Sunday 26th August

New Mills Youth Team 5 - Barrow 1

New Mills cruised into the 2nd qualifying round of the AXA Youth Cup with a tremendous display against former league opposition Barrow.

The Millers were ahead within a minute when Dale Johnson scored the first of an excellent hat-trick with Chris Phieffer and Ben Wyatt scoring the others. McNulty was the Barrow scorer in front of 90 paying spectators.

In the next round New Mills will travel to play the winners of the Osset Town v Burscough tie.

This week sees the First Team travel to Elton Fold on Tuesday (kick-off 6.30 pm) while on Thursday the Reserves entertain Springhead at Church Lane (kick-off 6.30 pm). On Saturday the Firsts are once again at home this time to Willows (kick- off 2.30 pm).

Millers Fight Back
New Mills 2 (Dignan, Clarke) - Wythenshawe Amateurs 2 (Hodnett, Kabani)

Within two minutes of the kick-off Wythenshawe Amateurs lived up to their championship favourites billing by taking the lead at Church Lane through Paul Hodnett. With the Millers always on the back foot it wasn't long before Baz Kabani had added a second with a powerful header to put the visitors 2-0 up.

However, far from letting their heads drop, this only inspired New Mills to start playing their quick passing game, and gradually they took control of the midfield with Scott Dignan proving what a valuable addition to the first team he has quickly become. The Millers reduced the arrears shortly before half time when Dave Clarke found Scott Dignan on the edge of the box and he smartly fired home for his first goal of the season.

The second half saw the Millers turn the game on its head with one of the best displays for many seasons, and it was no surprise when Dave Clarke fired in the equaliser. Urged on by another good crowd of around 100 New Mills pushed forward for the winner, but with only seconds remaining Rick Oldale in the Millers goal pulled off a finger tip save to stop the visitors pinching the three points.

Manager Alan Peatfield said afterwards "The players performance in the second half is the benchmark we are looking for in this division. At 2-0 down I would have settled for a point but we could have won it."

Millers Team: Oldale, Land, Brankin, Morgan, Ignotus, Lees, Dignan, Littler, Clarke, Pite, Wild. Subs Worrall, Lees. Match Ball sponsored by Simon Howarth Builders, Macclesfield.

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Saturday 18th August

Millers Start with a Win: New Mills 3 - Prestwich Heys 1

New Mills returned to the Manchester League Premier Division after a 27 year absence with a battling 3-1 victory over a very impressive Prestwich Heys side managed by former Buxton manager Joe Murty.

Prestwich started the brighter of the two sides but it was the Millers who eventually took the lead when a mix up in the Heys box following a Lees corner saw Dave Clarke fire home from close range. Prestwich continued to put the Millers under pressure, but New Mills defended magnificently to keep the visitors at bay.

The Millers went further ahead when a smart through ball from newcomer Scott Dignan found Steven Land in the clear and he cooly chipped Paul Johnson in the visitors goal to make it 2-0.

Players congratulate Landy after an excellent chip to put the Millers 2-0 up

Prestwich started the second half determined to reduce the arrears, but once again stout defending and some good goalkeeping from Barry Eaton kept them out. A fine all round team performance was rounded off with a third goal scored via a Chris Lees penalty after Rick Jones was brought down following a neat pass from youth team player Robert Dawson.

Just before the final whistle Prestwich finally got the goal they deserved when Lee Smart slid in at the far post to make the final score 3-1 for the Millers.

Millers Boss Alan Peatfield said afterwards "Although we were up against it for long spells, the players dug in and it's an excellent start for us".

Millers in action at home against Prestwich Heys

New Mills Reserves kicked off the new season with a young team away at newly promoted Wilmslow Albion. Despite putting up a good show and hitting the woodwork on three occasions, they went down by 2 goals to 1, with Andy James scoring the Millers goal.