Kelvin Lugsden Defends

Chadderton kepper punches clear

New manager Tony Hancock had said before this game against high flying Flixton that he would have preferred to have had this game in a months time when his newly assembled side had settled in.

The game at Valley Road was not a classic, but the quality of football on show was of a very high standard indeed. The attendance was swelled three times above the average due to the large number of supporters who had travelled over from the High Peak and they saw their team go to within ten minutes of obtaining what would have been a very good draw.

Vinnie Braine attacks

Pete Sidebottom confronted

The first half started brightly with New Mills looking dangerous, particularly with front man Vinnie Braine always looking to run at the opposing defence. Gradually though the home side began to take control, and in the last fifteen minutes they laid assault at the New Mills goal where two great saves from Steven Lyons and a goal line clearance by Simon Ignotus kept the scores level at the break.

Flixton keeper denies Vinnie Braine

The second period saw more attacking by Flixton, but the Millers defence was resolute and chances were kept at a minimum. There was an outstanding debut from Philips at the heart of the defence. Just when it seemed as though the points would be shared, up popped full back Ian Varley to score when a free kick was not cleared.

Flixton goals caught by camerman Geoff Potts

This prompted a shift in the game with New Mills laying siege on the home goal and they had a good chance when Stacey Wild could not get a shot off as it seemed he might level. The second goal was scored two minutes from the end with a swift breakaway and a cool finish into the bottom corner by Stuart Walker.

Although this as a minor set back for New Mills, it must be stated that Flixton are flying high in the table and looking a likely bet for promotion. New Mills will face their longest trip of the campaign on Saturday when they travel up to Cumbria to play at Holker Old Boys in Barrow. The second team will be at home with a game which will kick off at 3 pm.

NEW MILLS: Lyons, Jackson, Horrocks, Philips, Ignotus, Pavey, Sidebottom, Dignan, Braine, Ryan, Williams  subs; Wild, Morrison.

Micky Ryan header

New Mills ended their poor run of results in some style on Saturday when they came from behind to secure the points against Oldham Town at Church Lane.

The Millers in their first game under Tony Hancock and Paul Kirkham brought in six newcomers and started brightly. It was something of a shock when after 6 minutes Darren Scanlon found himself unmarked in the penalty area. He steadied himself before unleashing a terrific shot which few high into the net past the helpless Steven Lyons. This threw the Millers out of their stride for a while and they were somewhat fortunate to level 15 minutes later when a shot from Braine was deflected past goalkeeper David Carnell and into the net. Incredibly this was the first goal for the men in black and amber in 418 minutes, so a bit of luck was welcome.

New player Vinnie Braine is confronted

The second period started off somewhat slowly and it took a breathtaking save by Lyons on the hour to spark the Millers into gear again. Two or three terrific chances were created and missed, until finally a superb cross from the left side by Mathew Williams - and he delivered plenty - found Pete Sidebottom on the six-yard line to head home. Suddenly it was all the home side as they pressed forward to finish the game off. This they did when with just two minutes remaining the hard working Vinnie Braine capped off a marvellous display to drive the ball past the goalkeeper into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. The crowd went wild as did Braine in celebration, and it seems that the Church Lane faithful have found a new hero as they warmly applauded his non-stop hard working performance up front as he was substituted.

Millers attack

To be fair to Town, they never stopped looking to go forward, buoyed no doubt by their recent 7-1 thrashing of New Mills on the ground just a few weeks ago. However, it was appropriate that the biggest league crowd of the season at New Mills of 175 witnessed this great performance. The team were given a terrific ovation as they left the field.

Nobody is getting carried away with this win, as there are some very difficult games to play in the next few weeks, starting this Saturday when they travel to third placed Flixton. It was Flixton who had a 5-0 success on the Millers ground just two weeks ago. However, already there are signs that the fans are in for some exciting times ahead as was previewed on Saturday.
New Mills: Lyons , Morgan, Horrocks, Jackson , Ignotus, Pavey, Sidebottom, Dignan, Braine, Morrison, Williams subs: Wild, Ahmed.

The reserves battled back from 2-0 down to earn a well deserved point. Ashton started the game well but the Millers didn't seem to wake up in the first half and were 2-0 down at half time.

The second half started much more brightly for the Millers and they soon got themselves back into the game with a excellent through ball by Ray Hobdey (who was excellent throughout the game) set Dan Thomas through on goal - as he rounded the keeper he looked to have taken it a bit wide, but scored a brilliant goal from the tightist of angles.

With about 5 mins left, and the Millers still peppering the Ashton goal, the ball came to Jason Clarke out on the right, he put in a brilliant cross for Chris Prodromis to take a touch and put the ball away to earn the Millers a well deserved point.