Millers Reserves - runners up Trophy

Millers Reserves receive the runners up Trophy from League Official Geoff Wilkinson

Millers Reserves squad with runners up Trophy

Skizz

Reserves 5 - Blackpool Mechanics 0 : Adam Blackburn - Danny Carter - Mark Land - Stephen Done

Mon 7 May : Millers Res 3 - Nelson 0

Sat 5 May : Millers Res 8 - Atherton LR 0
New Mills lead 2-0 at half time thanks to Kieran Lugsden who went on to complete his hat trick straight from the second half kick off. Stephen Done, Dan Thomas, Michal Biczysko and Dan Jackson also scored while Simon Ignotus fired the ball over for what would have been the 100th goal scored this season in all competitions at reserve level. The honour of the 100th goal scored went to Kelvin Lugsden who fired the ball home in the 86th minute.

Thur 3 May : Millers Res 5 - Darwen 0
Five star Miller's ripped Darwen to shreds with a dominant display, especially during the second half. Kieran Lugsden opened up the scoring and added another just after half time, then Mike Hooley volleyed home a crisp strike and Michal Biczysko scored his first goal for New Mills with not so much a daisy cutter but a dust syther! Kieran Lugsden completed his hat trick from the penalty spot and New Mills really should have had not one, but two other penalties awarded. An awesome display of team work at it's best.

Wed 2 May : Millers Res 5 - Blackpool Mechanics
The visitors were grateful to their keeper who pulled off some good saves during the opening half hour but Stephen Done delivered a great cross from the right wing with Kieran Lugsden diving in to head the ball in at the far post. The Polish lad - Mickel Zabriskipointkolovski (or something like that) showed some deft touches in the heart of midfield and played some delightful through balls, but it wasn't until 12 minutes from time that the game was beyond doubt. Both Doni and Mark Land combined to put the ball into the box where Danny Carter side footed home.

Mon 30 April : New Mills Reserves 5 - Chadderton Reserves 1
Adam Blackburn opened up the scoring at Church Lane on Monday night and a Kelvin Lugsden penalty kick gave the Millers a commanding lead leading into the break. A couple of goals from Substitute Dan Thomas put the tie beyond doubt with the visitors scoring in between his brace and a goal for former youth team starlet Kieran Lugsden finished the game off with a well taken effort.

Mon 23 Apr : Millers Res 3 - Colne Res 0
Adam Blackburn took two attempts to score 7 minutes in and Rob Jordan doubled Miller's advantage midway through the 1st half. A thundering header from Simon Ignotus put the tie beyond doubt and Mike Myers also had a good chance to score, however his effort beat the advancing keeper but was also wide of the mark.

Saturday 28th April
Cheadle Town 0 - New Mills 1

The Millers finished off their season with a fourth straight win at the Park Stadium on Saturday. It was not a classic game by any means with both sides seeming to be ready for the summer break. New Mills were well worthy of the win with the only goal coming on 35 minutes when skipper Mike Ryan rose and headed the ball down bouncing it into the net. The second half saw some further chances created but in fairness they were not needed.

And so New Mills have finished the season in 4th place, edged out of 3rd place by goal difference. We wait to see the implications of the restructuring of the Unibond League to see how many clubs will be promoted.

The side have lost just 3 games out of the last 30, and finished with a total of 109 league and cup goals, the leading scorer being Carlos Meakin who has 22 to his name and Stuart McGill following him with 14.

The reserves went down 1-0 to Padiham on Saturday, but they have games to play on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and finally next Monday before they can put their feet up for the summer.

The Annual Presentation Evening will be held in the clubhouse on Saturday 12th May at 7.30. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no admission price.

Mike Ward - Stuart McGill - Lee Bromley - Paul Garvey - Paul Kirkham - Tony Hancock

Millers goal under pressure within minutes

Thursday 26th April
Miller's spoil Winsford's party - Again! : New Mills 2 - Winsford 1

New Mills made an impressive home finish to their excellent season when they defeated the league champions Winsford United at Church Lane on Thursday night.

The Millers who had knocked United out of the league cup in an epic two-leg semi-final were well worthy of the three points in an entertaining game, which had the large mid-week crowd on their toes until the final minute.

It was the home side that were the better side in the opening 45 minutes and they took the lead shortly before half time courtesy of Paul Garvey while the United defenders were appealing for an offside decision which never came.

The second half was a lot more even with the Cheshire outfit determined to end their jinx at the Church Lane ground – they have now lost all four games there since the Millers came into the league.

However, on a break away the ball was not cleared and at the second attempt leading scorer Carlos Meakin was there to bundle it over the line.

Winsford seemed to be spurred into action and did pull a consolation goal back with just five minutes remaining, but the Millers held firm to take the honours. At the end of the game they were loudly applauded off the field by around 100 fans.

