conceded a corner and whilst the set piece wasn't taken particularly quickly, the defence didn't seem to organise themselves properly and this meant
that Matthew Millns was left unmarked to power him a header which consigned the home side to their fourth consecutive Evo Stik League defeat at Church Lane.
Team - James Coates, Jordan Edridge, Dave Fitzpatrick, Luke Gale (Danny Jackson), Clive Brown, Antony Field (Kingsley Grandison), Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott, Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Kristian Cox, James Moss

Goole 0 Millers 4. Sat 12th Nov 11. Evo Stik League

New Mills fought off The Vikings as they produced another excellent away day performance to secure the three points in East Yorkshire on Saturday.
Goole's Simon Harrison struck a tame shot straight at James Coates in the opening minute of the game and The Millers keeper then failed to deal properly with a long punt from his counterpart Jevan Hodgson. Thankfully Vill Powell stumbled whilst initially challenging Coates and lost his balance at the crucial moment meaning that he couldn't capitalise on the gaping goal in front of him.
Within thirty seconds of that scare, New Mills took the lead after breaking quickly. Leon Grandison's scuffed shot cum cross fell invitingly into the path of who else but Carlos Meakin whose first effort was well blocked by Hodgson but the midfielder didn't miss for the second time and comfortably found the net with the follow up.
The Victoria Pleasure Ground's pitch was in desperate need of a good roll but the visitors were trying to keep the ball on the ground at every opportunity. They should have doubled their advantage in the twenty third minute when Antony Field's pinpoint cross took Goole's centre halves out of the game but Ashley Stott's diving header from within the six yard box beat the keeper and also the outside of the post.
When Mike Bowler limped off with a twisted knee, he was replaced by Luke Gale who was making his debut meaning that the average age of the back four was around twenty years old. They were given very little time to settle in though as they were immediately put under pressure by the home side and James Coates's reflexes had to be sharp as he made a fine double save.
Those saves became even more important when New Mills increased their lead just after the half hour. Carlos Meakin turned from goalscorer to goal provider on this occasion as he started the attack with an excellent challenge in the middle of the park. Antony Field then held up the ball well before releasing overlapping left back Dave Fitzpatrick who ran onto the pass before finding the bottom corner with a sweet left footed strike for his second goal on consecutive weekends.
As half time approached, Goole pressed forward and only a well timed block from Jordan Edridge denied Glyn Cotton and from the resulting corner, a downward header from eight yards could only find the grateful hands of James Coates.
The Vikings made two early substitutions in the second half but despite their considerable strength and physicality, they couldn't breakdown New Mills's defensive line which was being marshalled well by Otis Gorman. In fact Ashley Stott could have made the game safe in the fifty eighth minute when he saw Jevan Hodgson off his line but his effort lacked the necessary height to clear the back pedalling keeper.
Stott was not to be denied for long though as he made the game and the three points safe midway through the second half. Goole could only half clear a corner and after Luke Horrocks swept the ball out wide to Carlos Meakin, the midfielder cut inside the full back and shot at Hodgson. Only the keeper will be able to explain what happened next as he let the effort inexplicably slip from his
grasp and Stott was the grateful recipient as he mopped up the loose ball from no more than two yards out.
Goole's goalkeeper was turning in a real Jekyll and Hyde performance as he then produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny Antony Field's dipping thirty yard volley but then promptly fumbled a fairly innocuous effort from Luke Horrocks and was thankful to his post for saving him on that occasion.
There was still time for one last New Mills goal and this arrived deep in stoppage time and with more or less the last kick of the game. Whereas earlier in the half, Ashley Stott's chip didn't have sufficient height to beat the goalkeeper, Leon Grandison's certainly did as he beat Jevan Hodgson from twenty
five yards with a measured lob which put the icing on The Millers cake.
For the third time in four consecutive Saturday away matches, New Mills came away with the victory and could push themselves back into contention for a play off place at least if they could turn around their indifferent recent form and performances at Church Lane.
Team - James Coates, Jordan Edridge, David Fitzpatrick, Michael Bowler (Luke Gale), Otis Gorman, Mark Innes, Carlos Meakin, Antony Field (Kingsley Grandison), Ashley Stott (Justin Pickering), Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused substitute - Ross Needham

Millers 0 Ilkeston 3. Mon 7th Nov 11. Evo Stik League

Three first half goals were sufficient for Evo Stik NPL Division One South League leaders Ilkeston Town to secure victory over New Mills at Church Lane on Monday evening.
Despite their confidence being high after such an excellent team performance at Lincoln United last Saturday, The Millers were immediately pushed onto the back foot in the early proceedings and weren’t allowed to get into their stride by a strong and physical Ilkeston side. It came as no real surprise therefore when the visitors took the lead in the nineteenth minute when Daryll Thomas’s cutback from the bye-line was converted from close range by Gary Ricketts.
This opening goal seemed to spur on the home side and they eventually started to make some headway in the attacking third of the pitch. Captain Luke Horrocks stung the palms of Ben Gathercole with a long distance shot and then the on-loan Nottingham Forest keeper made an excellent save to deny Carlos Meakin’s stinging low effort.
The game’s outcome though was ultimately decided by the five minutes leading up to the half time interval. Gathercole started the sequence of events with a stunning save to deny Ashley Stott’s header with the keeper somehow clawing away the ball when it looked like it had already gone past him. The importance of the save became even more apparent when sixty seconds later, Gary Ricketts scored his second goal of the evening when he reacted quickest to a Joe McGuire knockdown from a corner to double Ilkeston’s advantage. The shell-shocked home side then proceeded to press the self-destruct button after being awarded a free kick on the halfway line. After sending up the big guns from the back, for some unexplained reason, they decided to take a quick free kick from where Luke Horrocks lost possession and within a matter of seconds, Daryll Thomas had run into the acres of space afforded to him by the lack of defensive cover to nick the ball around the quickly advancing James Coates and shoot into the unguarded net.
If there was any way back into the game, New Mills needed an early goal in the second half and for an uncharacteristic miss from Carlos Meakin, they could have grabbed a lifeline but after finding himself with time and space, the midfielder dragged his effort narrowly wide of the far upright.
That could have changed the complexion of the game but as the half progressed, it was clear that Ilkeston’s gameplan was to hold on to what they had and this they achieved through some uncompromising defending and clearing the ball into the proverbial Row Z on several occasions. The Millers did get a couple of further sights of the goal though but again Gathercole was alert enough to smother Ashley Stott’s shot with his legs and then on the sole occasion they managed to beat the keeper, Ryan Wilson was on hand to clear Carlos Meakin’s header off the line.
Any neutral looking at the scoreline may conclude that Ilkeston had won easily and whilst it would be churlish to deny them the victory, there is no doubt that the outstanding performance of Ben Gathercole was a significant factor in them maintaining their position at the summit of The Evo Stik Division One South.
Team – James Coates, Jordan Edridge, Otis Gorman, Michael Bowler, Danny Jackson (Antony Field), Clive Brown (Kristian Cox), Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott, Daniel Douglas-Pringle (Leon Grandison), Luke Horrocks. Unused subs – Luke Gale, Justin Pickering

Lincoln United 1 Millers 2. Sat 5th Nov 11. Evo Stik League

Arguably New Mills's best performance since the opening weeks of the season saw them deservedly take the three points from play off contenders Lincoln United at Ashby Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
Carlos Meakin made a welcome return to The Millers midfield after recovering from a knee injury which required surgery and he nearly made the perfect comeback in only the third minute. Dave Fitzpatrick was felled around thirty yards from goal and Meakin took a trademark free kick which unluckily cannoned back into play off the underside of the bar with home keeper Phil McGann a
helpless spectator.
The game was stopped shortly after following a sickening collision of heads between the two number fives, namely Stuart Reddington and Mike Bowler. Bowler was thankfully able to continue after treatment but the home defender was less fortunate and he had to be replaced after suffering a nasty looking cut to the side of his head.
New Mills continued to dominate the game and only keeper McGann denied Ashley Stott from breaking the deadlock and the visitors were made to rue that miss when Lincoln took the lead against the run of play just after the half hour. Not for the first time this season, Otis Gorman was penalised for a clumsy foul in the area, this time on George Zuerner, and referee Mr Guest pointed to the spot.
James Coates's first serious involvement in the game was to retrieve Scott Coupland's penalty from the back of his net.
Things could have gone from bad to worse for New Mills two minutes later when with time and space, striker Alex Troughton blazed his effort way over the crossbar. However, there was still time before the break for Phil McGann to deny Daniel Douglas-Pringle with an outstanding fingertip save, for Mr Guest to turn down a decent shout for a penalty when Ashley Stott went down in the area and Carlos Meakin to bullet a powerful header straight into the grateful arms of McGann.
Despite trailing, The Millers continued in a similar attacking vein in the early exchanges in the second half and they eventually drew level eleven minutes after the break when Ashley Stott fell under a flurry of legs in the area and was adjudicated to have been fouled by Mr Guest. Stott dusted himself down to send keeper McGann the wrong way from the resulting penalty to register his eleventh goal of the campaign.
New Mills pressed forward and scored a fitting winner which their overall display deserved with just under twenty minutes of the game remaining. The ball was played across the edge of the penalty area by various players into the path of Dave Fitzpatrick who drove his shot hard and low past McGann and into the bottom corner.
Carlos Meakin had the ball in the net again shortly after but was penalised for a foul on keeper McGann in the build up and this let-off enabled Lincoln to attack for virtually the first time in the half and The Millers survived a late scramble in their penalty area.
It would have been an unjust equaliser for the home side though ,who came into the game on an unbeaten run of six games, as New Mills deservedly secured the three points for only the second time in the last ten Evo Stik games . A sign of their dominance was that goalkeeper James Coates barely had a notable save to make all game but all the players contributed to a hugely satisfying performance.
Team - James Coates, Jordan Edridge, Dave Fitzpatrick, Otis Gorman, Mike Bowler, Clive Brown (Antony Field), Carlos Meakin, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott (Kristian Cox), Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Luke Gale, Danny Jackson

