Saturday 25th September
New Mills Res 3 - Chadderton Res 0

New Mills Reserves warmed up for their Derbyshire Divisional Cup tie against Dove Holes with a resounding win over Chadderton. Millers second string have drawn one game and won another six to remain unbeaten at the top of the North West Counties Reserve Division.

Many Players were rested, giving Ashley Jones his full league debut at the expense of brother Bradley. Two minutes had passed before Chadderton's net was bulging, the keeper spilled a ferocious shot, with Jones showing good reflexes to punish the visitors.

Craig Senior continued his prolific scoring spree and opened his account 15 minutes in, a ball over the top found Senior on the edge of the box, a couple of defenders trailed in his wake before his shot doubled Miller's advantage.

Kelvin Lugsden saw his long-range effort skim the crossbar and the visitors were also forced to clear from the line as Millers pressed for more. 2-0 at the break although that score line could have easily been doubled.

The home side upped the tempo throughout the second period, but Craig Senior's strike on the hour was to be the last of the game. New Mills dominated the second half with neat incisive passing, Ben Candlin was rarely troubled in goal and Millers defence looked as sturdy as ever.

A local derby for Millers Second String when they entertain Dove Holes in the Derbyshire Cup 1st round, kick off is at 2:15 pm and this game will be a cracker.

Saturday 25th September
Seaside Success for Millers: Blackpool Mechanics 0 - New Mills AFC 2

New Mills started to get back to business at the weekend with a stunning performance against Blackpool Mechanics. The match kicked off in very blustery conditions in the seaside town, after 20mins Rob Green scored a magnificent 50-yard wind-assisted screamer to make it 1-0.

Half time came and the Millers kicked off the second half and a lovely through ball found Adam Blackburn who chipped the ball of the seaside's keeper and it was 2-0. After that Stephen Lyons kept the Millers in the game with a 'man of the match' performance in goal, he pulled off a series of brilliant saves. Blackpool Mechanics kept putting on the pressure, but it wasn't good enough to change the final score line.

Next week New Mills will entertain Darwen in the 1st Round of the League Challenge Cup kick off at 3pm, let's hope the Millers can show more "Bouncebackability" and carry on winning ways in this fixture. The second team travel to Dove Holes on Saturday in the Derbyshire Cup.
Would supporters please note that the Darwen cup tie is All Pay.

Having comprehensively beaten Padiham 5-2 at the Arbories Memorial Sports ground, the Church Lane faithful were full of hope of a league double over the visitors. Kelvin Lugsden had Millers best chance during the 1st half with a shot from outside the box. Gavin

Hunter also offered some threat with his jinxing runs, but Padiham defended well and a lack lustre forty five ended goal-less. New Mills stepped up a gear after the break and saw two good chances go begging, for long periods the game looked like it would end 0-0, but a long range effort gave the visitors the lead with 63 minutes gone. The game turned shortly after, when Padiham had two players red-carded for infringements inside the box. Some gamesmanship then ensued before Stephen Done was allowed to take his penalty, duly dispatched into the bottom corner. Chris Prodromis and Dan Thomas were introduced from the bench, but the visitors dug their heels in, slowing the game at every opportunity. The points were secure 10 minutes from time, not only did Alex Radford win the ball single handedly, the gifted right-back ran straight at Padiham's keeper to drive the ball past him.

Alex Radford - gifted right-back scorer

A local Derby for Miller's second string this coming Saturday when Chadderton will visit Church Lane, kick off is at 3pm, and all are welcome.

Saturday 18th September
Millers Well Beaten: Eccleshall 5 - New Mills AFC 0

New Mills travelled down into Staffordshire on Saturday, and for 45 minutes it looked as though they might come away with something after an even opening spell.

However, as the game went into the third minute of first-half stoppage time, a poor decision from the officials allowed the home side to take the lead. A corner was swung in from the right and an Eccleshall forward pushed Stacey Wild into the on coming cross to deflect the ball past Steve Lyons into the net. It was a clear foul and obviously upset the Millers who left the middle shaking their heads in disbelief.

Any thoughts of a come-back were quickly dispelled when centre-forward Wayne Glover doubled the score five minutes after the interval. The Millers now began to get on top and after hitting the post they had good chances through Wild and Ignotus. There then followed two red cards for New Mills with Chris Pickering picking up a second yellow card and a few minutes later Gary Morgan was also sent from the field of play. Karl Williams added a third on 78 minutes and using the two man advantage to maximum effect Paul Griffiths added two more in the closing three minutes.

In a game, which promised so much shortly before the break, it was a disappointing show from New Mills in the second period. They will have to pick themselves up this Saturday when they travel to Blackpool to visit Blackpool Mechanics who have yet to register a win. The Millers will be buoyed on with an expected big travelling support.

Miller's second string created quite a few chances during the first half, Craig Senior lunged at a Stephen Done cross but the ball was guided out of harms way. Brad Jones drove the ball across goal but Sielski stole the ball from Doni's grasp. A decent cross from Alex Radford encouraged Jones to shoot once Senior had chested the ball down into his path, the ball dipped viciously but inches over the crossbar. While at the other end, Kelvin Lugsden made a miraculous double block to deter Squires Gate intent and goal-less it remained leading into the break.