Close call from Winsford corner

Adam Mather intercepted by Liam Coyne

Liam Coyne defends keeper Jamie Mottershead from Millers corner

Callum Dempsey sets up the shot for Carlos Meakin

Wednesday 25th April
New Mills Res 1 - FCUM Res 3

Ball gets bundled in for Millers goal

Danny Carter brings the ball out

Ben Candlin punches FC's corner clear

Heavy challenge on Danny Thomas

Adam Blackburn beats the defence only to see his shot saved

Saturday 21st April
Ryan Takes Millers to 7th Heaven: New Mills 7 - Daisy Hill 1

New Mills recorded their biggest ever win in the North West Counties league on Saturday when they trounced Daisy Hill 7-1 at Church Lane. The Millers were inspired by a breathtaking display of finishing from their popular skipper Mike Ryan who bagged four goals, and gave an outstanding display of an all round game. In fact, Ryan has been truly immense in recent weeks leading from the front where his enthusiasm and skill are infectious to the rest of the team who he has led to pick up a trophy, and look set for a top four finish in the league table.

Playing in front of a large crowd who were basking in the sunshine it took 12 minutes for Ryan to slide the ball home. Just a couple of minutes later and he lobbed one in to double the score.

Right on the stroke of half time and a mazy run by the captain down the left hand side culminated with his cross being turned in by Stuart McGill for his 14th goal of the season.

The second period started fairly slowly, but Ryan completed his hat trick and within a minute he again lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper for his fourth. Barely two minutes had passed when Paul Garvey opened his account to make the score 6-0.

Ryan was substituted on the hour to great applause from the fans, but the scoring did not finish there. Garvey scored from a near impossible angle and Rob Jordan hit the cross bar with a thunderous volley.

Daisy Hill pulled back a goal with around 15 minutes remaining and that is how the game finished. This was an emphatic display by New Mills who even could afford to withdraw four players from the pitch for the last fifteen minutes to enable them to gain a rest for the last week of matches which is as hectic as the previous three.

They travel to Ashton Town on Tuesday before entertaining Winsford United on Thursday. Winsford look set to be crowned Champions and a big crowd is anticipated before they round off the season at near neighbours Cheadle Town on Saturday. All in all they will have played 10 games in just 22 days.

It has been a terrific run of form, which at home for instance has seen them win 13 and draw 2 from their last 15 at Church Lane. They have also been scoring plenty of goals including plundering 12 in the last two home matches.

The Reserves are still in the hunt for silverware. They face a massive block of fixtures in a very short space of time. All of their games are at HOME. A semi final tie against FC United of Manchester was due to take place on Wednesday and their remaining games are as follows; Sat 28th April Padiham, Monday 30th Chadderton, Wednesday 2nd May Blackpool Mechanics, Thursday 3rd Darwen, Saturday 5th Atherton LR, Monday 7th Nelson.  It represents 9 games in just 18 days. Last Thursday they beat Daisy Hill 4-0.

Skipper Mike Ryan beats Scott Moore to open the scoring for the Millers

Goal scorer Stuart McGill slots his shot past Kyle Hynes

Paul Garvey and Mike Ryan lethal at the front

Mark Lees - strong defender

Mike Myers shot saved by Scott Moore - mouseover

Mike Ryan on goal scoring run - Paul Garvey past Craig Whitaker on run for goal - Mike Myers shoots

Saturday 18th April
Padiham 2 - New Mills 0

Ex Miller Melvin Morrison tries to go between Dean Butterworth & Carlos Meakin

Carlos Meakin weaves around defender

Dean Butterworth heads forward

Millers pile into Padiham's box for corner - mouseover

Saturday 16th April
New Mills 5 - Bootle 3

Extremely good game at Church Lane on Monday evening, the visitors opened up the scoring with a decent volley but Carlos Meakin levelled from the spot 17 minutes in.
The visitors were presented a gift and lead leading up to the break but Dean Butterworth crashed the ball into the roof of the net seconds before the half time whistle blew.

New Mills should have had a penalty awarded on 48 minutes as a Bootle defender blocked the ball two-handed, but the Millers did take the lead soon after. Dean Butterworth chased a lost cause and dinked the ball into the six yard box, where Paul Garvey side footed home.

Although the visitors pressed to redress the balance, New Mills extended the lead through Stuart McGill who burst through from midfield to slot the ball home comfortably.
The assistant Referee took control for the last 12 minutes and after a Bootle player kicked the ball at the New Mills dugout, issued a yellow card quickly followed by a second yellow for dissent. The Millers were later awarded another penalty kick with Carlos Meakin showing good variation to convert.

Although the visitors got a late consolation, New Mills had earned the points with a resilient display against a team who seemed formidable for the 1st hour.