Sutton Coldfield Town 1 Millers 0. Sat 29th Oct 11. Evo Stik League

A single goal from Sutton Coldfield's Craig Marshall ensured New Mills slipped to a narrow defeat in Birmingham on Saturday.
The first half was a tight yet scrappy affair with neither side having any significant efforts on goal. The closest anybody came to scoring was when a shot from striker Marshall was well held by Millers keeper James Coates.
The second half began with the home side pressing and from a corner James Quiggin had a snap shot well blocked by Coates and the rebound fell to him but it was again well blocked.
The game's only goal arrived half way through the second half when Gerald Mulholland's corner was met by Marshall at the back post whose header gave James Coates no chance.
The goal finally stung New Mills into action and after Clive Brown had a goal disallowed for a very marginal offside decision, striker Ashley Stott should have rescued a point for The Millers which would have been a creditable reward for their overall hard work and endeavours. After making a well timed run across the goal, only Stott will be able to say how he missed the opportunity when any meaningful contact with the ball would have seen a goal result.
Team - James Coates, Jordan Edridge, James Moss (Antony Field), Otis Gorman, Michael Bowler, Clive Brown, David Fitzpatrick, Mark Innes, Ashley Stott (Kristian Cox ), Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Kingsley Grandison, Luke Gale.

Millers 0 Grantham Town 4. Mon 24th Oct 11. Evo Stik League

After two successive victories, New Mills came crashing back down to earth as they were comprehensively beaten by Grantham Town at Church Lane on Monday evening.
Grantham’s attackers proved a real handful for the home defence most of the evening but particularly in the first half when they had the benefit of a very strong, blustery wind. The visitors lively early play was rewarded when they took the lead just before the quarter hour when Grant Brindley and Rhys Lewis combined well with striker Paul Grimes who tucked his shot comfortably past Ben Proctor.
That lead was doubled in the twenty first minute when Grimes scored again, this time from distance when his low skidding effort from the corner of the penalty area beat the despairing dive of Proctor and entered the net after clipping the far post.
Things went from bad to worse for The Millers as they conceded a third goal inside the opening half hour of the game when a short corner routine was only half cleared by the home defenders to an unmarked Ben Saunders who was lurking with intent on the edge of the penalty area. His resulting effort wasn’t struck with any great venom but had enough to beat the luckless Ben Proctor who despite getting a decent hand on the ball, couldn’t prevent the shot from bouncing into the back of the net.
Rather than trying to get themselves back into the game, a clearly deflated New Mills were struggling to keep Grantham’s attackers at bay at the other end and only a decent save from Proctor prevented Martin Ball’s spectacular long range shot from increasing the lead just before the interval.
This was to be Proctor’s last involvement in the game as he was replaced by James Coates at the break but even a change of keeper couldn’t bring a change of luck for The Millers as the visitors scored again six minutes into the second half. Another incisive through ball carved open the back four again and Rhys Lewis was on hand to nick the ball past the onrushing Coates to kill the game off as a spectacle.
Even with the three points safely secured, Grantham didn’t ease up as Ben Saunders, Gio Carchedi and Paul Grimes went close to scoring again but the last meaningful goal-scoring opportunity went to The Millers and even then Leon Grandison’s effort brought a fine save from Rob Murray who was called into serious action for about the only time in the game.
Team – Ben Proctor (James Coates), Michael Bowler, Dave Fitzpatrick, Otis Gorman, Michael Jukes, Mark Innes, Antony Field, Clive Brown, Ashley Stott, Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs – Justin Pickering, James Moss, James Taylor, Kingsley Grandison

Market Drayton Town 1 Millers 4. Sat 22nd Oct 11. Evo Stik League

Buoyed by the fillip of the midweek victory over Glossop North End, New Mills recorded an excellent Evo Stik League success at Market Drayton Town on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Jukes made his debut at centre half for The depleted Millers, who could only name three substitutes due to a whole host of players being unavailable through injury and suspension. It was they who had the benefit of a stiff wind in the first half and Dave Fitzpatrick, playing in a more advanced position than his debut appearance last week, stung the palms of Daimon Stevens in the seventh minute.
Whilst Market Drayton had the ball in the net on the quarter hour, Martin Davies's effort was ruled out for offside and shortly after it was the visitors who took the lead.
Antony Field's cross from the right travelled at least ten yards before striking home defender Andy Hartlebury on the arm inside the area and the assistant referee had no hesitation in putting his flag across his chest to signify a penalty. After a short delay whilst Market Drayton argued the decision, Ashley Stott kept his composure to send Stevens the wrong way from the spot kick.
As the half progressed, James Coates wasn't tested by Shaun Humphreys and Martin Davies who shot over from promising positions but The Millers keeper crucially kept the one goal lead intact with a stunning reflex save to deny Jamie Haynes with the last kick of the opening forty five minutes.
The importance of that save was further strengthened by New Mills's dominant start to the second half as they scored three goals in the opening dozen minutes. Dave Fitzpatrick, who had just seen a brave diving header blocked by Daimon Stevens, played an inch perfect cross field ball into the path of Antony Field who collected the ball in his stride and coolly placed the ball into the bottom corner.
The youngster then turned to goal-provider as he was involved in the next goal three minutes later when he linked up well with Leon Grandison whose strike partner Ashley Stott was the ultimate beneficiary as he again kept his composure to place the ball past the onrushing keeper.
Only Mark Stallard's header off the goal-line denied Antony Field a quick double but three minutes later, the rampant visitors scored a fourth goal. Field again was involved heavily in the build up and his through ball was seized upon by Leon Grandison who drew the keeper and beat him with ease to score his fourth goal in successive weekends.
That three goal burst killed the game as a spectacle as it ensured that the points would be heading back to The High Peak but Market Drayton scored a late consolation when substitute Callam Wright took advantage of New Mills's defence switching off for the one and only time to head a free kick past James Coates.
Whilst it was disappointing to concede that goal, nothing to deflect from the all round team performance which saw New Mills deservedly secure the victory which hopefully will provide the momentum for the next few weeks.
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler, James Moss (Justin Pickering), Otis Gorman, Michael Jukes, Clive Brown, Antony Field (Kingsley Grandison), Mark Innes, Ashley Stott, Leon Grandison, Dave Fitzpatrick. Unused sub - Ben Proctor

Glossop NE 2 Millers 3. Weds 19th Oct 11. Manchester Premier Cup First Round

New Mills secured their first victory in ten games as they overcame Glossop North End in a typically hard fought High Peak derby at Surrey Street on Wednesday evening.
On a bitterly cold evening, Kristian Cox should have warmed the travelling fans up with a goal after only four minutes when Antony Field’s corner was superbly headed goalwards at the near post by Ashley Stott. Goalkeeper Ashley Frith did very well to parry the effort but the rebound fell to Cox who with the goal at his mercy from four yards, somehow contrived to miss his kick and with that the chance was lost.
Glossop arguably came even close to breaking the deadlock on the quarter hour when Tom Streets shot beat James Coates but his effort unluckily cannoned back into play off the inside of the post to Danny Jones who in reacting quickly could only balloon the rebound into the neighbouring KFC.
It was the home side though who took the lead four minutes before the interval. Midfielder Alex Elliott picked up a stray pass around the half way line and after running at pace, proceeded to unleash a wonder strike from some distance which fizzed and swerved past the completely helpless James Coates.
Unfortunate to be behind at that point, The Millers hit back almost immediately to bring the teams level at half time. Antony Field, whose pace had constantly troubled Callum Jones, once again beat the Glossop full back before delivering a terrific ball across the six yard box which Ashley Stott struck first time into the roof of the net.
Both teams used their full compliment of substitutions in the second half to help give some younger members of their squads some valuable game time and experience and as the game progressed, the reality of penalties deciding the game grew larger.
With twelve minutes of the game remaining though, New Mills took the lead when a defensive header was seized upon by the lively Ashley Stott and the striker who was The Millers outstanding performer on the evening, outpaced the two home centre halves before coolly slotting the ball into the corner of Ashley Frith’s goal.
However the lead was an extremely short-lived one as Glossop equalised within ninety seconds. James Coates made an impressive fingertip save to deny a Glossop header but when the resulting corner was swung in, Mark Innes was adjudged to have handled the ball at the near post and referee Mr Hayes had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot from where substitute Jay Gorton brought the two teams level again.
There was to be a late twist in the game and thankfully for the first time in several weeks, the bounce of the ball went The Millers way. Substitute Jordan Edridge’s deep cross found Luke Horrocks at the back post who climbed well to win the header. Although the effort lacked significant pace, it somehow managed to evade defenders and attackers alike and slowly bounced into the back of the net to give New Mills their first win since the opening weekend of September.
Team – James Coates, Michael Bowler, James Moss, Otis Gorman, Tony Barras (Jordan Edridge), Mark Innes, Antony Field (Justin Pickering), Chris Young, Ashley Stott, Kristian Cox (Ross Needham), Luke Horrocks. Unused subs – Kingsley Grandison, Ben Proctor (GK)

