Millers New Year Blues: New Mills 0 - East Mancheter 3

Composed, decisive and well organised were some of the attributes flowing through this East Manchester side who despite propping up the Air Miles Manchester premier division, adapted to the heavy conditions with unyielding verve to earn only their second win in this season's campaign.

The lead was taken with 14 minutes on the clock, Darren Lyons lofted the ball across from distance which dropped in at the far post, reminiscent of the ill-fated Brazilian goal that knocked England out of the World Cup finals.

Ben Candlin in Action

Steven Land and Ben Candlin combined well to deter the visitors while at the other end Rick Pite curled the ball towards goal forcing Dean Osbourne to palm the ball onto his crossbar. Wes Gibbons tested Osbourne from close range, who produced another fine save to deny. New Mills had other chances throughout the first period, but as Chris Stanley marshalled his defence efficiently the back of Manchester's net remained elusive.

Wes Gibbons	The Millers best chance came moments later when Wes Gibbons took the ball on from the halfway line, cut inside his marker to unleash a powerful drive which stung Osbourne's fingertips as he	Simon Ignotus
guided the ball over the crossbar to safety. The introduction of the talented Mark Donnelly added a new dimension to Miller's attacking options, but East Manchester defended in great numbers spreading the ball down to Scott Holt who nutmegged Candlin to take pole position in front of the gaping net, however Steven Land's lightening pace proved to be his equal.

The home side made other goal line clearances, but Darren Green added his name to the scoresheet, Candlin and Green collided on the edge of the box and as both players lay motionless on the floor, the ball bobbled into the back of the goal to secure the points and lift the visitors from the foot of the table.

MILLERS: Candlin, Brankin, Everall, Land, Ignotus, Pite, Littler, Lees, Wild, D Morgan, Gibbons SUBS: Donnelly, G Morgan, Holdgate.

First Team Win Again: New Mills 3 - Stockport Geogians 2

New Mills pulled off a tremendous win at Stockport Georgians (last seasons champions) by three goals to two. Steven Land gave the Millers the lead with a cracking shot before Stacey Wild added a second. Georgians to their credit fought back to pull the scores level, and put the Millers under a lot of pressure as they pressed for a winner, but it was New Mills who grabbed the winner through an own goal.

Paddy Littler Fights for Ball

Stockport Georgians Keeper Foils Attack (870k)	-VIDEO CLIPS-	Wes Gibbons & Paddy Littler (610k)

Stacey Wild

Stacey & Paddy Fight for Ball

Wes Gibbons

but Open Trophy Holders Go Out

Open Trophy holders New Mills Reserves always knew they would be in for a tough afternoon against current unbeaten league leaders Wilmslow Albion, and after less than a minute the visitors were in front. To their credit the Millers came back and Stephen Done netted the equaliserr after good work from Danny Thomas. However, after the break the visitors pushed New Mills back and two late goals saw them home 3-1.

Millers Christmas Miracle: New Mills AFC 4 - Leigh Athletic 3

The loss of 3 key players placed a heavy burden on the home side's team sheet at Church Lane on Saturday, but Miller's boss Alan Peatfield had his very own "three wise men" for this fabulous festive thriller - Ben Candlin (pictured right with Paddy Littler, scorer of Millers 1st goal ) took the reigns in goal, James Everall and Danny Slater travelled east from the USA to compete and despite suffering from jet lag gave creditable performances, as did the entire Millers team.

Candlin's exceptional goalkicks proved problematic for Leigh throughout the afternoon. Wes Gibbons soon realised how much joy there was to be gained from kicks of such magnitude, but his first chip skewered wide of the mark. Slater's audacious lob beat Cooper in Latics' goal, but the crossbar denied his fine effort.

An offside decision repelled Gibbons endeavour on the six-yard line, while staunch defending by Steven Land deterred Latics' free kick, but with 20 minutes gone and against the run of play, the visitors took the lead, Gordon Walker ran into the box unchallenged and powered the ball into the back of the net.

It's fair to say that the Lancashire side took control of the remainder of the first half, and although New Mills had an iron-clad penalty turned down, Leigh had the best chances. Candlin lost the ball to give his opponent a shot at the open goal, but moments later Candlin atoned for his prior misdemeanour and saved The Millers blushes when one-on-one with his opponent. But ten minutes before the break Danny Wilson increased the lead, his low drive deceived en-route to goal.