Carlos Meakins penalty sends Mark Mawdsley the wrong way

Paul Garvey battles for possession - Dean Butterworth steal - Mark Mawdsley beats Paul Garvey

Saturday 14th April
Norton United 1 - New Mills AFC 2

New Mills continued their magnificent run of results with a 2-1 success at Norton United on Saturday. The match was sensationally abandoned earlier in the season after an hour due to a floodlight failure at the Staffordshire sides ground.

Only 48 hours had elapsed since that breathtaking performance at Trafford and Norton came out in a determined mood and scored within 2 minutes when Shotton converted from a corner. New Mills struggled to get their game together and manager Tony Hancock mindful no doubt of the heavy fixture programme was forced to bring on Mike Ryan at half time.

This proved to be a masterful stroke as first Ryan levelled on 52 minutes before setting up Paul Garvey to score the winning goal just 8 minutes later.

Saturday 14th April
New Mills Res 2 - Ashton Town Res 2

Ashton Town punished Millers early on with two goals but Mike Myers equalised before the break. Second half New Mills struggled to break down a resolute Town defence but during the last quarter hour the Miller's threw everything but the kitchen sink towards goal, without much success. The game was drawn in the 91st minute when Town's keeper spilled the ball under pressure from Mike Hooley, Jimmy Persechino pounced with a diving header to share the spoils.

Mike Myers - Kelvin Lugsden. (No Geoff today so photos courtesy of Stuart Howard)

Thursday 12th April
Indomitable Miller's Win Penalty Shoot-Out
Oldham Town 3 - New Mills AFC 3 (Millers win 4-2 on pens AET)

New Mills lifted their first ever trophy as a North West Counties league club when they won a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Oldham Town on Trafford FC’s Shawe View ground.

The teams had finished 3-3 after extra time and so the Second Division Trophy was settled from the twelve-yard mark. The Millers were spurred on by a huge travelling support, which created a carnival like atmosphere and brought back memories of their two back-to-back Derbyshire Divisional Cup wins in 2001 and 2002.

The game itself started quite slowly with both sides testing each other out. It was New Mills who looked the more likely and yet they fell behind to the leagues leading scorer Darren Scanlon’s 24th minute opener.

This seemed to jerk the Millers into action, they began to press, and on 33 minutes they were level thanks to a terrific 25-yard strike by skipper Mike Ryan. The first half finished all square.

In the second half New Mills began to dominate and there were good chances which were not taken. However, it was their leading scorer Carlos Meakin who fired them in front with a great left foot shot after 62 minutes. Amazingly within two minutes Oldham had equalised when Melia smashed home a beauty.

Try as they might New Mills could not get the elusive goal which would have sealed it in the remaining minutes of the half. And so into extra time and once again there seemed only one winner as the men in black and amber poured forward.

With just ten minutes of the second period of extra time remaining they managed to get their noses in front again. Meakin burst into the penalty area where he was felled. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Up stepped Meakin himself to easily despatch and claim his 19th goal for the club (YouTube Video).

The game appeared be all over when, with just second’s left, that man Scanlon again scored, ending the game all square and so to penalties.

The massed ranks of Millers fans assembled at the bottom end of the ground on a large grassy bank, many of who could hardly bear to watch as the contest began.

The captain Mike Ryan went first and scored as did the first Town penalty taker. Then youngest player on the field Mark Lees also converted. The Oldham player who went next saw his shot hit the bar – did Barry George get a faint touch to deflect it onto the woodwork? Mike Ward then made it 3-1 before another Town player reduced the arrears. Then it was the turn of hero Meakin but Matty Blair magnificently saved his kick. It was then the turn of the Oldham centre half and captain to shoot and he missed the target by some way firing high and wide. And so the final kick for New Mills was ready to be taken and up stepped goalkeeper Barry George and he hit his shot like a rocket straight into the middle of the goal sparking off amazing goal celebrations with the players and fans.

It was certainly a dramatic way to win the trophy and although New Mills had certainly been the more forceful side in creating most of the chances one had to feel sorry for Oldham Town who had battled bravely.

Team Captains

Oldham Town squad

Match Officials

Carlos Meakin with Paul Garvey in support

Carlos Meakin heads the corner back in

Carlos Meakins penalty beats Towns keeper

Dean Butterworth in action	Paul Garvey meets the cross

Danny Jackson heads on to the waiting Adam Blackburn

Paul Garvey breaks through

Stuart McGill challenges for the ball

Carlos Meakin challenges

Mike Ward chases

Millers keeper Barry George blasts in the winning penalty

Millers Banners

Wednesday 11th April
New Mills Res 2 - Glossop NE Res 1

A weakened New Mills side faced Scott Moore's Glossop North End with only Jason Clarke available on Millers bench. Both sides played some good football for the 1st half, but the game was goal-less at half time.