Millers 2 Romulus 5. Sat 15th Oct 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

Romulus inflicted New Mills's first home League defeat since April 2010 as The Millers disappointing recent run of form continued at Church Lane on Saturday.
On a glorious autumnal High Peak afternoon, the two teams exchanged goals in the opening twelve minutes of the game. The visitors from Birmingham opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Marvin Johnson's cross was diverted into his own net by centre half Clive Brown but New Mills were back on level terms within five minutes when Leon Grandison linked well with strike partner Daniel Douglas-Pringle. Grandison who is slowly recapturing his match sharpness after a six month lay off through injury was too strong and powerful for Romulus's defence and he neatly tucked the ball past Chris Jay.
It was Grandison again who very nearly bagged another shortly after when a short corner routine saw the ball eventually fall to the unmarked striker but from around the penalty spot, this time his effort was blocked by the legs of Jay.
Despite the introduction of new left back Dave Fitzpatrick who made a creditable debut after joining from Northwich Victoria last week, The Millers back line were all over the place and looked like conceding a goal every time Romulus attacked. Only Nathan Walker will know how he missed a near open goal when with time and space, he shot horribly wide of the target and then the visitors went even closer to retaking the lead when Ashley Jackson's effort ricocheted back into play off the inside of James Coates's post before the rebound was ballooned high over the crossbar.
It was only a temporary respite for New Mills though as Romulus regained their advantage six minutes before the interval when Marvin Johnson cut inside right back Michael Bowler and beat James Coates with ease from an acute angle. Things could have gone from bad to worse for the home side right on half time but Johnson was this time denied by an excellent last ditch tackle from Otis Gorman to ensure The Millers turned round only one goal behind.
Sadly the second half display from the home side will not live long in the memories of the Church Lane faithful as Romulus attacked the defensive line at their own freewill. Twelve minutes after the restart, Marvin Johnson capitalised on a poor piece of defending from Clive Brown, who was marking his man on the wrong side, before firing the ball through the exposed James Coates's legs
Just after the hour, New Mills came desperately close to reducing the deficit but Dave Fitzpatrick's curling free kick unluckily cannoned back off the crossbar with goalkeeper Jay well beaten. With The Millers committing more and more players to attacking, they were looking increasingly vulnerable on the counter attack whenever they lost possession. One such move saw Luke Horrocks dispossessed on the edge of his own box and two passes later, James Coates denied Johnson his hat-trick with a fine low save.
Johnson wasn't to be denied for long though and scored his third goal in the seventy seventh minute when Ashley Jackson found the striker and with the defenders nowhere to be seen, he had the freedom of the town to slot the ball past Coates.
Brief hope returned for New Mills when Phil Male brought down substitute Ashley Stott in the area and Stott dusted himself down to comfortably convert the resulting penalty with ten minutes of the game remaining. That brief flicker of hope was soon extinguished though as Johnson wrapped up the scoring five minutes later. Romulus substitute Marcus Brown escaped the offside trap by starting the attack from his own half and after running forty yards, he unselfishly squared the ball to Johnson who scored his fourth goal to wrap up a thoroughly miserable afternoon for The Millers and consigned them to a ninth match without victory.
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler (Kristian Cox), Dave Fitzpatrick, Otis Gorman, Clive Brown (Tony Barras), Mark Innes, Antony Field (Ashley Stott), Chris Young, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Kingsley Grandison

Millers 2 Radcliffe Borough 3. Sat 8th Oct 11. FA Trophy Preliminary Round

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

The phrase " a game of two halves " is a well used footballing cliche but perfectly describes Saturday's game at Church Lane which saw New Mills disappointingly exit The FA Trophy at the first hurdle.
The home side who were looking for their first victory since the opening week of September, made the perfect start when striker Leon Grandison capitalised on a mistake by former Manchester United goalkeeper Nick Culkin to give them the lead in only the second minute of the game.
The Millers were showing glimpses of their early season attacking form which had seen them top The Evo Stik League for the opening weeks of the campaign but it was Radcliffe who levelled proceedings in the twenty fifth minute. Centre half Clive Brown fouled Ben Wharton in the area and referee Mr Bartlett had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick which Dave Sherlock converted with ease.
New Mills deservedly regained their advantage before the interval when Kristian Cox scored his first competitive goal for the Club and if it wasn’t for the same player rattling the crossbar and the referee being the only person in Church Lane not to see a blatant handball by a Borough defender, that lead would have been far greater.
It will be one of life’s mysteries what was said in the home team dressing room at half time as The Millers were barely recognisable from the team that had played so well in the first half. With the ball not sticking with the attackers, the defence were working overtime to maintain the slender advantage and their cause wasn’t aided by the dismissal of Luke Horrocks who was shown a straight red card for hauling back Tom Brooks who was clear through on goal.
This incident came back to haunt New Mills in the latter stages of the game as Radcliffe persistently attacked James Coates’s goal and it came as no real surprise when the visitors grabbed two goals in the final fifteen minutes of the game through Shaun Connor and Ben Wharton which ultimately saw them claim victory and secure a home tie in the next round against Harrogate Railway Athletic.
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler (Kingsley Grandison), Mark Innes, Otis Gorman, Clive Brown, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Kristian Cox, Chris Young, Ashley Stott (Tony Barras), Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Antony Field, Ben Proctor (GK)

Hucknall Town 1 Millers 0. Weds 5th Oct 11. Evo Stik League

Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Mark Innes, Clive Brown, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Carlos Meakin, Chris Young, Kristian Cox, Leon Grandison (Ashley Stott), Luke Horrocks. Unused substitutes - James Coates, Kingsley Grandison, Jordan Edridge, Justin Pickering

Shepshed Dynamo 2 Millers 2. Sat 1st Oct 11. Evo Stik League

(report by Tom Jellis)
A dramatic late equaliser from Daniel Douglas-Pringle grabbed a third successive Evo Stik League draw for New Mills on Saturday afternoon.
Despite their lowly league position, Shepshed had lost only once at The Dovecote so far this season and their lively start to the game nearly produced the opening goal but Millers keeper Ben Proctor did well to block an early shot from Steve Chaplin.
It was Chaplin though who broke the deadlock in the twenty second minute when following a run down the left from Ryan North, the ball fell to the striker who fired into the corner of the net from just inside the area.
Leon Grandison, making a very welcome return to The Millers starting line up following a serious knee injury picked up at Colne in March, grabbed an equaliser with eleven minutes of the first half remaining. His pace and power saw him outmuscle Iain Screaton before stabbing the ball past
the onrushing Ayden Duffy.
That wasn't to be the last goal of the half though as Dynamo retook the lead right on the stroke of the whistle when Jay'lee Hodgson, a full international who has played for Montserrat in World Cup qualifying games, produced an outrageous lob over Ben Proctor from well over thirty yards
Immediately after the break, the home side again had the ball in the net but Ricky Law's effort was ruled out by the assistant referee's flag.
Despite efforts from the returning Mark Innes, Luke Horrocks and Kristian Cox, The Millers were often guilty of overplaying in the pursuit of a second equaliser and as the game drifted into injury time, it looked like they were slipping to defeat.
However a very dramatic end to the game saw Daniel Douglas-Pringle capitalise on home keeper Ayden Duffy's failure to clear a corner kick to bag a point for New Mills and there was even time left in the game for Shepshed's Jay'Lee Hodgson to receive a second yellow card from the referee.
Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Justin Pickering (Daniel Douglas-Pringle), Otis Gorman, Clive Brown, Mark Innes, Antony Field (Ashley Stott), Chris Young, Dean Crowe (Kristian Cox), Leon Grandison, Luke Horrocks. Unused substitutes - James Coates, Kingsley Grandison

Millers 3 Salford City 4. Tues 26th Sept 11. Doodson Sport Cup

Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman (James Moss), Kristian Cox, Clive Brown, Antony Field, Carlos Meakin, Chris Young, Daniel Douglas-Pringle (Leon Grandison), Ashley Stott (Justin Pickering), Luke Horrocks. Unused substitutes - Ben Proctor, Jordan Edridge

Millers 1 Loughborough Dynamo 1. Sat 24th Sept 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Danny Jackson, Clive Brown, Chris Curley (Carlos Meakin), Carl Carey, Chris Young, Ashley Stott (Daniel Douglas-Pringle), Dean Crowe (Antony Field), Luke Horrocks. Unused substitutes - James Coates, Justin Pickering