Brad Jones (seen right) almost scored from the kick-off with a vicious drive, but Sielski continued his fine form to block. New Mills were made to suffer for their missed chances when on the hour, a Philip Morris free kick sailed into the top corner, the Blackpool side in raptures, and Miller's unbeaten record in jeopardy. The visitors joy was short-lived when Craig Senior pounced on sixty four minutes, the cross provided by Kelvin Lugsden and Miller's back on terms. Squires Gate looked dangerous in dead-ball situations but Ben Candlin was not to be denied with a breath taking save from a direct free kick. Substitute Gareth Morley showed some trickery on the right wing to supply Craig Senior with a chance to score. Senior's diving header had too much power for Sielski to deal with, the Miller's leading with fifteen minutes to go.

Craig Senior's powerful header passes through Sielski's grasp for Millers 2nd goal

Gavin Hunter worked relentlessly in midfield, never giving up the chase, and during the final period New Mills began to take control. Brad Jones put Stephen Done through with a perfectly-weighted pass - Done tucked the ball away into the bottom left despite Sielski's athletic dive (see right). Kelvin Lugsden saw his long-range shot skim the crossbar and Brad Jones shot wide of the

Gavin Hunter caps a fine performance with Miller's 4th goal

Four wins and a draw keep Miller's Reserves top and Padiham reserves will visit Church Lane this coming Saturday.

Saturday 11th September
Brave Millers bow out of FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Great Harwood Town 3 - New Mills AFC 2

With no fewer than four regular players absent due to holidays and illness, New Mills travelled into Lancashire to visit First Division outfit Great Harwood Town on Saturday in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase. The game was played in blustery conditions with a strong swirling wind which was to have a decisive impact on the result of the game.

It was the visitors who opened strongly with the wind behind them, and they opened their account in the 3rd minute when John Eastham knocked the ball in from a corner. The Millers although penned back in their own half did always look lively on the break and particularly when Wild and Pheiffer ran at their defence. However, on 23 minutes Eastham doubled the lead when the ball was not cleared, to double the advantage.

The last ten minutes of the first half belonged to the visitors and a goal was disallowed from a free kick which seemed harsh. Right on half time Simon Ignotus had a great chance to score but the ball went wide.

After the break, with the wind behind, them it was the Millers who totally dominated play as they battered away at the home team's goal. There were several good chances missed by the forwards and on a rare break away, after the ball came back off the crossbar, it was leading scorer Paul Mashitter who made it 3-0.

Any thoughts of folding were dispelled when New Mills threw men forward and it was no more than they deserved when Chris Pheiffer pulled one back on 83 minutes. Two minutes later the same player scored a beauty to set up a grand finale. There was still time for a couple more chances to go begging before the referee blew for time, much to the relief of the home side and their supporters.

Although the first half was a little disappointing, the Millers can take heart of the second 45 minutes and can count themselves unlucky that they did not take the game into extra time.

Team: Jones, Jackson, Pickering, Green, Ignotus, Thomas, Hobday, Lochrie, Pheiffer, Wild, Hall. Subs Massey, Bubkley.

This Saturday the Reserves are again at home to Padiham where they will be hoping to complete their first double of the season. The First team travel down to Staffordshire where they play Eccleshall. Both games kick off at 3pm.

Saturday 4th September New Mills AFC 4 - Nelson FC 3 New Mills climb to fourth place in Division 2 of the North West Counties Football League, but the visitors found the net first on 18 minutes - a well-taken corner kick headed in on the goal line. New Mills replied not once but twice in quick succession. First Adam Blackburn won possession inside the box, took the ball on to find Craig Hall and Ray Hobday in a good position to score - Hall fluffed his shot but Hobday made no mistake, to regain parity for the amber shirts. Craig Hall then gave Millers the lead single-handedly from the kick off, Hall put Nelson on the back foot with his outstanding pace, Carrington in goal looked helpless as the ex-Chapel Town man cut outside his opponent and drilled the ball home left-footed.

Ray Hobday challenges for high ball

Bomber crosses

Craig Hall in action

Hall beaten by keeper

The home side held the lead at half time, but Nelson took advantage of sustained pressure to equalise 62 minutes in. The home crowd were growing restless, wondering if the points had been squandered. Stacey Wild had other ideas and charged towards goal, Nelson's keeper powerless as Wild tucked the ball home, a fine individual effort, well applauded by the Church Lane Faithful of 157.

Stacey Wild faces Nelson's keeper and scores Millers 3rd goal

The Millers extended their lead minutes later when Simon Ignotus poached a goal on the line, Carrington lay in wait and indeed looked favourite to collect the ball easy, but Ignotus stole the ball from his grasp and New Mills were two goals to the good.

Nelson did pull a goal back, ensuring a tense end to the game and New Mills will have to tighten up when they face Great Harwood Town in their next away fixture in the FA Vase.

New Mills Reserve Team hammered Colne Reserves 6-0 at the Holt House Stadium. Stephen Done bagged a brace, Dan Thomas added his name to the score sheet, Craig Senior returned from injury to find the net, Gareth Morley scored on his debut and seasoned pro Mickey Brankin scored an absolute belter.