Rob Jordan opened up the scoring for the home side 57 minutes in, the ball was crossed into the six yard box, but struck Mike Grindey in the face, however Jordan was quick to fire the ball home at the near post of ex-Miller Adam Hughes. Glossop equalised soon after from the penalty spot, but Grindey headed home the winner as New Mills pressed.

The Millers continued to hit Glossop on the break with Jordan and Grindey proving to be a handful for Glossop's back line. Jordan was strong on the ball and was looking sharp after his recent injury, but another injury on the night forced Mike Hooley from the game and it was he who was heading for Man of the Match before Clarke was introduced.

Monday 9th April
New Mills 3 - Blackpool Mechanics 2

New Mills were home again on bank holiday Monday and opened up the scoring ten minutes into the game through Danny Jackson. Adam Blackburn really should have doubled the advantage soon after. Blackpool's keeper was forced to leave the field and although the Millers pressed for a second it was the visitors who scored next.

Carlos Meakin converted from the penalty spot to give Millers the advantage leading into half time and Meakin added another from open play during the second half. Blackpool reduced the arrears 25 minutes from time ensuring a tense finish. Although both Paul Garvey and Adam Mather saw their efforts disallowed for off side decisions, the Millers were worthy of the win and move up to fourth spot in Division Two of the North West counties football league. ATT 189

Paul Garvey's run stopped by Jon Moffat - Danny Jackson Millers 1st goal - Stuart McGill run blocked
- Callum Dempsey header - Carlos Meakin penalty goal - Heavy challenge on Stuart McGill

Saturday 7th April
New Mills 3 - Ashton Town 0

An impressive home win at a sunny Church Lane. Ashton Town had historically caused New Mills many problems during previous encounters, but the Millers were worthy of a three goal to nil victory with a strong starting line up.

From the outset New Mills pressed for an early goal which almost came when the visitors keeper misjudged the flight of the ball which bounced over his head onto the crossbar. The referee spared his blushes sighting a nudge from a New Mills forward. However, 16 minutes into the game, Mark Lees scored from a well taken free kick which was all of 60 yards from goal. Rapturous applause rang round Church Lane in what was fast becoming a carnival atmosphere. The lead was doubled 10 minutes before half time when Carlos Meakin burst through from midfield to fire home. Dean Butterworth almost added his name to the score sheet, but his effort was inches wide. However, the Millers capped off the afternoon with a great goal. Lee Bromley had a fine afternoon as did the entire back line, picking the ball up from a deep position, Bromley skipped past a couple of Town's players sending the ball through to Stuart McGill who after taking the ball to the by-line, squared the perfect delivery to Adam Blackburn who side footed home nine minutes from time.

Dean Butterworth under pressure

Adam Blackburn beats Towns keeper and scores - Mouseover

Adam Mather intercepts - Mouseover

Barry George gets to the ball first

Stuart McGill pushes forward and crosses the ball

Wednesday 4th April
New Mills Reserves 2 - Chadderton Res 0 (AET)

New Mills Reserves progressed to the next round of the Reserve Division Trophy but it took 120 minutes to achieve their goal. The home side tested Chadderton's keeper for the first half hour then the visitors created a few chances as half time approached, play was stopped on 50 minutes due to a blackout but the game resumed shortly after although both sides cancelled each other out for the remainder of normal time.

Danny Carter had a good chance to score in the first period of extra time, but the visitors keeper saved smartly with his legs. After 111 minutes of play, Stacey Wild was scythed down en-route to goal. The Chadderton player was the last man and duly dismissed but to the amazement of all around, only a free kick was awarded. The free kick bounced straight off the wall, but the ball was kept alive and Simon Ignotus turned smartly to prod the ball into the bottom corner.

The Millers pressed for a second goal which came 3 minutes from time, Mike Myers struck a fine shot which did beat the keeper and was creeping in, but Stacey Wild tapped the ball in on the line David Nugent style, the game finished at 10:35pm, but the Millers are far from finished in this competition.

Monday 2nd April
New Mills 3 - Castleton Gabriels 0

The Millers started brightly with Paul Garvey scoring a brace on 5 and 23 minutes, but as half time approached Mickey Ryan pulled up with a groin strain, which is a worry for New Mills as the Division Two Trophy final fast approaches.

Stuart McGill replaced the popular captain and looked dangerous on the right flank. Carlos Meakin tested Castleton's crossbar right on half time, the build up play was exquisite and surely deserved more. However, it was Dean Butterworth who put the tie beyond doubt, bursting through the midfield to pick his spot around the hour mark.

Dean Butterworth breaks through the defence - mouseover

Danny Jackson heads in the corner

Adam Mather blasts the cross in

Dean Butterworth controls the ball

Lee Bromley powers the ball into the goalmouth