New Mills faced top-of-division Kingsley United at Church Lane after 5 weeks without a game. But the Millers were not fazed and took the game to Kingsley, not giving them any time on the ball and working hard for each other, created the better chances in the first half which ended 0-0.

In the second half the Millers came out positive and very determined to win the game and had Kingsley on the back foot. From a throw-in mid-way through the second half the ball was flicked on by Lugsden (see photo right) and Danny Hall (on as a sub), headed the ball in at the back post to put the Millers in the lead.

Kingsley attacked but a strong New Mills defence and Dave Wilde in goal kept them out until the last minute of the game when the linesman adjudged the ball had crossed the line beneath the keeper making the final score 1-1.

It was a brilliant all-round team performance by the Millers.
Millers Men of the Match were Craig Scott and Kelvin Lugsden.

Prestwich took the lead on 18 minutes, a decent ball from the left found Abbid Uddin free to head downwards, Ben Candlin got a good strong hand to deflect, but would have felt disappointment as the ball crept in off the post.

Buckley's vision and distribution impressed, but with only half-an-hour gone, Jonathan Lyons converted a penalty kick to give Prestwich some breathing space.

The action continued thick and fast, Candlin for New Mills smothered the ball heroically and unleashed an awesome kick down field, Millers top scorer - Wes Gibbons broke free from his marker to score a fine goal, but the referee disallowed his effort, citing an earlier infringement.

During the second half, Steven Land cleared off his line as Prestwich forced the issue, but the introduction of Dean Morgan midway through instilled a sense of urgency in Millers attacking options while Simon Ignotus at the back often excelled as New Mills became stretched.

The Miller's doubled the advantage minutes later, James McCarthy broke through the visitors midfield and found Thomas in a good position to strike, his low drive across the face of goal was too hot for Breightmet's Little, who parried the shot into the path of Lugsden, the gaping net too inviting to pass up on.

As half-time approached the visitors had a great chance to pull one back, but the net remained elusive, and 5 minutes after the break splendid positional play from Danny Thomas found only the opposing keeper between himself and the goal, Little closed down the angle but Thomas picked his spot to score a cracker.

Breightmet had a good spell and pulled a goal back, Andy Hicks heading in from a flag kick, but the Millers onslaught continued when a stunning volley from the rampant Thomas, brought the best out of Ian Little in goal, however a deft flick from Thomas found Keiran Lugsden who clipped the ball in while under pressure.

The Miller's Dave Wilde made a great point-blank save, and in the last minute McCarthy's exceptional cross allowed Lugsden a chance for his hat-trick, alas Little picked off his glancing header, threw the ball back into play, the visitors breezed through Millers defence and scored a very soft goal to reduce the arrears.

MILLERS: Wild, Hope, Lugsden (Kelvin), Robinson, Dixon, Hooley, Thomas, Boston, Lugsden 2 (Keiran), Done, McCarthy. SUBS: McDonald, Hackney.

Keiran Lugsden Side-Foots Home for Millers 2nd

Keiran Lugsden's 2nd Goal

Lugsden's Glancing Header Saved by Ian Little

With many games once again falling to the weather, New Mills reserves travelled to Elton Vale, and on a pefect pitch they produced possible their best perfomance of the season. Although goalless at the interval, both sides had chances, Danny Thomas going close for the Millers and Dave Wild in the visitors goal pulling off a couple of good saves.

However, after the break the young Millers took control after Danny Thomas scored within minutes of the restart. Stephen Done, who had tormented the home defence throughout helped himself to a couple of goals, one a real cracker, when he hammered the ball home. Rick Boston scored the Millers other goal.

This was a great team performance by the Millers with every player contributing, but special mention to Ian Hope who had an outstanding debut. Well done to all.

The second half saw New Mills extend their lead after Stephen Done's great run and finish. Monton with nothing to lose pushed forward and Hardman pulled one back.

James McCarthy who was having an excellent game almost got the Millers fourth when running from his own half he beat the offside only to be foiled by a smart save from Johnson in the visitors goal.

Monton got right back in the game thanks to a Barlow penalty. And despite more good keeping from Wild, with time running out they eventually snatched a late equaliser.

New Mills: Wild, Stansfield, Lugsden Ke, Robinson, Dixon, Hooley, Thomas, Boston, Lugsden, Done, McCarthy. Hackney, Clarke C.