Deeping Rangers 5 Millers 1. Sat 17th Sept 11. FA Cup First Qualifying Round

New Mills's long trip to Peterborough was a fruitless one as they exited The FA Cup after producing a very disappointing display against Deeping Rangers on Saturday.
Still without a number of key individuals through injury and suspension respectively, it was important that The Millers tightened up defensively after gifting the opposition some soft goals in recent weeks but that theory lasted all of eighty five seconds. Goalkeeper Ben Proctor half saved a Josh Moreman effort and despite looking suspiciously offside, Mark Jones was on hand to mop up the looping ball from close range.
As New Mills looked to get back on level terms, home keeper James Doughty produced about his only save of the afternoon in the fourth minute. Antony Field's cross was neatly controlled by Dean Crowe and he laid the ball into the path of strike partner Ashley Stott whose effort was blocked by Doughty.
Doughty was beaten in the seventeenth minute when Clive Brown firmly met Antony Field's corner but the centre half's header was hacked off the goal-line by Rangers captain Adam Weston.
In a tight opening half, goalscoring opportunities were at a premium and when one did finally arrive, Ben Proctor made an excellent reflex save to deny Mark Jones his second of the afternoon.
The opening exchanges of the second half were equally as tight and whilst The Millers probed away in the midfield areas, they simply didn't look like getting back on level terms.
Things got worse for the visitors in the sixty fifth minute when the home side were awarded a penalty. Ben Proctor challenged Josh Moreman in the area and whilst there were no appeals as the home player half stumbled under the keeper's efforts to win the ball, referee Mr Kinnear, some forty yards plus behind play, awarded a spot kick. What made the decision more baffling was that the official
did not even speak to the New Mills keeper who was the last line of defence and under the laws of the game had technically denied a goalscoring opportunity. Anyway Tony Battersby stepped up to send Proctor the wrong way from twelve yards.
The game was effectively over as a contest when Deeping scored two goals courtesy of Josh Moreman in a three minute spell as they capitalised on acres of space being granted to them by The Millers seemingly non-existent back line.
Even when New Mills finally got on the scoresheet with six minutes remaining when Spencer Tinkler put substitute Justin Pickering's cross through his own goal, there was still sufficient time for Kevin Gilbert to put the seal on a thoroughly miserable afternoon for New Mills.
At least it wasn't a long way home .....
Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Danny Jackson, Clive Brown (James Moss), Chris Curley, Antony Field (Carl Carey), Chris Young, Ashley Stott, Dean Crowe, Luke Horrocks (Justin Pickering). Unused substitute - Ross Needham

Millers 2 Market Drayton Town 2. Tues 13th Sept 11. Evo Stik League

A second half equaliser from Ashley Stott secured a hard earned point for New Mills against Market Drayton Town on Tuesday evening.
The treatment room continues to be the busiest part of Church Lane at the present moment and the injury curse struck new goalkeeper James Coates who failed a late fitness test after picking up a shoulder injury at Romulus on Saturday. His replacement Ben Procter was left exposed by his back line in the twenty first minute but Nicky Porter lacked composure and fired a shot high and wide into the adjoining houses.
After a lacklustre start, New Mills slowly started to gain some attacking momentum and their best move of the game very nearly saw Ashley Stott open the scoring. After creating his own space just inside the penalty area, the striker's shot aided by a slight deflection looked all the way a goal until Andy Spooner made a splendid reflex save.
The deadlock was finally broken on the half hour and the home side were the architects of their own downfall. A harmless looking free kick taken from around the halfway line wasn't dealt with properly and as keeper Ben Proctor was caught in no man's land, the final touch appeared to come from skipper Chris Young before the ball bounced slowly over the goal-line.
It was important for The Millers to restore parity quickly and this they did within ninety seconds of Market Drayton taking the lead. Luke Horrocks's cross eventually fell into the path of Antony Field and the youngster applied a lovely finish from twelve yards with the outside of his right foot.
The visitors regained the lead five minutes before the interval and again the goal resulted from defensive frailties. Jamie Haynes ultimately produced an excellent chip over an advanced Ben Proctor but there was a failed opportunity to clear the impending danger in the build up to the goal.
Ashley Stott maintained his record of scoring in every home game since he joined New Mills in mid August when he levelled proceedings again in the sixty seventh minute. Moments after goalkeeper Andy Spooner very vocally lambasted his defence for not talking enough, another lack of communication saw Stott escape his marker and clinically find the back of the net.
That goal saw The Millers build up a head of attacking steam for practically the first time in the match and midfielder Chris Curley twice narrowly sent shots past the far post, the second of which came perilously close to creeping just inside the upright.
As the game reached it's conclusion, it was visibly clear that New Mills's fitness was superior to the Shropshire side's but despite a frantic last few minutes which saw a corner kicked off the line, The Millers paid the price for not locking the defensive door in the first half.
Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Danny Jackson, Clive Brown, Chris Curley, Antony Field (Carl Carey), Chris Young, Ashley Stott, Dean Crowe, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Kingsley Grandison, Jordan Edridge, James Moss

Romulus 2 Millers 1. Sat 10th Sept 11. Evo Stik League

A depleted New Mills slipped to their first competitive defeat of the season as they lost by a single goal at Coles Lane on Saturday.
Missing Carlos Meakin, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Dean Crowe, Tony Barras and Nik Kudiersky for a variety of reasons, The Millers fielded Luke Horrocks up front and the makeshift striker looked lively in the opening exchanges on a game played on the recently laid 3G artificial pitch.
The “home“ side who share the Coles Lane ground with Sutton Coldfield Town were looking for only their second victory of the NPL season and Jon Powis tested James Coates who comfortably dealt with his effort.
The windy conditions, which had blown down a floodlight pylon at the ground earlier in the week, combined with the exaggerated bounce of the pitch saw the ball spend more time in the air and out of play as both teams struggled to gain a significant grip on the game.
The real (and possibly only) significant goalscoring effort of the opening half fell to New Mills ten minutes before the interval. Chris Young struck a lovely ball from at least twenty five yards but Chris Jay in the home goal was equal to the task as he tipped the ball over the crossbar. A yard either side of the keeper and it would have been interesting to see whether he would have been able to deal with it.
The half time talk amongst the supporters was that the first goal would be crucial in such a tight affair and it probably came as a surprise to most onlookers that it came so soon upon the resumption of play. Three minutes after the break, Romulus midfielder Gavin Day drove the ball from outside the area and it arced past James Coates's despairing drive and nestled in the bottom corner.
Coates's opposite number Gavin Day then single handedly kept The Millers at bay as the visitors quickly looked to restore parity. In a period of around ten minutes, he made four excellent saves to deny Antony Field, Ashley Stott and Carl Carey twice, the first of which was his best as Carey's header back across the goal was met by the fingertips of the outstretched Day who pushed the ball away for a corner.
The one time Day looked vulnerable was when his centre half Luke Paskin came to his rescue as he hooked a dangerous centre off the toes of the onrushing New Mills attackers and away for a corner.
Day's saves became even more important when the home side doubled their advantage with sixteen minutes of the game remaining. Jon Powis's hopeful cross from right on the touchline looked like it was James Coates's who shouted for the ball but disappointingly allowed Nathan Blissett to beat him to the centre and he headed home into the unguarded net.
It looked like that was pretty much that for New Mills but there was late hope as Luke Horrocks finally beat Day with a low shot but it proved to be a mere consolation as despite a whole host of substitutions and the trainers being called upon, referee Mr Billingham indicated there was only two additional minutes to play.
Whilst disappointed to lose their unbeaten NPL record, The Millers will look back on an undoubted Man of the Match performance from Romulus's goalkeeper and it is hoped that some of the absentees are available for Tuesday evening's game on the green, green grass of home against Market Drayton Town.
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler (Kingsley Grandison), Otis Gorman, Danny Jackson, Clive Brown, Chris Curley, Carl Carey, Chris Young, Ashley Stott, Luke Horrocks, Antony Field (Justin Pickering). Unused subs - James Moss, Jordan Edridge, Ben Proctor (GK)

Millers 3 Rainworth MW 2. Sat 3rd Sept 11. FA Cup Preliminary Round

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

Despite throwing away a two goal lead, New Mills progressed into the next round of The FA Cup at the expense of fellow Evo Stik NPL Division One South side Rainworth Miners Welfare.
The Millers, who were dealt a double pre match blow with the late withdrawals of Carlos Meakin and Otis Gorman with knee injuries, took the lead in the twentieth minute. The two teams met down in Mansfield only ten days ago with New Mills winning the NPL fixture courtesy of two free kicks and again it was a set piece which helped breach the Rainworth defence. Antony Field delivered a wicked ball and although it was questionable whether it was a shot or cross, Dean Crowe glanced the ball home at the back post with keeper Gavin Saxby rooted to the spot.
Young Field, who has made an impressive start to his Church Lane career, was again involved in the build up to New Mills's second goal nine minutes later. His cross from the right found Ashley Stott who collected the ball with his back to goal but after wriggling free of his marker, he cleverly created the space to fire a shot past Saxby albeit aided by a slight deflection.
The home side were in cruise control at this point but visibly took their foot of the gas for the remainder of the first half as Rainworth looked to take advantage. Only a superb last ditch challenge by Clive Brown prevented Sean Cann from breaking through on goal but the visitors did reduce the deficit six minutes before the interval. Luke Horrocks needlessly gave away a free kick and the resulting set piece ultimately found Lee Cooksey who beat debutant James Coates with an excellent strike.
An even better goal from Sean Cann who left the new keeper helpless with a dipping effort from outside the penalty area drew the visitors level on the hour.
The lethargic Millers who started the second half as they finished the first, started to look more threatening following the introduction of Daniel Douglas-Pringle for Kingsley Grandison. The substitute was involved in a great move featuring Antony Field and Ashley Stott before he delivered a dangerous
centre which just evaded a lunging Dean Crowe at the back post who arrived a split second too late to convert the cross.
The winner arrived with sixteen minutes of the Cup tie remaining and again it was a dead ball which proved Rainworth's undoing. Dean Crowe was hacked down just outside the penalty area and Michael Bowler expertly curled the resulting free kick over the wall and just inside the upright.
The two sides exchanged late chances when home substitute Danny Jackson's header was deflected narrowly wide and George Zuerner's shot lacked the pace to seriously test James Coates.
So despite not playing at their fluent best, New Mills progressed into the next round where they will face a trip to the outskirts of Peterborough to face Deeping Rangers of The United Counties Premier League on Saturday 17th September.
Team - James Coates, Michael Bowler, Kingsley Grandison (Daniel Douglas-Pringle), Nik Kudiersky, Clive Brown, Chris Curley, Antony Field (Danny Jackson), Chris Young, Ashley Stott, Dean Crowe, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Jordan Edridge, James Moss, Ben Proctor (GK)

