Saturday 15th December

Flag Day: New Mills 0 - Dukinfield Town 0

New Mills were robbed of three points on Saturday after once again having a goal ruled out by a linesman's flag. After a very tight first half, with few chances at either end, the Millers came out for the second half determined to break the deadlock. Leading-scorer Dean Morgan came closest when he beat the keeper, only to see his shot hit the post and travel along the line before going away to safety.

Millers on the attack early in 1st half

Under pressure again the ball is cleared by Town defence

However, with fifteen minutes left New Mills thought they had scored the goal that would have taken them level at the top with Atherton Town, when Dean Morgan's thunderous drive was beaten out by Andy Hurst the Town keeper, only for substitute Dave Clarke to fire home. To the amazement of the crowd the linesman waved his flag for offside, even though a defender was clearly stood behind the keeper playing the striker onside.

Millers eagerly await the ball from free kick

The ball is crossed across a very straight line Town defence

Despite this setback the Millers continued to press and with minutes remaining Gary Morgan could have won it when he headed over with the goal at his mercy. At the end of the game it was the visitors who went home happy with the one point while the Millers were left shaking their heads at a decision that may prove costly at the end of the season.

Millers: Eaton, Holdgate, Brankin, Dignan, Ignotus, Lees, Land, Littler, Wild, Morgan D, Pite, Morgan G, Clarke.
Attendance 150. Special thanks to Match Ball Sponsor Rolf West.

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New Mills Reserves got back on the winning trail with a 5-2 win away at Willows. Danny Thomas set the Millers on their way with a goal after only 19 seconds, and then two a piece from Jason Clarke and Steve Worrall gave New Mills a much needed three points.

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Good Luck Chris
New Mills Youth team lost their unbeaten record away at Morecambe on Sunday, but the result was overshadowed by the terible injury to Millers player Chris Coram, who broke his leg in three places.
Everyone at New Mills Football Club would like to wish Chris all the best and good luck.

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Saturday 8th December

Leaders Beaten As Millers Go Third:
New Mills 2 - Atherton Town 0

Another bumper crowd turned up at Church Lane on Saturday to see NewMills produce some of their best football of the Season as they overcame unbeaten league leaders Atherton Town. With the Millers unchanged from last Saturday's Derbyshire Cup win they went at the leaders right from the start, continually putting the visitors defence under pressure.

Rick Jones finally put the Millers ahead when he calmly rounded the keeper to shoot into the empty net. With their tails up the Millers pressed even harder and after some desperate defending and several near misses, leading scorer Dean Morgan ran on to a lovely through ball from Mickey Brankin to fire home the second. With the home side looking for another goal Atherton were glad to hear the half-time whistle.

A dejected Atherton defence as Rick Jones puts the Millers 1-0 up

New Mills go close during the second half of 2-0 win

After the break the visitors threw on another striker in the hope of getting back into the game, but Barry Eaton in the Millers goal was in top form pulling off three excellent saves, while at the other end Rick Jones and Dean Morgan both rattled the woodwork. A great all round team performance by the Millers with Barry Eaton and Scott Dignan both exceptional. This really was a big result for New Mills and has breathed life back into the championship race, against a side who were unbeaten and had scored in every game this season.

Millers: Eaton, Land, Brankin, Dignan, Ignotus, Lees, Littler, Pite, Jones, Morgan D, Wild, Holdgate, Morgan G, Clarke. Attendance 160. Special thanks to Match Ball Sponsors Astro Exhibitions Ltd.

New Mills Reserves and the Youth team were both called off.

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Saturday 1st December

Holders Move Into Semi's: Boot & Shoe 1 - New Mills 5

New Mills travelled to North Wingfield on Saturday to play Boot & Shoe in the Derbyshire Divisional Cup Quarter Final. On a very heavy pitch the Millers put in a thoroughly professional performance to dispatch their Chesterfield League opponents 5-1.

Although always on top, it took the Millers thirty minutes to open their account when leading scorer Dean Morgan fired into the bottom corner. Deano doubled his and New Mills tally when good pressure forced Millington in the home goal to make a mistake and he fired into an empty net.

New Mills increased their lead shortly after half-time when Dean Morgan completed his second hat-trick of the season. Higgins beat the Millers offside trap to pull one back for the home team, but moments later Stacey Wild cut in from the left and beat the keeper with a rasping drive. Captain Stephen Littler completed the scoring when he finished off a fine move to send New Mills into the last four.

This was a good solid performance by the Millers against a side previously unbeaten this season, and with the squad virtually back to full strength and competition for places hotting up Manager Alan Peatfield must be a happy man.

Millers: Eaton, Land, Brankin, Ignotus, Dignan, Wild, Littler, Pite, Jones, Morgan D 3, Lees, Wilson, Clarke, Dawson.

New Mills Reserves game at Dukinfield and the Youth game at Marine were both casualties of the weather.