Contentious Decision Denies Millers:
New Mills 1 - Irlam MS 1

A tough tie at Church Lane on Saturday, Irlam's recent good form had pushed the visitors near the top of the table, but New Mills fought out an impressively entertaining draw and maybe could have won the game but for a contested disallowed goal on 85 minutes.

Rick Pite added a bit of bite to the heart of Millers' midfield, a smile on his face as he retrieved the ball countless times to supply the home-side's attackers. With eighteen minutes gone Irlam's Steven "korky" Corfield was forced to save deep on his goal-line, however last season's top scorer Dean Morgan opened his account, placing the ball past Irlam's packed defence to give New Mills the lead. Several minutes later an unstoppable thirty-yard free kick tied the game, courtesy of Danny Butters, who was the chief tormentor of the Millers last season. Although Eaton was powerless to prevent such a strike, a save of world-class proportion ensued, showing agility beyond his stature, when Eaton flung himself across goal - Gordon Banks style, to deny a golden opportunity for the visitors as half time approached. A brisk start to the second half; New Mills worked the ball through Irlam's midfield with majestic flair, substitute Craig Hall looked comfortable with the neat passing game on show, striking terror into Irlam's rearguard with cunning trickery. Irlam broke frequently, but Eaton remained in outstanding form throughout. With five minutes left Chris Lees swung in a deep cross onto the head of Ignotus, although the Millers' centre-back clearly got to the ball first, the goal was disallowed for following through on the visitors keeper.

Barry Eaton has ball covered

Millers disallowed winner from Ignotus	'Corky' Corfield denies Deano

As Eaton is not available for this Saturday's FA.VASE match, former favourite Ben Candlin has been given the call up to keep goal at Church Lane. Supporters are reminded that the FA directive is that an admission price of £2.00 for adults and £1.00 for children and OAPs applies for this prestigious event when New Mills AFC take on North Yorkshire's Northallerton Town - KO 3:00pm.
This weeks matchball was kindly sponsored by Kieth McMurray.

New Mills 1 - Dukinfield Town 2

The Millers unfortunate start to the season continued at Church Lane with untimely injuries, suspensions and the loss of Slater, Donnelly and White, has given manager Alan Peatfield the worse possible start imaginable. Mark Hooley's work ethic was the highlight of the night, covering the entire pitch with confident swagger, which can in some small part offer light at the end of the tunnel. The home-side's best chance in the opening half came from Dignan's pinpoint cross to the feet of Stacey Wilde, however Town's keeper Royal smothered the ball before Wilde had chance to react.

Scoreless at half time, until the 52nd minute when Dukinfield drove the ball across the 6-yard box on to Mark Holt's outstretched knee, the ball spinning across the line and eventually over for the goal. Several minutes later Dean Morgan connected with Steve Done's cross, powerfully heading down, but wide of the mark. Ten minutes to go, and the killer blow - Rene Tumini breaking from midfield, rounding Miller's keeper and side-footing home into the empty net. Chris Lees penalty halved the deficit deep into injury time and Morgan's last gasp strike forced Royal to save on his goal-line reinforcing Dukinfield as the Millers bogey team, since the introduction to the premier league last season. Matchball kindly sponsored by Longton's Newsagents.

Millers Attack	Frustration

New Mills Youth 2 - Prestwich Heys Youth 2
Mark Hooley's thunderous header gave the Youth Team a well-deserved lead, but despite covering good ground throughout the first half, it was Prestwich who equalised and took control before the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
New Mills keeper balanced matters up, leaving the contest after handling outside his area, Callum Clarke taking the reigns in goal making a fine save from the resulting free-kick. Prestwich began to buckle under sustained pressure and a second player left the field before Lugsden came on as sub and launched an unstoppable shot to give the home side the result - so richly deserved.

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New Mills Youth team started life in the Premier Division with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Prestwich Heys on Sunday. The Millers took the lead midway through the first half when Mark Hooley headed home a great cross. The Millers could have increased their lead but found themselves 2-1 down at the interval after some sloppy defending.
The second half saw three players receive red cards. First of all the Millers keeper Dave Wild was dismissed for handling outside the box, quickly followed by two Heys players. With time running out a good move was superbly finished off when Kelvin Lugsden fired home a cracker to give the Millers a share of the points.
Finally a word to everyone who turned up on Sunday afternoon and cheered the team on, there can't have been many short of a three figure gate, and your support really helped the team.
- Glyn Jones.