Millers 2 Stamford 1. Mon 29th Aug 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

New Mills maintained their unbeaten start to The Evo Stik League campaign with a comeback victory against Stamford at Church Lane on Monday.
On a typically miserable Bank Holiday afternoon, both sides had presentable opportunities to open the scoring early in the game. Practically from kick off, the visitors Lee Benson broke free down the right but fortunately for The Millers, his effort was blocked for a corner. Straight down at the other end, Antony Field's corner was met by Carlos Meakin who flashed his header narrowly wide of the target.
It was that man Meakin again who came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the tenth minute when the home side were awarded a free kick twenty five yards from goal. Stamford's Mario Ziccardi formed a poor wall which Meakin spotted but his resulting effort agonisingly hit the base of the post with the keeper well beaten and rebounded to safety.
Despite that narrow miss, it was Stamford who took the lead in the twelfth minute when Sam Mullarkey created his own space on and around the edge of the penalty area and his subsequent shot across Ben Proctor nestled in the bottom corner.
New Mills struck back almost immediately and were back on level terms within four minutes. The returning Antony Field's pace was causing endless trouble to the visitors defence and when he fired in yet another cross, nobody, defender or goalkeeper alike, took control of the situation as the ball zipped across the wet playing surface and this indecision allowed Ashley Stott to nick the ball home from close range.
The Millers suffered a blow around the half hour mark when following a scramble in the home penalty area, the ball was eventually cleared to safety but Tony Barras was injured in the process and was replaced by Danny Jackson straightaway. The diagnosis for the centre half was strained medial knee ligaments which unfortunately could mean a lengthy break from the game.
As half time approached, Antony Field again caused problems down the right and his resulting cross found Dean Crowe whose header narrowly missed the target to ensure that the two teams turned round level.
After the interval, Field himself had an early chance to test goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi. Ashley Stott dispossessed Stamford’s Miles Chamberlain but rather than taking on the ball himself, he elected to pass to the young winger who could only slice his first time effort well wide of its intended target.
Stamford were far from out of the game though and Danny Jackson appeared to be lucky to get away with pulling the shirt of an attacker when the Stamford player appeared to have broken free. Referee Mr Sarsfield elected to play the advantage and ultimately this only saw the visitors gain a corner so the vocal protestations at the official's decision appeared to be somewhat justified.
On the hour, the home side had a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Ashley Stott's dipping shot from twenty five yards was excellently tipped onto the crossbar by Mario Ziccardi. With the keeper still trying to recover his position, the rebound fell kindly to Carlos Meakin who connected sweetly from eight yards but struck the ball straight into the only area Ziccardi could protect and incredibly the keeper kept out the shot despite knowing very little about it.
As the rain started to fall heavily, Ziccardi's counterpart Ben Proctor then made his own excellent save when he tipped Lee Beeson's dipping free kick onto the top of the crossbar and away for a corner.
The hard working visitors, who came with a game plan which they executed well for the vast majority of the game, started to visibly tire as their energy levels started to drop as the game neared its conclusion. With twelve minutes remaining, New Mills grabbed the all important third goal of the afternoon.
Again, the provider was Antony Field who drove forward to the bye-line before delivering a lovely ball to the back post. Attacking the cross was full debutant defender Nik Kudiersky who headed the ball back across the goal to where Ashley Stott was lurking with intent. Although his initial effort was stopped dead on the goal-line by Ziccardi, the striker was not to be denied for a second time though as he bundled the ball home to give The Millers a priceless lead.
Despite the poor weather conditions, both teams should be congratulated for providing such an entertaining spectacle but once again it was New Mills who grabbed the three points which extends their unbeaten start to the NPL season to six games.
Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Nik Kudiersky, Tony Barras (Danny Jackson), Antony Field (Chris Curley), Carlos Meakin, Chris Young, Ashley Stott (Kingsley Grandison), Dean Crowe, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Paul Monaghan

Coalville Town 0 Millers 0. Sat 27th Aug 11. Evo Stik League

New Mills extended their unbeaten start to the season to five games as they came away with a point from a game of very few clear cut chances for both teams.
The Millers shaded the first half's play against last season's FA Vase runners up, with chances falling to Ashley Stott, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Carlos Meakin and Tony Barras with Coalville Town mainly restricted to shots from the edge of the penalty box. The first half's best chance came as the half time whistle approached. The Millers won a free kick some thirty yards out in a central position, and as he had done twice in the previous match at Rainworth, Carlos Meakin stepped up and struck the free kick fiercely but it rattled the crossbar with Sean Bowles beaten all ends up.
The second half was a carbon copy of the first half with The Millers taking the game to Coalville Town without looking too dangerous in front of goal. The final third of the match saw Coalville start to come into the game as they looked to break the deadlock. Ben Proctor in the Millers goal was forced to make his first save of the match on sixty six minutes after a shot from Coalville's Nathan Jones, and just four minutes later Proctor was again called into action. Coalville won a corner, which when taken seemed to deceive the goalkeeper and as he came for it through a crowded box he could only palm it down, but the subsequent Coalville shot from Callum Woodward found Michael Bowler on the line and he hacked it away to safety.
As the game entered injury time a dinked cross down the Millers right was flicked on by Luke Horrocks who found Douglas-Pringle clean through on goal but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside. As the Coalville defender went to retrieve the ball to restart play Douglas-Pringle kicked the ball out of his reach. A subsequent scuffle broke out and despite not connecting Douglas-Pringle raised his hand and saw red for his actions. Neither referee or assistant seemed to witness the incident but still saw fit to dismiss the player on the strength of what was said from the home bench and from the terraces. The Millers held on through five minutes of injury time with debutant substitute Nikolaus Kudiersky making a vital block deep into stoppage time.
Overall a draw was the right result for both teams who will hope to be in the mix for honours at the end of the season.
Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Tony Barras, Clive Brown, ( Nikolaus Kudiersky), Carl Carey (Chris Curley), Carlos Meakin, Chris Young, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Ashley Stott (Dean Crowe), Luke Horrocks. Unused sub - Justin Pickering

Rainworth MW 0 Millers 2. Tues 23rd Aug 11. Evo Stik League

New Mills secured another excellent three Evo Stik Northern Premier League points as they deservedly triumphed at Rainworth Miners Welfare on Tuesday evening.
The pre match talk amongst the spectators present was the lack of rain in the Mansfield area over the last few weeks and the scorched grass around Kirklington Road and the rock hard playing surface certainly showed visible signs of this.
The home side's Ian Clarke curled a free kick wide of Ben Proctor's goal in the eighth minute but that was a rare attack for Rainworth as The Millers grabbed the initiative and took full control of the game as they permanently probed in and around Rainworth’s penalty area looking for the all important breakthrough.
Daniel Douglas-Pringle's fierce shot from an acute angle was parried away by Gavin Saxby, Tony Barras powered a header narrowly over the crossbar and then only keeper Saxby's outstretched foot denied Luke Horrocks as the midfielder couldn't quite put the finishing touches to a magical run which saw him beat numerous home defenders.
The first half was perfectly described by a home fan who said that his team had “ chased shadows “ but despite their dominance, New Mills walked into the dressing room on level terms.
Upon the resumption, The Millers carried on their relentless pressing and Ashley Stott very nearly bundled home Luke Horrocks's cross at the back post but couldn't get any meaningful contact on the ball which bounced up awkwardly at him.
The pressure finally told in the fifty ninth minute but it took a set piece to break the deadlock. Luke Horrocks was hacked down for the umpteenth time in the game and whilst Carlos Meakin's resulting free kick wasn't the cleanest of strikes, it had more than enough to beat Gavin Saxby who should really have done better to prevent the ball nestling in the bottom corner.
Strangely that goal boosted the home side as for practically for the first time in the game, they managed to string some passes together and they really should have been on level terms five minutes later. It was practically substitute Lee Cooksey's first touch of the game but with an open goal at his mercy, he only managed to scuff his effort into the grateful hands of Ben Proctor when it seemed almost impossible to miss.
Only an excellent covering tackle from Cameron Fearon prevented Daniel Douglas-Pringle from scoring and within a minute of that, Ashley Stott looked to have been crudely upended in the penalty area. With the award of a spot kick looking a mere formality, referee Mr Newman at least proved consistent in his overall display by completely ignoring the foul and playing on.
Maybe the lack of the decision prayed on the official’s mind as the second goal came via a slightly generous free kick conceded by Ricky Hanson for an alleged foul on substitute Carl Carey. In an almost identical position to his opening strike, Carlos Meakin this time picked the opposite corner and expertly curled the ball around the wall and past the stranded Gavin Saxby.
The second goal gave the scoreline a more realistic reflection on how the game panned out as The Millers put in an almost complete team performance with every player contributing to the success.
Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Tony Barras, Clive Brown, Kingsley Grandison (Carl Carey), Carlos Meakin, Chris Young, Daniel Douglas-Pringle (Paul Monaghan), Ashley Stott, Luke Horrocks. Unused subs - Justin Pickering, Jordan Edridge, James Taylor (GK)

