Tuesday 30th April

New Mills Youth team continued their excellent form on Tuesday night when they defeated Rochdalians 4-2 at a very wet Church Lane. Rob Dawson 2, Danny Jackson and Kieron Lugsden scoring for the Millers.

The Millers last home game of the season proved to be comfortable for the home side, but Monton could have bagged a couple during what can only be described as a strange first half. Eaton was forced to scramble back to his goal early on, clearing the ball off his line following an attempted pass-back and when further chances fell to Monton's strikers, the killer touch proved elusive. At the other end, Paddy Littler's powerful header flashed across the goal, following a period of intricate team play, which quite frankly deserved more.

The second half saw the Derbyshire Cup holders get into the swing of things, Mark Donnelly opened the scoring, drilling the ball underneath the advancing keeper to give him the reward that his overall performance richly deserved. New Mills began to push Monton further back which resulted in a second goal courtesy of Gary Morgan's sweet free kick around Montons substantial defensive wall.

A slim day for both teams' strikers inspired Simon Ignotus to step forward from his full-back position when a penalty was awarded on eighty minutes. A flamboyant goal celebration followed his rasping drive, ensuring the Church Lane faithful went home beaming from ear-to-ear in what has been a fairly successful maiden season in the Manchester Premier League. The men in amber can repay their manager's faith by claiming at least a point in their last away game at Rochdale to give them a top five finish, and put the icing on Mr Peatfield`s cake.

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The reserve team lost 3-1 at Prestwich Heys.
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After wrapping up the league championship last week the Millers Youth Team moved a step nearer the double when they beat Daisy Hill 3-0 at Ashton Town on Sunday 28th April. Dale Johnson 2, and Craig Hall scoring for New Mills. The final will be against Leigh R.M.I. on Saturday 18th May, at Leigh R.M.I.

This coming Sunday the lads travel to Ashton once again only this time to face Ashton Athletic, before finishing next week with home games against Winsford United on Thursday 9th May and Stand Athletic on Sunday 12th May.

East Manchester 3 - New Mills 2 With the Derbyshire Cup safely under their belts and the end of the season fast approaching, The Millers went down 3-2 at East Manchester. Stacey Wild and Mark Donnelly scoring for New Mills. Scott Moore's second team continue their excellent form with another comfortable win, this time against Prestwich Heys. Kieron Lugsden gave the Millers a 1-0 half time lead, and there were further goals from Jason Clarke and Rick Jones, to give the home side a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Thick in the action Millers keeper clears from Heys

2001

2002

Friday 12th April

Derbyshire Divisional Cup Final
Two in a Row for Millers:
New Mills 2 - Whaley Bridge 0

In front of a bumper attendance at the Silverlands on Friday night, New Mills kept a firm grip on the Derbyshire Divisional Cup to retain it for a second successive year. Although local rivals Whaley Bridge had edged the first half, Millers keeper Barry Eaton was only tested once when he tipped an early effort over the crossbar, and with both defences looking solid it was no surprise that the two sides went in goalless at the break.

Stuart Milner beats Stephen Done to the ball

Early action in the Millers goalmouth

After the interval however, New Mills got to grips with the bumpy conditions and started to push their near-neighbours back. After several close calls Stacey Wild deservedly put the Millers in front when he fired home from close range. Suddenly the game opened up and with Whaley having to search for an equaliser, spaces began to appear at the back. Dignan and Wild both went close for the Millers who pressed forward at every opportunity.

As the game went into injury time Chris Lees, on as a sub, sent the big Millers' following wild when he headed home with his first touch of the game. At the end of the game both sides sportingly applauded each other in what had been a good final in front of an amazing crowd of 1,004.

New Mills: Eaton, Land, Brankin, Morgan G, Ignotus, Dignan, Littler, Pite, Morgan D, Done, Wild, Donnelly, Holdgate, Lees
Whaley Bridge: Milner, Walker, Longden, Johnson, Hill, Lomas, Kelsall,Brogden, Moss, Dwolitka, Clarke, Jeffs, Smailes, Hadfield.

