Sunday 30th March  

New Mills Youth 5 - Altrincham 4  (Report: Alex Harkawenko, Photos: Geoff Potts)

New Mills took the points in a 9-goal thriller with a fantastic battling performance against an Altrincham side who have players involved in their senior set up.

The Millers went one nil down within 2 minutes, but stand-in forward, Dan Hall, smashed the ball home to equalise. Alts scored again but left-back Kelvin Lugsden popped up to make it 2-2. Great work by Jackson and Adam in midfield enabled Prodromis to score, lobbing the keeper from outside the box for New Mills to lead 3-2 at half time.
Millers 4th Goal	Dan Hall Tussle for Possession	Tom Read Outjumps Millers Attackers

K Lugsden Shoots

It was New Mills who scored early in the second half, Chris Coram making the break with a pass to Kelvin Lugsden, whose 20-yarder made it 4-2. Altrincham pressed New Mills and scored but this time Keiran Lugsden found the net to put the Millers 5-3 up. Scott, Stansfield and Kelly defended brilliantly but the pressure told and Alts scored with minutes remaining. Wilde in goal made three class saves throughout the game to earn New Mills a well-deserved win. Men of the Match - Keiran Lugsden and Dave Kelly.

Millers Attack - Dan Jackson in the thick of the action - Click to Enlarge

See also the report from the Altrincham perspective on their excellent website.

Saturday 29th March  (Photos: Geoff Potts)

Title Hopes Dashed by Assured Candlin Handlin:
New Mills 0 - Wythenshawe 0

Wythenshaw are still 11 points clear of Irlam and the chasing pack, but New Mills proved to be a thorn in their side in the quest for the premier league title. Paul Turner in Ammies goal was pressured early on. Stephen Land's excellent free kicks found Gary Morgan lurking menacingly (shown right), however Turner proved to be his equal. With 20 minutes gone the league-leaders were forced to toe-poke the ball to safety as Wes Gibbons was poised to strike. The resulting corner kick allowed Morgan to head towards goal, but Turner was in no mood to relinquish the lead.

Chris Lees sent a pacey through-ball down to Dean Morgan, who stabbed the ball towards his target, Turner had closed the angle down well enough to deny. Stephen Littler found himself in front of Turner midway through the half, his point-blank half-volley forced Turner to save smartly for what was the home side's best chance of the half. While at the other end assured handling by Ben Candlin helped to deter Wythenshawe's efforts to keep the score goal-less during the break.

Ben Candlin impressed throughout. Has Candlin's Handling dashed Ammies title hopes ?

The second half continued in much the same vein. Turner had to think quick once he found himself outside his box, by heading away. Candlin spread himself across his goal from Ammies ferocious drive. Stephen Littler and Simon Ignotus were in outstanding form, and had to be as Ammies started to turn the screws. Midway through the second period Ammies' Stephen Preston had a powerful header directed at goal, which wasn't far above the crossbar. Millers substitute Stephen Done spread a delightful ball over to Stacey Wilde (shown right) for a golden opportunity, Wilde was under pressure but stumbled as he was poised to shoot. Wythenshaw swung a vicious cross into the box which took a dreadful deflection off a New Mills player, as the ball headed towards Candlin's goal, a save of immense agility not only ensured a share of the spoils but also reinforced Candlin's credentials as Millers number one keeper for many years to come.

To the untrained eye, the scoreline suggests an uneventful game of football, but New Mills have taken 4 points off the League leaders now and this will hold them in good stead for the remaining fixtures ahead.

Millers: Candlin, Holdgate, Morgan G, Ignotus, Brankin, Land, Littler, Lees, Wilde, Morgan D, Gibbons Sub: Done.

Saturday 22nd March  (Photos: Geoff Potts)

Millers second string orchestrate Irlam's downfall:
New Mills Res 3 - Irlam MS Res 0

Irlam Mitchell Shackleton were the visitors and almost scored from the kick off, breezing down the wing unchallenged but shooting wide of Millers goal. New Mills responded 18 minutes in, Keiran Lugsden's deft flick allowed James McCarthy to pounce as Irlam's hesitancy got the better of them.