Millers 2 Sheffield FC 1. Sat 20th Aug 11. Evo Stik League

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

New Mills sit proudly at the top of The Evo Stik NPL Division One South after their excellent start to the season continued with victory over Sheffield FC at Church Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The home side looked to carry on from where they left off from Monday night's win over Newcastle Town and moments after Sheffield's defender Matt Varley headed off the line, Carlos Meakin scored the opening goal of the game in the fourteenth minute. A good move fashioned between Daniel Douglas-Pringle and Luke Horrocks saw the latter's left wing cross superbly dummied by debutant Ashley Stott and Meakin arrived in trademark style to volley the ball into the roof of the net from twelve yards.
Sheffield didn't pose much of an attacking threat in the opening twenty minutes or so but from their first meaningful opportunity of the afternoon, Ben Proctor had to be alert to stop Jack Barnett's free kick low down at his near post.
New striker Ashley Stott, who joined The Millers in the week after a spell playing in Australia, had the chance to double the advantage five minutes before the interval but his effort was well blocked by Dan Whatsize. This miss came back to hurt the home side as they conceded the equaliser right on the stroke of half time when Otis Gorman was adjudged to have felled Conor Higginson in the box and referee Mr Kettlewell pointed for a penalty. Andy Gascoigne kept his cool to dispatch the spot kick and level the scores, somewhat fortuitously, at the break.
It was obvious from the shouting and bawling emanating from the away dressing room what Sheffield's management thought of their display in the opening forty five minutes and the players reacted positively to their dressing down. Ben Proctor again did well low down to prevent Callum Harrison's powerful shot which appeared at first sight to be sneaking just inside the upright.
The Millers got their second wind on a warm and humid High Peak afternoon and started to regain their attacking threat. Carlos Meakin stung the palms of Dan Whatsize who turned away his ferocious free kick and then Luke Horrocks narrowly curled an effort the wrong side of the post.
With seventeen minutes of the game remaining, New Mills grabbed what proved to be the winner. Luke Horrocks, who was probably the home side's stand out player, again caused problems down the left hand side and his dangerous cross found Ashley Stott who celebrated his debut by timing his run to perfection to beat the offside trap and cleverly side footed the ball home.
Stott's last involvement of the game being before substituted with cramp was to hit the base of the post and as The Millers looked to secure the game, Sheffield keeper Whatsize made a superb save to fingertip Daniel Douglas-Pringle's effort over the crossbar.
Mr Kettlewell added on five minutes of stoppage time and in the second of these, a mass scramble in New Mills's area caused by Ben Proctor spilling the ball under pressure eventually saw Sheffield's last effort on goal blazed over the crossbar.

Millers 0 Manchester United Reserves 7. Thurs 18th Aug 11. 125th Anniversary match.

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

(report taken from Manchester United's website - www.manutd.com)
United's Reserves bounced back from Monday's opening league defeat at Arsenal with a comprehensive 7-0 demolition of New Mills in the final friendly of their programme.
The fixture was rearranged from Sunday and the torrential rain failed to upset the Reds' flowing football as the team displayed great control, passing and movement on a slippery surface. It took 20 minutes for the visitors to break through as, after Jesse Lingard appealed for a penalty when felled on the edge of the box, Luke Giverin curled home the resulting free-kick in any case.
An incisive move up the field led to John Cofie quickly doubling the advantage with a low shot beyond the reach of Ben Procter in the home goal. A double strike just before half-time emphasised the gulf in quality with Davide Petrucci's terrific through ball dispatched with nonchalant ease by Will Keane. Cofie then claimed his second by collecting a Larnell Cole pass and rifling home an angled finish.
The second half saw more one-way traffic and Will Keane was on the scoresheet again with a typically well-taken drive in a crowded penalty area on 63 minutes. The Millers managed to put up a brave fight in the second period, despite a number of substitutions, but a couple of late efforts again underlined the Reds' class.
Powerful attacker Cofie sealed his hat-trick with a similar finish to Keane's, finding the net from close range with a low effort following an assist from his strike partner to double his tally for the new campaign.
There was still time for Brazilian substitute Rafael Leao to get in on the act, converting a pass from Marnick Vermijl to ensure Warren Joyce's side racked up their best result of all the friendlies, pipping the 7-1 win recorded at Spartans.
New Mills starting eleven - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Luke Horrocks, Otis Gorman, Clive Brown, Chris Curley, Kingsley Grandison, Chris Young, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Ashley Stott, Antony Field.
Manchester United: Sam Johnstone, Marnick Vermijl, Sean McGinty, Larnell Cole, Michale Fornasier, Michael.Keane, Jesse Lingard, John Cofie, Will Keane, Davide Petrucci, Luke Giverin. Subs - Rafael Leao, Alberto Massacci, Oliver Norwood, Danny Drinkwater, Joe Coll

New Mills AFC would like to thank Warren Joyce, his coaching staff and the players for playing such a significant part in our Anniversary celebrations and we wish them well for the new season.

Millers 4 Newcastle Town 2. Mon 15th Aug 11. Evo Stik League

An outstanding second half display saw New Mills overcome a half time deficit to beat Newcastle Town at Church Lane on Monday evening.
Looking to build on their opening day success over Belper Town, the visitors took the lead in the sixth minute. Whilst there was no debate over the awarding of a penalty following a foul on Nathan Sutton by centre half Clive Brown, New Mills thought that they should have been awarded a free kick for a foul on full debutant Chris Curley in the build up. Nevertheless Mr Carratt's decision stood and Anthony Malbon smashed the spot kick into the top corner of Ben Proctor's net.
A clever set piece very nearly drew The Millers level shortly after but Michael Bowler's deft flick on at the near post flashed across the goal without any of his onrushing team mates being able to apply the finishing touch.
The equaliser eventually arrived just after the half hour and was well worth the admission price alone. Daniel Douglas-Pringle, who lead the line superbly all night, created the goal with a pacey run down the right before playing in Antony Field. The youngster cleverly ran onto the pass before thundering a
stunning strike just inside the angle of post and crossbar to register an early contender for goal of the season.
The opening half was played at a cracking pace and it was Newcastle who seized the initiative five minutes before the break. Otis Gorman, who had only been on the field for a couple of minutes after replacing the injured Danny Jackson, was involved in a mix up with goalkeeper Ben Proctor and the loose ball fell kindly to Anthony Malbon who scored to register his second goal of the game and fourth already this season.
New Mills very nearly drew level in the opening minutes of the second half but keeper Dave Dyson did well to deal with Antony Field's effort which bounced awkwardly in front of him. But the equaliser wasn't too far away and it was Dean Crowe who bagged it in the fifty eighth minute. Luke Horrocks was the catalyst with a storming cross field run and after appearing to have hit a dead end, he
played in Kingsley Grandison with an excellent reverse pass which took full back Darren Chadwick completely out of the game. After reaching the bye-line, Grandison played the percentage ball across the face of the goal and duly found Crowe who tapped home from close range.
The momentum of the game was well and truly in The Millers favour now and they took the lead for the first time with a quarter of the game remaining. This time, Crowe turned from goal-getter to goal-provider as his through ball played in Daniel Douglas-Pringle whose lightning pace took him clear of the Town back line and his composed finish from a tight angle found the corner of the net.
It was important that the home defence learnt their lesson from last weekend's game at Quorn where they conceded two late goals and they protected their hard fought advantage as a collective unit. Despite using their full quota of substitutions, the closest Newcastle came to levelling proceedings was when a corner caused confusion in the penalty area but centre half Matt Bradbury could
only drag his effort wide of the upright.
Daniel Douglas-Pringle had the chance to wrap up the game with seven minutes remaining but Dave Dyson was alert enough to smother the danger but New Mills secured the three points in stoppage time. Douglas-Pringle was again heavily involved in the build up as was Kingsley Grandison but it was Dean Crowe who applied the decisive finish from around twelve yards.
The game was an superb advertisement for local semi professional football and both teams should be praised considerably for their efforts. This performance has set the bar very high and if these standards are maintained over the next nine months, The Millers are set for another exciting season.
Team - Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Luke Horrocks, Danny Jackson (Otis Gorman), Clive Brown, Chris Curley, Kingsley Grandison, Chris Young, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Dean Crowe, Antony Field (Justin Pickering). Unused subs - Paul Monaghan, Jordan Edridge, Luke Podmore