What followed throughout the second half can only be described as miraculous. From the kick off Stacey Wilde weaved his way through Latics' defence and crossed over to Stephen Littler who bravely headed home with just 20 seconds gone on the referee's watch. Dean Morgan turned on a dime, putting Gibbons through, who shot toward the bottom corner but Cooper's right boot diverted the ball away for a corner kick. Chris Lees quality in deadball situations allowed Morgan to end his baron goal-scoring exploits and how his fine header lifted his team mates. Stacey Wilde hit the post, Morgan unable to steer the rebound home, but cometh the hour cometh the man, Morgan's insatiable free kick found Gibbons head to give New Mills a well-earned lead, but Leigh always looked capable of scoring and another goal would be required. Chris Cooper's right boot foiled Gibbons for a second time but another well-taken corner kick found Record Breaker Gibbons who scored Miller's fourth headed goal bringing his incredible tally up to 13 from his 9 starts. With 25 minutes to play Danny Wilson reduced the arrears, heading in from a good deep cross and as the game flowed from end to end Stephen Land capped a fine personal performance by clearing off his line, Leigh's keeper Chris Cooper saved for a third time with his trusty right boot to keep the score down. Millers in Control: Candlin, Brankin, Land, Everall, Slater, Littler, Lees, Massey, D Morgan, Wilde, Gibbons 2, SUB: Worrall (not played)

Chris Lees - Quality Wes Gibbons Header

The Reserves fell 5-1 at East Manchester, Rick Adrio netting Millers solitary goal.

New Mills Under 18s got back to winning ways with a fine 3-1 away at Prestwich Heys. Kieron Lugsden opended the scoring from the spot, before further goals from Alex Harkawenko and Mark Hooley wrapped up the three points. Prestwich scored a late consolation but the result was never in any doubt as New Mills played some excellent football

Festive Cheer Absent In Church Lane Mayhem:
New Mills AFC 3 - Willows 3

This Match descended into mayhem 6 minutes from time. Questions have to asked on how a member of Willows bench was allowed to assault one of the New Mills players, when the referee had already dismissed him from the touchline for constantly barracking the referee's assistant throughout the game. The Salford side had already been comprehensively beaten at Agecroft road by four goals to nil, but the Millers were dealt a cruel blow moments before kick off when keeper Barry Eaton fell awkwardly and could not compete, forcing midfielder Richard Pite to take over the reigns for New Mills in goal (shown right, with Willows keeper Joe Perry in a borrowed Millers shirt).

Willows very first attack exposed the home-side's plight, Chris Wilde scored with ease following Holdgate's untimely slip with 5 minutes on the clock. A move started by Simon Ignotus lead to an equaliser, Stacey Wilde sprayed the ball over to the tireless Dean Morgan, whose instinctive back header forced Joe Perry to tip wide, but record breaker Wes Gibbons increased his incredible goal tally to 11 from his 8 matches by heading the ball home at the far post.

Goal Scorer Wes Gibbons - 11 goals in 8 matches

Gibbons & Perry

Holdgate tried his luck from afar, his effort dipped viciously but just over the bar. However, an awfull defensive mix up allowed Turner to place the ball past Pite for a second Willows goal. Stacey Wild regaining parity for the Millers, driving the ball into the bottom right, Ignotus instrumental in the build up for a second time.

Stacey Wild slots in Millers Second Goal

As the Referee blew for half time Gibbons scored another, but not only did the net bulge after the Ref's whistle, his effort was adjudged to have been off side.

Although the match was often niggly, the Millers tried to play the most attractive football. Dean Morgan's glancing header drifted wide and Perry in Willows' goal made some excellent saves to repel the endeavour of Wilde and Gibbons. But 10 minutes from time John Pearson scored Willows third goal of the tie.

Gary Morgan converted a penalty to ensure a share of the spoils, but absolute chaos ensued as the game drew to it 's conclusion, several players became embroiled in skirmishes and the game stopped until common sense prevailed. Once the match restarted, Chris Lees drilled the direct free kick into the box, Stacey Wilde fired the ball straight at Perry who pulled off an outstanding save and the resulting corner kick forced a last-ditch goal-line clearance, but the previous antics on the pitch had somewhat detracted from what was up until that point, a fairly descent match despite having no choice goalkeeper available.

Skirmish

Millers Final Push

MILLERS: Pite (gk), Holdgate, G Morgan, Ignotus, Brankin, Land, Littler, Massey, Wilde, D Morgan, Gibbons SUBS: Lees, McCarthey.

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The Reserves beat Wythenshaw Amateurs 2-1, goals from Danny Thomas and Stephen Bates.