See CELEBRATION GALLERY

Millers Team Triumphant - Photos by Geoff Potts - see Celebration Gallery for more

MIGHTY MILLER'S 'A BRIDGE TOO FAR' FOR WHALEY

WE WON by two goals to nil - a great night was had by all and the fitness and class of the New Mills side paid off in the end. Whaley had much possession throughout the first half with the Millers' solid defence coping admirably. Neither side had clear opportunities, but when the occasion was warranted, Eaton in New Mills' goal and his counterpart Milner both looked comfortable.

During the secondhalf Pite and Littler for New Mills closed Whaley's midfield down to good effect, allowing the ball to be spread down the wings, which troubled Whaley greatly. Wild opened the scoring latching on to one of many quality crosses, which was created from superb teamwork.

Once in front, the determination of the team in amber became ever-apparent, unyielding in defence and with an insatiable appetite, a second goal was not far from possible. The full complement of substitutes were dispatched, Mark Donnelley proving what a prospect he is, being unfortunate not to have scored in front of the Millers "faithful", however Wild's delightful 87th minute cross found Chris Lees who headed the ball home with his only touch of the game.

A match contested with the greatest of spirit with Whaley's players sportingly applauding their Derby rivals, who had retained the trophy with some style. Gate 1004.

New Mills Reserves 2 : Atherton Town 1
A strong Millers line-up defeated Division Two league leaders Atherton Town at Church Lane on Thursday night. Stacey Wild and Rick Jones netting for New Mills.

Youth Team: New Mills 2 - Daisy Hill 0 (Thomas, White)

New Mills Youth team moved a step closer to the First Division title with a comfortable away win at Daisy Hill. Both goals coming in the first half.

Youth Team: New Mills 3 - Leigh RMI 3 (Dale Johnson 2, Ben Hall)

New Mills moved a step closer to the Division One title after a 3-3 draw with Leigh R.M.I. The Millers had led in the game three times after two goals from Dale Johnson and one from Ben Hall, but a late penalty saw the points shared. However, with Wilmslow Albion going down 4-2 the Millers increased their lead at the top to four points with four games in hand.

Joe Morrell grimaces at a near miss

New Mills 2nd goal

New Mills 3rd goal - Photo by Geoff Potts

After reaching the Open Trophy Final last weekend, it was a case of "After the Lord Mayor's Show" as the Reserves came down to earth with a bump when they were well beaten 5-2 by Dukinfield Town at Church Lane on Thursday night. Rick Adrio and substitute Kelvin Lugsden finding the net for the Millers.

Saturday saw normal service resumed as Scott Moore's men came back from a goal down at the break to beat a tough East Manchester side 2-1. Jason Clarke equalised for the Millers before Howard Swarrey fired home the winner.

Saturday 6th

First Team: New Mills 1 - Pennington 0

Dean Morgan scoring in the second half.

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Open Trophy SF:
New Mills Reserves 4 - Elton Fold Reserves 0

To play Irlam Mitchel Shackleton in the final.

Millers first goal from Danny Thomas' corner - Pictures by Geoff Potts

Rick Jones slots in his first goal (Millers second)

Rick Jones second goal (Millers third)

Millers Climb To 5th: New Mills 2 - Springhead 0

New Mills moved to 5th in the Air Miles Premier League on Wednesday night after a comfortable 2-0 win over Springhead. The Millers took the lead after 13 minutes when Stephen "Paddy" Littler headed home. Dean Morgan almost made it two moments later, but he just failed to connect with another good cross.

New Mills made the points safe right at the start of the second half when Mickey Brankin stooped to head in. Millers: Eaton, Holdgate, Brankin 1, Morgan G, Ignotus, Land, Littler 1, Pite, Morgan, Done, Wild, Dignan, Jones, Phieffer.

Minutes silence at the start in memory of the Queen Mother

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Open Cup Quarter Final: New Mills 3 - Marine A 3 (aet Marine won 4-2 on pens)

First Division New Mills Youth Team came mighty close to causing an upset against the Premier Division leaders on Sunday 7th April. Three times the Millers led with goals from Danny Slater, Stuart White and a cracker from Craig Hall, but each time Marine hit back to take the tie to penalties. In the shoot out New Mills went down 4-2. One piece of good news, however, came in the league where nearest rivals Wilmslow Albion went down 3-1 to Rochdalians to leave the Millers five points clear at the top with two games in hand.