Quorn 2 Millers 2. Sat 13th Aug 11. Evo Stik League

New Mills threw away a two goal lead on their Evo Stik Northern Premier League debut as ten man Quorn rescued an unlikely point in the last fifteen minutes of the game at The Farley Way Stadium in Leicestershire.
After a mixed pre season campaign, The Millers made a very confident and competent start to the game and only alert goalkeeping from Matt Nurse in the fifth minute deprived Daniel Douglas-Pringle.
Debutant Anthony Field very nearly made a dream start to his Church Lane career when he was the recipient of a quickly taken throw in and his resulting shot from outside the area flew narrowly wide of the home target with keeper Nurse well beaten.
New Mills finally took a deserved lead in the seventeenth minute when Ian Robinson felled Daniel Douglas-Pringle in the box and referee Mr Harvey had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped captain Carlos Meakin who confidently dispatched the penalty by sending keeper Nurse the wrong way.
The Millers controlled the vast majority of the opening forty five minutes and only allowed Quorn one significant chance at goal in the first half. Centre half Danny Jackson misjudged the flight of a long clearance and allowed Kris Nurse a free run on goal but Jackson made amends with an excellent timed recovery tackle which preserved the visitors half time advantage which may have been increased further on the stroke of the interval when Carlos Meakin's low shot was well smothered by Matt Nurse.
Quorn's plight wasn't helped five minutes into the second half when they were reduced to ten men when Ricky Nurse was dismissed. Daniel Douglas-Pringle had escaped the home defence and was clean through on goal when Nurse wrestled him to the ground and Mr Harvey had no alternative but to show him a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
The Millers doubled their advantage in the fifty seventh minute and resulted from a very simple but highly effective passage of play. Anthony Field started the move and after also involving Carlos Meakin, a clever dummy from Dean Crowe saw Douglas-Pringle collect the ball and with time and space, he completed the superb move with a clinical finish.
Boosted by that second goal, the confidence in the New Mills side was visible and Douglas-Pringle, Dean Crowe and Carlos Meakin all has opportunities to increase their lead even further and secure the three points but the chances were squandered.
Despite Ben Procter making an excellent point blank save to deny Liam Turner who was sadly stretchered off with a knee injury after his effort, the home side weren't particularly threatening but that all changed with the introduction of substitute Sam Leggitt with a quarter of an hour remaining. He scored within two minutes of entering the field of play when he headed home fellow replacement Callum Ross's cross.
Ross was then unlucky to see a header smack off the underside of the crossbar but when the same incident happened with five minutes left, Leggitt's flashing header was adjudged to have crossed the line to draw Quorn level.
The Millers lived on their nerves in five minutes of stoppage time but ultimately gained a point from a game they should have closed out and won.
Team - Ben Procter, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Danny Jackson (Jordan Edridge), Clive Brown, Kingsley Grandison, Carlos Meakin, Chris Young (Chris Curley), Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Dean Crowe, Anthony Field. Unused subs - Paul Monaghan, Justin Pickering, James Taylor (GK)

Millers 3 Salford City 2. Sat 6th Aug 11. Pre Season Friendly

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

New Mills completed their preparations for their forthcoming Evo Stik League campaign with a morale boosting comeback victory against Salford City at Church Lane on Saturday afternoon.
As has been the way during the pre season friendlies, The Millers conceded goals which were avoidable as they gifted Salford a two goal lead within the first twenty minutes. Firstly, Alex Mortimer's left wing cross wasn't dealt with by any of the three covering defenders who failed to take control of the situation and this left James Ogoo with time and space to convert comfortably. Then in the eighteenth minute, a long punt forward from right back Darren Hockenhull caught the back line square and after goalkeeper Ben Procter fatally hesitated in coming for the ball, alert striker Jack Redshaw dropped a perfectly judged lob into the back of the net.
Fortunately for the home side, their attacking players were causing a few problems at the other end of the pitch and the deficit was halved just short of the half hour. A short corner routine caught the Salford defence napping and this allowed the unmarked Paul Monaghan to sneak into the near post and steer home Kingsley Grandison's low centre.
New Mills should have been on level terms just before the interval when a fine flowing move involving no fewer than five players eventually saw the ball land at the feet of the industrious Chris Young. Unfortunately the midfielder's finish didn't quite match the build up as he scuffed his shot narrowly wide of the upright.
Salford had two golden opportunities to increase their advantage in the opening sixty seconds of the second half. Ex New Mills striker Cayne Hanley used his pace and strength to break clear but the substitute's shot came back off the upright and then moments later, Steve Murty's cross found its way to Glyn Barker at the far post who somehow fired his effort wide of the target.
New Mills's cause was helped by the withdrawal of Salford's Matty Cross who was forced off with an injury and this left the visitors down to ten men for the remainder of the game as they had already used their allotted substitutions. Using the space now afforded to him as a result of Cross's departure, Dean Crowe twice very nearly drew The Millers level but his deft lob landed on the roof of the net and then his twenty yard shot fractionally curled the wrong side of Andy Robertson's post.
The deserved equaliser finally arrived with ten minutes of the game remaining when Chris Young's delightful pass found Luke Horrocks who with time and space, picked his finish by crashing the ball home into the far corner.
With the momentum of that goal as well as playing with the extra man, The Millers had their tails up and grabbed what proved to be the winner four minutes later. Dean Crowe's cross from the right found Luke Horrocks and whilst the striker's contact wasn't the sweetest, Salford's keeper Robertson had already committed himself to the dive and was powerless to prevent the ball from slowly looping over him and under the crossbar.
New Mills - Ben Procter, Michael Bowler, Luke Podmore, Otis Gorman, Daniel Jackson, Paul Monaghan, Kingsley Grandison, Chris Young, Dean Crowe, Luke Horrocks,Justin Pickering
Substitutes - James Taylor (GK), Anthony Field, Carl Carey, Clive Brown, Jordan Edridge, Jarrod Holmes, Robbie Robertson, Niall Whittaker

Millers 1 FC United 6. Thurs 28th July 11. Pre Season Friendly

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

FC United of Manchester hit New Mills for six at Church Lane on Thursday evening.
The Millers miserable night started a mere forty eight seconds after kick off when goalkeeper Ben Procter fatally hesitated collecting counterpart James Spencer's long clearance and allowed Ben Deegan to nip in front of him to steer the ball home into the unguarded net.
FC United, who narrowly failed to gain promotion to The Conference North last season after losing in The Evo Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division play off final, doubled their advantage in the twenty third minute. This time Procter was blameless as he denied Deegan with an excellent save but unfortunately the rebound fell kindly to Carlos Roca who finished emphatically.
Roca scored his second goal of the evening seven minutes before half time when he collected Ben Deegan's flick on and after escaping the defensive line, the midfielder coolly finished into the corner of the net.
The Millers, who had posed very little attacking threat, did manage to pull one back shortly before the interval. A quick set piece caught FC's defence napping for about the only time in the game and this enabled Matthew Berkeley to pick out Richard Rowe and the defender bravely threw himself at the ball and headed an excellent goal.
The three goal cushion was restored six minutes after the interval when half time substitute Nicky Platt was on hand to turn home Kyle Jacobs cut back from the right wing.
The right wing play from FC was causing The Millers numerous problems and it was no surprise when their fifth goal came from that area of the pitch. On this occasion, James Holden delivered an accurate free kick to the back post where centre half Dave Chadwick, who featured for New Mills as a dual registered player last season, powerfully headed home.
The visitors final goal of the game arrived with twenty minutes remaining when Richard Rowe brought down Mike Norton in the area and referee Mr Wilson had no hesitation in pointing for a penalty. The FC striker dusted himself down and dispatched the resulting spot kick with ease.
Home substitute Justin Pickering twice nearly reduced the arrears in the closing stages of the game and whilst The Millers were soundly beaten on the night, nothing should detract from FC United's all round performance which will undoubtedly see them knocking on the promotion door once again this coming season.
New Mills starting eleven - Ben Procter, Jordan Edridge, Luke Horrocks, Danny Jackson, Otis Gorman, Richard Rowe, Kingsley Grandison, Chris Young, Dean Crowe, Matthew Berkeley, Anthony Field.