James McCarthy - Millers Goal 1

Dean Welsh showed great composure in midfield sending the ball through to Stephen Done who side-stepped his marker to shoot; Irlam's keeper Nick Parker was in a good position to deal. Hackney and Done combined well on the edge of the box allowing Hackney his chance, the instinctive snapshot just sailing over. Millers keeper Dave Wilde was rarely troubled in the first half, the Boston and Bailey partnership subdued Irlam's attack with an effective almost arrogant display. During the second period the visitors staunchly appealed for a penalty kick. The referee turned their appeals down flat and as play continued Kevin Callahan resumed his protest to the ref's disdain, a red card was the consequence.

<Rick Adrio -  ^Andy Gibbling Pressures Nick Parker

Stephen Done - Millers Goal 2

Irlam's goal scoring opportunities could be counted on one hand, as the 10 men began to fade, silky skills from Keiran Lugsden earned Stephen Done his chance to shoot, Parker in goal was powerless to prevent Doney as he picked his spot to fire the ball into the back of Irlam's net.

Rick Boston stormed forward at will supplying McCarthy on the left wing, his first touch a little strong but the young man with pace in abundance still managed to get his shot away which beat Parker but dipped viciously over the crossbar. Irlam conceded a direct free kick on 77 minutes, Rick Adrio weighed up his options then skimmed the ball around the wall to bulge Irlam's net for the third time. Adrio squared a perfectly weighted ball over to Keiran Lugsden who chose power over precision, the latter surely would have added his name to the score sheet.

Rick Adrio - Millers Goal 3

A comfortable victory despite the home side firing on all cylinders. From afar Irlam's penalty appeals may have seemed credible at a crucial stage of the game, but players need to control their emotions on the field, after all, the referee's decisions are always final, if not always correct.

MILLERS: Wilde, Lugsden KL, Hope, Bailey, Boston, Welsh, Hackney, Thomas, Done, Lugsden KR, McCarthy SUBS: Dixon, Adrio, Gibbling.

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The 1st Team visited Rochdale Sacred Heart where they shared six goals, Stacey Wilde helped himself to a brace and a Dean Morgan goal helped to earn the point.

Sunday 23rd March  (Photos: Geoff Potts)

Youth Team 1 - Ashton Athletic 4

Ashton's keeper stood no chance against Keiran's wonder strike	Harkawenko jostles for possesion - Click to Enlarge

Keeper handles outside the box to give Millers a direct free kick

Callum Clarke shaved the upright from a ferocious dead ball kick

Sunday 16th March  

Morcambe Youth 2 - New Mills Youth 2

The home side took the lead on 14 minutes, the ball fell kindly to Geoff Crossly who picked his spot while New Mills chased back. However, moments later a deep free kick from Kelvin Lugsden bounced off the firm ground, Danny Thomas in a good position to nod the ball over the outstretched fingertips of Barry Higson in Morecambe's goal. Ian Hope had a blinding match, but as half time loomed Crossley scored his second, poaching the ball along the six-yard line to regain the lead for the Lancashire side.

New Mills began to create more and more chances as the second half progressed and midway through the endevour of Chris Prodromis paid off when chasing what seemed to be a lost cause, Prodromis made up good ground to float the ball in from the byeline. Keiran Lugsden controlled the ball effectively to supply Kelvin Lugsden who drilled the ball low and hard into the back of Higson's net.

Prodromis could have nicked it for the Millers, his venemous shot from the edge of the box brought the best out of Higson, another shot from the man of the match was blocked en-route to goal. Morecambe were reduced to 10 men. Despite this they finished the game strongly, but a mixture of good goalkeeping from Scott Mills and staunch defending from Millers back line kept honours even against their lively opponents.

Saturday 15th March  (Photos: Geoff Potts)

Reserves' Late Comeback Worth The Wait:
New Mills Res 3 - Springhead Res 1

Two changes to Scott Moore's impressive line up, Andy Gibbling took the left back position while former Wilmslow player Dean Welsh slotted into midfield.

The first half was fairly quiet with chances few and far between. Although Stephen Done came close, his delicate chip had beat Springhead's Dave Cullington in goal but dropped too late to make a difference. Keiran Lugsden stormed in to shoot, but a strong challenge left him on the floor clutching his shin. Play continued on regardless, a decent cross to the far post found Kelvin Lugsden making up good ground, who headed firmly but wide. Andy Hackney looked comfortable with his close ball-control, but despite numerous defensive errors from the visitors, the score remained goal less at half time. Cullington for Springhead picked the ball up that had been passed back giving New Mills a direct free kick which was struck with venom but wide. The home support were growing impatient and thoughts of a nil-nil scoreline echoed around Church Lane. However, with 55 mins gone a dubious penalty decision gifted the lead to the visitors, Danny Kinder gratefully finding the top corner for the Oldham side. But their joy was short lived when debutante Dean Welsh regained parity for the Millers, which although it was far from goal of the season candidate, seemed justified.