Royton Comfortable Victory: New Mills 1 - Royton Town 4

Minutes silence for Holly & Jessica - Photos by Geoff Potts - Click to enlarge

Royton Town visited New Mills for the first time after gaining promotion last season at their primary attempt. Although the visitors impressive goal-scoring record preceded them, the generosity provided by the home side gave Royton a comfortable victory. The opening spell saw both sides give the ball away far to often, with confident keeping from Eaton needed to keep the Oldham side at bay. Jonathan Philips had the first clear chance for Royton, Craig Hall and Chris Lees responding for New Mills, heading towards goal with Town's keeper proving their equal.

As half-time approached, Rob Overy charged the ball down into no-man's land. No malice was intended as Eaton cleared the ball to safety, but Overy was to play no more part, leaving the field with an unfortunate injury to his knee. Royton's Paul Ashton broke the deadlock on 44 minutes, heading into the gaping net following avicious shot that cannoned off Eaton's chest, as no danger
was apparent.

Watching high ball	All up for the ball

The fate of New Mills was sealed minutes into the second half from Philip's "daisy cutter" into the corner of goal and an own goal to compound the Miller's misery. It 's fair to say that from this point on the Millers fluid teamwork began to bear fruit, Simon Ignotus driving the ball into the roof of the net to cheer the home crowd ,however, as Royton's unyielding defence lured New Mills further
forward, a classic counter strike provided Ashton with another goal to round off a black-and-amber-less day. Matchball kindly sponsored by D&C Satellite.

Royton cross

Eaton punches clear	Fancy footwork	Corner covered

New Mills have an opportunity to redress the balance this Saturday (31/08/02):
NEW MILLS A.F.C v IRLAM MS KICK-OFF 2:30 PM - ALL ARE WELCOME

The reserves succumbed at league leaders Stockport Georgians 5-2, Millers goals by Joe Morrelle and Andy Morrele.

New Mills Res 0 - Prestwich Heys Res 1

An impressive display from New Mills, despite what the scoreline suggests, with many of last-year's youth team showing grit and determination throughout the 90 minutes.
A dubious penalty gifted Prestwich the win, courtesy of Abid Uddin's spot-kick, which otherwise foiled a commanding performance from Chris Reddin in goal. The introduction of Paul Robinson added a new dimension to the Miller's armoury, and once the stikeforce learns to feed off his height, the goals should come in abundance.

Goal-mouth Scramble	Heys 2nd-half Attack

Prestwich Heys 3 - New Mills 2

Prestwich took all the points at Sandgate Road despite leading 2-0 with goals from Steve Done and Stacey Wild. Neil Holdgate was forced to leave the field after 10 minutes of play with a gash to his head which required three stitches at half time.

Youth team lost 1-3 at home to Glossop North End in a friendly. Goodwin scoring the goal

Atherton's Revenge: New Mills 3 - Atherton Town 4

New Mills had high expectations on the opening day of the season after doing the double against Atherton Town in their previous campaign. The visitors however had a different agenda, taking the lead on 18 minutes, courtesy of Ralph`s quickly taken free-kick. Moments later Mike Brown broke through, shrugging off his man marker to place the ball past Town's keeper, using the outside of his trusty left boot to good effect.

Atherton regained the lead with goals from Morris and Christie to give the Lancashire side a commanding 3-1 lead, however James Everall was clattered inside the box with Chris Lees converting from the spot to give the Millers hope leading into the break. 'Inspirational' Stephen Littler The second half saw New Mills getting to grips with Towns rejuvenated midfield, the inspirational Stephen Littler was on fine form throughout the second period which encouraged his team mates to test Atherton's keeper with more frequency. Both sides had chances to score, with the Millers grateful to Eaton in goal, who dived smartly to his left when Town's striker was bearing down and clear on goal. This set the Church Lane faithful up for the grand finale when Brown cut across the 18-yard line and unleashed a ferocious shot directly into the bottom corner to regain parity for the home side. Atherton's strong performance was not to be denied when Steve Crilly`s flying header gave Town the points, although Mike Brown saw two attempts go agonisingly close in the last minute of play. Match ball kindly sponsored by Car Radio Decoding Service.

Miller's Scramble for a Goal

Ball Beats Them All

New Mills 0 - Oldham Athletic 1

New Mills in their new strip for this season - Photo by Geoff Potts

Oldham Athletic

New Mills Reserves kicked off their pre-season programme on 24th July with a fine 4-1 win away at Buxton. Mark Donnelly scoring all four of the goals.

The only blackspot on the day was the unfortunate injury to one of the Alsager players, the match being stopped for over an hour while the ambulance arrived and dealt with the player. Everyone at New Mills wishes him a speedy recovery.