New Mills regained the lead in the fortieth minute, player-of-the-season candidate Steven Land floated a perfect corner kick to the far post where Gibbons lurked with menacing presence, Springheads Stuart Lindley was powerless to deal with the powerful header which would have troubled any keeper at the highest level.

The Millers looked comfortable with the 2-1 scoreline, Mickey Brankin forced Lindley to dive smartly down to his left following the seasoned-defender's 25-yard thunderbolt.

Dean Morgan worked tirelessly throughout, allowing Gibbons the clearest of chances, who was denied his hat-trick on 58 minutes. Substitute Rick Pite lofted the ball along the goal line, where Gibbons rose high above Lindley to head into the gaping net. To the disbelief of all around the referee disallowed his goal which surely would have inspired a well earned victory.

Although the Millers continued to threaten, the game swung in Springhead's favour when Eaton palmed the ball onto his post, the ball bounced off Ignotus into the goal gifting the visitors a second equaliser.

Stephen Littler blocked at a crucial time for New Mills and Eaton's form forced his opponent to shoot wide, however, the tie was clinched nine minutes from time when McNamara twisted and turned to find the bottom corner through a packed goal mouth.

The "rub of the green" seems to have deserted Alan Peatfield's team this season, but once the players take this into account and put their chances away then any team that comes across New Mills will find it very difficult to break down a group of players who are playing attractive football at a very good level.

Match ball kindly sponsored by Derek's Gentlemen's Hairdressers.

Comeback Kid Saves The Day:
New Mills Reserves 3 - Elton Vale Reserves 2

This game really should have been sewn up by half time with the numerous goal attempts that were created, squandered in front of the visitors goal.

Stephen Done's composure made the difference midway through the opening spell, driving the ball home using the outside of his right boot to good effect. Danny Thomas spread the ball to Kelvin Lugsden who shot towards the top corner, but the agility of Vale's keeper was equal to his ferocious drive. Millers' strike force poured through in great numbers allowing Rick Boston to shoot with such force that the ball cannoned back to Lugsden who headed into the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for an earlier offside infringement, keeping the score tight leading into the interval.

New Mills continued to create many chances in the second half, but struggled to deal the killer blow. A defensive error gifted Elton an equaliser, but moments later Rick Adrio finally put his chance away, his first shot produced a magnificent save, but his determined side-foot regained the lead for the home side.

Andy Hackney was introduced to warm applause from the Church Lane faithful. Having missed two seasons due to torn ligaments, the young striker quickly started to trouble Elton's back line, however parity was regained when the visitors equalised a second time putting the game on a knife edge.

New Mills secured their first home win of the season at the sixth atempt, when they defeated bogey side Elton Vale. Vale, who have changed their name from Elton Fold, beat the Millers three times last season, but in a closely contested first half it was the Millers who created the better chances, with new striker Wes Gibbons going the closest, however, his first touch took the ball to close to the keeper.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, the Millers had a lot more possesion and after Gibbons and Morgan had both gone close, Stacey Wild broke the deadlock when he cut in from the left and fired the home side in front.
New Mills missed a couple of chances to double the lead and they were made to pay when Derek Watson scored after a defensive mistake.

To their credit the Millers continued to battle and Gibbons got the goal he deserved when he headed home Stacey Wild's excellent cross to take all three points.

This was a much needed home win for Alan Peatfield's men, who hopefully can now start to climb the table.
Millers: Eaton, Holdgate, Lees, Morgan G, Ignotus, Massey, Land, Littler, Morgan D, Gibbons, Wild, Pite.