Saturday 25th March
Millers Undone by United: New Mills 0 - FC United of Manchester 2

season in their 30th league game to extend their lead at the top of the table to a massive 24 points. However, it could and should have been a different story as straight from the kick off it was the Millers who took control as they were camped in their opponents half of the field. Despite almost all the possession they could not carve out any real chances, with perhaps the best when Morris was played through only to slip on the surface, when if he had kept his feet he would have had had a golden opportunity to score. It came as a complete surprise when with their first real attack FC took the lead on 22 minutes when Johnathon Mitten turned on the edge of the box and fired home. It was a fine opportunist goal.

Lee Morris

Joe Boyle beaten by shot for FCUM 1st goal

Joe Boyle tips ball over bar

New Mills rallied and continued to press, but with half time approaching the reds scored a second goal through Patterson who scored from a right wing corner.

The second half was a pretty tame affair and after Patterson was sent off on the hour for a second yellow card, the Manchester side seemed content to hold onto their lead, which they did fairly comfortably.

Damien Morrison swerves round opponent as referee blows for infringement

The best chances that New Mills created were all from free kicks, which were extremely well taken by both Martin McDonald and Mickey Ryan. The goalkeeper for FC, Philip Melville, made a couple of fine saves from these to keep a clean sheet.

There was some consolation in the decision of New Mills to switch the game to Hyde United’s home. The attendance of 1952 was their biggest “home attendance” since the visit of Manchester United “A” some half a century ago.

Battle for possession

New Mills: Boyle, Horrocks. M Morrison, Ryan, Jackson, D Morrison, Persechino, McDonald, Hancock, Braine, Morris subs; Jordo0n, Ignotus, Sidebottom.
FC United: Melville, Nugent,Cullen, Spencer, Chadwick, Brown, Swarbrick, Ahern, Mitten, Torpey, Patterson  subs; Lyon, Simms, Carden.

The Amber Army

New Mills have no game this weekend, but the Reserves are at home to Colne.

New Mills run of bad luck continued when they returned home pointless after dominating the game against Padiham at the Arbories Ground. In the warm up before the game, skipper Simon Ignotus and striker Lee Wakefield were both declared unfit, this meant that Manager Tony Hancock had to play himself at centre forward. The match was won on 65 minutes when Paul Fildes was brought down as he rounded Millers keeper Steve Lyons. He picked himself up, unlike Lyons who left the field injured, and drove the ball past Scott Dignan who had taken over in goal. The penalty was Fildes 20th goal of the season.

The Millers missed a hatful of chances the best of which fell to Jimmy Persechino. Overall this was the best display from New Mills since the new management took over. There were impressive debuts for both Martin McDonald and Lee Morris.

This Saturday Padiham make the return journey up to Church Lane, where the Millers will be hoping for better luck.

Tickets are now on sale at the ground for the forthcoming fixture against FC United of Manchester, which will take place at Hyde United on Saturday 25th March, kick-off 3 pm.
The ticket office will be open Monday to Friday 6 till 8 p.m. and on Saturday afternoon at the Millers home game with Padiham. The club will be running transport to the game and supporters can book their tickets in the clubhouse during normal opening hours. For more information ring the club on 01663 747435.