Glossop NE 3 Millers 1. Tues 26th July 11. High Peak Cup Semi Final. Pre Season Friendly

After controlling the first hour of The High Peak Cup Semi Final, New Mills threw away victory in the final thirty minutes against local rivals Glossop North End at Surrey Street on Tuesday evening.
The Millers took the lead in the third minute when Anthony Field's pace badly exposed the home defence and the young midfielder capitalised on the space afforded to him by superbly finding the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Crisp, neat passing was the order of the day for New Mills as they were proving to be a constant threat in attack. Seeking to double the advantage, Daniel Douglas-Pringle shot narrowly wide of the target and Matthew Berkeley was only denied by a good save low down to his left by ex Millers keeper Joe Boyle.
The home side barely registered a worthwhile effort on goal in the first half and despite making a couple of attacking substitutions after the interval which changed their shape, New Mills whilst not being as dominant, were coping fairly comfortably with North End despite the withdrawal of Carlos Meakin with an ankle injury.
That all changed in the sixty fifth minute when out of the blue, Glossop equalised when Daniel Douglas-Pringle was penalised for handball in the area and Adam Oakes coolly sent Ben Procter the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.
That goal visibly lifted Glossop and the momentum of the game shifted decisively from thereon and after hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession, the home side's pressure was rewarded when they took the lead with five minutes remaining when Sam Hind crashed in a spectacular shot from some distance.
The Millers never really looked like equalising as the clock ticked down and to rub salt into their wounds, substitute Luke Pearson broke free in stoppage time and slotted the ball past the advancing Ben Procter to put the game beyond any doubt.
New Mills starting eleven - Ben Procter, Paul Monaghan, Luke Horrocks, Richard Rowe, Tony Barras, Chris Young, Carlos Meakin, Matthew Berkeley, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Dean Crowe, Anthony Field

Millers 2 Bala Town 3. Sat 23rd July 11. Pre Season Friendly

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

For the second time in the week, New Mills lost a pre season friendly by a single goal, this time slipping to a narrow defeat against Welsh Premier League side Bala Town.
In a similar vein to Wednesday night's game against Hyde FC, it was the visitors who started the stronger and were unlucky not to take the lead in the tenth minute when Stef Edwards's corner wasn't collected properly by keeper Ben Procter. The ball rebounded into the path of Stuart Jones who rattled the underside of the crossbar from close range and fortunately for The Millers, the ball bounced away from the line and was subsequently cleared.
Lively strike partners Lee Hunt and Chris Mason were a constant threat to the home defence in the opening forty five minutes and between them they fashioned out Bala's best chance of the half. Hunt found time and space down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross to Mason whose side foot finish past the upright didn't match the build up play.
New Mills had a lot of possession in the first half but not in areas that particularly hurt the Welsh side but as is usually the way, it was the home side who took the lead a minute before half time with their one and only effort on target. Substitute Niall Whittaker won the ball down the right and crossed a lovely ball straight into the path of the unmarked Daniel Douglas-Pringle who emphatically volleyed past Terry McCormick from eight yards.
That strike boosted The Millers as they opened the second half by asking more questions of the Bala defence but it was an outstanding piece of defensive work at the other end of the pitch which prevented an equaliser ten minuets after the restart. Striker Lee Hunt rounded Ben Procter and looked odds on to roll the ball into the empty net but centre half Clive Brown came out of nowhere to conjure up a superb block to deny Hunt.
That block took on even more relevance sixty seconds later as the home side doubled their advantage with another well constructed goal. Good build up play down the right eventually saw Daniel Douglas-Pringle turn from goalscorer to goal provider as he delivered a cross right onto the head of Matthew Berkeley who glanced the ball past Terry McCormick and into the corner of the net.
A host of substitutions took place just after the hour and with the home replacements barely settled into the flow of the game, Chris Mason reduced the arrears with a fairly simple finish past Ben Procter.
The game ebbed and flowed at this point and a third goal for New Mills probably would have sealed the game and they came within inches of doing so in the sixty fifth minute. Carlos Meakin twisted and turned on the edge of the penalty area to create room for a shot and after achieving this, he was only denied by an excellent finger tip save by McCormick who turned the ball around the post for a corner.
Bala drew level with just over a quarter of an hour remaining when Mark Jones collected a rebound after a previous effort had hit a post and buried the ball past Ben Procter from ten yards. Despite being beaten on that occasion, the New Mills keeper then kept his side in the game with an outstanding double save to deny Mark Jones and Stuart Jones.
It was not to be Procter's afternoon though as his gallant performance was not to be rewarded as the Welsh side scored the winner with three minutes to go when Lee Hunt crashed the ball home into the roof of the net.
There was still sufficient time for The Millers to create a golden opportunity to draw level when Matthew Berkeley's pace caused problems down the left and his resulting cross found Justin Pickering at the near post. His clever little dinked shot came back of the upright and fell kindly into the path of Niall Whittaker whose effort lacked the necessary power to beat the massed defensive ranks on the goal-line.
New Mills starting eleven - Ben Procter, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Richard Rowe, Tony Barras, Clive Brown, Carlos Meakin, Chris Young, Matthew Berkeley, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Luke Horrocks.

Millers 1 Hyde FC 2. Weds 20th July 11. Pre Season Friendly

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

A brace from striker Danny Broadbent secured victory for Hyde at Church Lane on a wet Wednesday evening.
The visitors, who were only reprieved from relegation from The Conference North following Rushden and Diamonds demise in the close season, started the game impressively and Mike Whitwell came within inches of opening the scoring in the ninth minute when his shot flashed across Ben Procter but fractionally wide of the target.
Following on from last weekend's excellent display against Stockport County, The Millers simply couldn't gain any momentum in the attacking third of the pitch until three minutes before the interval when striker Dean Crowe finally escaped Hyde's defensive line but with goalkeeper Dave Carnell quickly advancing off his line, the striker hurried his effort and shot wide.
That miss came back to the haunt the home side in first half stoppage time when Hyde capitalised on some defensive hesitancy by full back Luke Podmore who was dispossessed. Danny Broadbent was the ultimate recipient and his shot from the edge of the penalty area took a slight deflection on its way past Ben Procter.
The visitors doubled their advantage twenty minutes after the break and again The Millers contributed to their own downfall when an attacker was wrestled to the ground inside the area and referee Mr Wilson immediately pointed to the spot. Despite getting a hand to the ball, keeper Procter was unable to deny Broadbent's second goal of the game.
This goal and the introduction of some fresh faces up front finally awoke New Mills from their attacking slumbers. Striker Tommy Smith had two presentable opportunities to reduce the deficit but firstly was denied by Dave Carnell and then fizzed a shot narrowly wide of the far upright.
With fifteen minutes of the game remaining, substitutes Justin Pickering and Matthew Berkeley linked up well to finally grab The Millers a lifeline. The former picked up a stray pass in the midfield area and slotted a pinpoint ball through to the latter who coolly placed his shot just inside the post.
This goal ensured a late charge from the home side but it was Hyde who came closest to scoring again when they hit the crossbar in the dying stages of the game.
New Mills starting eleven - Ben Procter, Michael Bowler, Luke Podmore, Richard Rowe, Clive Brown, Paul Monaghan, Anthony Field, Chris Young, Tommy Smith, Dean Crowe, Luke Horrocks

Millers 1 Stockport County 1. Fri 16th July 11. Pre Season Friendly

Match photo's (courtesy of Allan Toft)

Dietmar Hamann's reign as Stockport County manager began with a very entertaining game at Church Lane on Friday evening.
Watched by a bumper crowd in excess of 800, The Millers drew first blood with an excellent goal in the tenth minute. County's defence dealt initially with a set piece but Justin Pickering retrieved the loose ball and delivered a beautiful pinpoint cross which was met in trademark style by Carlos Meakin who thundered a header past Matt Glennon from six yards.
The visitors, who are preparing for life outside The Football League for the first time in well over a century, came closest to equalising on the half hour when striker Martin Gritton's looping header hit the top of the crossbar but despite enjoying a lot of territorial possession for much of the first half, resolute New Mills defending saw Stockport mainly restricted to long distance shooting.
County made ten outfield substitutions, many being trialists, at the interval and lively forward Leighton McGivern had the ball in the net inside the first minute of the second half but it was chalked off as the assistant referee had raised the offside flag. McGivern was not to be denied for long though and equalised in the fifty fifth minute when he chipped the ball over keeper Ben Procter.
Both sides continued to play good passing football without being able to grab a winner and ultimately the entertaining encounter finished in a stalemate.
New Mills starting eleven - Ben Procter, Michael Bowler, Luke Horrocks, Clive Brown, Tony Barras, Chris Young, Anthony Field, Carlos Meakin, Matthew Berkeley, Dean Crowe, Justin Pickering.

Abbey Hey 3 Millers 5. Sat 9th July 11. Pre Season Friendly

New Mills's preparations for their debut season in The Evo Stik League started with a useful workout at The Abbey Stadium on Saturday.
The match was tinged with sadness following the sudden and untimely passing of Abbey Hey's kit man Lowen Douglas during the week and both teams paid their respects before the game by observing a minute's silence.
The Millers, who only returned to pre season training at the start of the week, fielded a number of new players including some from the new in-take of scholars from the Club's new Centre of Excellence. One such recruit, Anthony Fields from Accrington Stanley, set up the opening goal in the eighth minute with a pacy run down the right wing before crossing and finding Kingsley Grandison who scored easily from close range.
A defensive lapse saw David McDonald equalise for the home side three minutes later but The Millers regained the lead when the front two Daniel Douglas-Pringle and Tommy Smith linked up with the latter finishing well.
The roles were reversed just after the half hour when Smith, who played Sunday League football last season after leaving Trafford, laid the ball across the face of the goal for Douglas-Pringle to clinically finish and only the upright prevented Kingsley Grandison from further extending the advantage before half time.
Martin Pilkington reduced the arrears immediately after the resumption when his free kick deflected in off the wall but Tommy Smith scored his second goal of the afternoon from an acute angle to restore New Mills's two goal cushion.
As is usual in these early season games, both sides made a number of substitutions and The Millers much changed defensive line was breached again just after the hour when Martin Pilkington's header beat Ben Procter.
The goalscoring was wrapped up with two minutes of the game remaining when substitute Kristian Cox, who has joined The Centre of Excellence from Port Vale, superbly crashed the ball into the roof of the net to wrap up a satisfactory start to the new season.
New Mills starting eleven - Ben Procter, Michael Bowler, Luke Horrocks, Otis Gorman, Tony Barras, Chris Young, Anthony Fields, Chris Curley, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Tommy Smith, Kingsley Grandison.