Stephen Done Beats his Marker David Bailey Gets High Ball

Millers' Opening Goal by Debutante Dean Welsh

New Mills pushed on, the infamous corner kicking ability of Danny Thomas (shown right) tested Cullington to his limits. Stephen Done showed some sparkle down the wing, nutmegging his opponent to supply McCarthy a shooting chance. The introduction of Rick Adrio started to have the desired effect, his first cross forced Cullington to save once Beswick for Springhead directed the ball towards his own goal and Adrio's deft flicks allowed New Mills more space up front throughout. With 10 minutes remaining Springhead's offside trap back-fired - an exceptional cross from deep found Thomas free to head the ball down to Keiran Lugsden who adjusted his stance in an instant and drilled the ball into the back of the net. Danny Thomas (seen right) found himself one-on-one with Cullington, who challenged Millers rapid wingman, Thomas emerged victorious and casually stroked the ball home to complete the scoring and to round off a tremendous fight back.

NEW MILLS: Wilde, Lugsden KL, Gibbling, Bailey, Boston, Welsh, Hackney, Thomas, Done, Lugsden KR, McCarthey SUBS: Hope, Adrio, Goodwin.

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Another Spirited comeback from the 1st team secured a 2-0 win over Atherton Town at Howe Bridge, The Millers were reduced to 10 men during the first half. Ben Candlin saved Atherton's Penalty kick to keep the goal line scoreless at half time. Goals from Stephen Littler and Wes Gibbons secured another away win.

Saturday 1st March  (Photos: Geoff Potts)

Millers Double Whammy: New Mills Res 0 - Dukinfield Town Res 2

Dukinfield Town were the visitors to Church Lane for this Division 2 encounter, a strong agile side, who soaked up Millers pressure to counter-attack throughout.

Daley Rothwell usually plays well when visiting Derbyshire and proved no exception on this day, his innocuous drive across the 6 yard box gave Dukinfield the lead with only 10 minutes on the clock. Good work by McCarthy and Done on the left wing allowed Keiran Lugsden to volley at goal, but Merson in goal for Town was well positioned to deal.

The remainder of the first half was evenly contested, David Bailey made his return to New Mills count with an accomplished performance, Stephen McDonald stepped in as right back and excelled throughout, likewise Town's Matt Taylor went about his duty efficiently to keep the scoreline tight at the interval.

David Bailey heads clear on his return to Church Lane - Click for larger version

Not to be outdone by his co-defenders, Greg Dixon made a number of last ditch clearances to give New Mills hope. Keiran Lugsden's overhead kick was dealt with comfortably while at the other end, Dave Wilde in Millers' goal saved Town's venomous free-kick and smothered the rebound to deny. Matt Minshall's free header wasn't far above the crossbar and could have sealed it for the visitors, while a late goalmouth scramble ensued from Lugsdens forcefull header which troubled Merson in goal for Dukinfield, Ben Hall stormed in to shoot, the ball drifting wide to the visitors relief.

'Sparky' Goodwin Foils Attack

Carl Hipkin scored Towns second on 87 minutes, and in the last minute the Millers conceded a penalty - Daley Rothwell stepped up, attempting to cap a fine performance, his shot was struck fiercely and true, but Wilde stood his ground to deflect and Rothwell fired over the bar, the final whistle soon followed.

New Mills: Wilde, McDonald, Lugsden KL, Bailey, Dixon, Goodwin, Thomas, Hackney, Done, Lugsden KR, McCarthy. SUBS: Boston, Hall, Adrio.

Town Keeper Blocks Shot	Town Keeper Comes Out to Adrio

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The 1st Team travelled to free-scoring Royton Town. The Oldham side took a 3-goal lead, but Millers Gary Morgan converted a penalty and Stephen Littler pegged it back to 3-2. The home side increased their lead scoring another 3 until Matt Buckley and Dean Morgan completed the afternoon's entertainment - final score Royton Town 6 - New Mills AFC 4.

The Independent New Mills AFC Forum has attracted a lot of attention. Former midfield legend, Andy Greenwood has been in touch to confirm that he will travel from Australia to visit at the end of March, while James Everall and Danny Slater, on American Scholarships also confirmed they will be available for selection (if required) in Millers Derby Match on Saturday.