Saturday 19th February
Millers Lose Narrowly at Leaders: Winsford United 1 - New Mills AFC 0

The prospect of facing current league leaders Winsford United was on paper perhaps a daunting task for New Mills on Saturday. But to their credit they put in a solid performance, which on any other day would have brought them at least a share of the spoils.

The team were dealt a double blow in the pre-match warm up when regular goalkeeper Steven Lyons and defence stalwart Stephen "Paddy" Littler both failed fitness tests. Fortunately teenage goalkeeper Adam Hughes (seen right and below) had travelled to Winsford and he stepped in for his first team debut. The home side elected to play with the strong wind behind them in the first period and they went ahead on just 6 minutes courtesy of Dave Chambers, who struck after Hughes had failed to safely gather the ball. They then proceeded to bombard the Millers goalmouth with a succession of high balls mainly from the tremendously long Chris Hutchinson throw-ins they were able to propel into the box. Gradually the Millers settled down and the United attacks became less of a problem.

Hughes looked competent in goal and was not troubled as the visitors decided to hang on until the break, and use the wind in their favour in the second 45 minutes.

Adam Hughes rises for high ball

This tactic worked a treat, and after the break it was the men in black and amber who began to take control of the game. A number of half chances were created and then in the space of five minutes they created two of the best ones with Wild surging through and with only the opposing keeper to beat he hesitated and the ball was taken away just as he prepared to slot it home. Then after a good build up down the left hand side Kelvin Lugsden hit a thumping volley which flew just past the upright.

Winsford keeper in action

Bomber Blackburn slots ball round defender

As the game went into the added time Craig Hall tried a real opportunistic strike from a full 35 yards to which the Winsford custodian pulled off a brilliant save. The Millers are a very young side, as pointed out by the Cheshire side's faithful, and this season is a learning curve for them. The Barton Stadium regulars greeted the final whistle with a huge sigh of relief. The players from the High Peak will be disappointed that they lost and will look forward with some confidence to the return match when played at Church Lane later in the season. They will also be looking forward to entertaining Leek CSOB on Tuesday evening at home. The Reserve team maintained their position at the top of the League with a 1-0 win over Colne thanks to a Danny Shackleton goal. This weekend they travel to Bacup Borough for a Trophy game.

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Saturday 5th February
Millers Earn A Point: Darwen 0 - New Mills AFC 0

The Millers visited the Anchor Ground on Saturday in Darwen and came away with a share of the spoils. The all round performance was good, and with a bit of luck they could easily have taken all three points which on offer. The men in black and amber were forced to make one change from the previous week's line up, because Joel Eckinolegni was working which mean’t a recall for Craig Senior.

It was the visitors who started the better, and spent the first quarter camped in their opponents half. Although the approach play was good, there were few chances created. The home side relied on the break away, which was easily dealt with by the New Mills defenders.

The second half produced he best spell of attacking for the Millers and they went close on a number of occasions with Stacey Wild having the best of the chances, but his shot went wide.
Gradually Darwen began to put some good passing moves together, but the best of these was brilliantly saved by Steven Lyons. It was always going to be one of those games in which one goal would win it, but sadly for the Millers they did not take their chances.

Overall, this was a solid performance where they seldom looked in any kind of trouble with a resolute defence. The management were especially pleased to keep a second successive clean sheet and the point keeps them around the middle of the table.

NEW MILLS: Lyons, Radford A, Lester, Littler, Radford R, Lugsden, Hobdey, Hunter, Blackburn, Wild, Senior SUBS: Hall, Jones

On Saturday the Millers will again be travelling when they visit Norton in Staffordshire. The Reserve team will be at home when they entertain Skelmersdale in a Trophy game. The game kicks off at 3 pm. Last Saturday a goal by Stephen Done earned them a 1-1 draw at Squire's Gate to keep them at the top of the league table.