Saturday 26th August
Bootle 1 - New Mills 2 : Super Millers Win Again

New Mills magnificent start to the new season continued on Saturday on Merseyside when a superb 20-yard strike by Stuart McGill late on in the game ensured another three points.

The Millers are unbeaten in their four opening fixtures and but for an injury time goal at Oldham they would have four straight wins instead of the three and a draw which they have secured.

The match at the New Bucks Park was played on a good pitch, but the strong swirling wind made conditions a little difficult for both sides. It was the homesters who were into the game first and after just 12 minutes they were awarded a penalty when young keeper Joe Boyle was penalised for bringing down the Bootle forward. Fortunately, for the visitors Terry McDonald fired wide of the mark from the penalty spot.

New Mills with Mickey Ryan back in their ranks – who had an outstanding game – then appeared to have steadied the game down, however, on 29 minutes a long ball into their area from the right hand side resulted in Andrew Olsen drilling the ball into the corner of the net. It was a really well taken goal.

Gradually the Millers began to assert themselves and just 10 seconds from the interval Lee Morris swung the ball over and there was Jimmy Persechino to send a deft little back header over the top of Robin Miles to level the scores.

Whatever was said in the Peakites dressing room during the break had an immediate effect as they began to take a real hold on the game. There were several half chances made in the first twenty minutes of the second period. However, with twenty minutes remaining Lee Morris who had proved to be a real threat to the Liverpool outfit was substituted. The Home team then began to take a little more control themselves as the game flowed from end to end.

The match turned with just ten minutes remaining. Joe Boyle made a truly amazing double save to deny Bootle from going back in front. The Millers swept up to the other end and Ryan fired just over from the edge of the penalty area.

The winning goal came just four minutes from the end of the match when Stuart McGill hit an unstoppable drive from outside the 18-yard box, and although it took a slight deflection it was always going to go into the net for his third goal of the season in three appearances.

The rest of time was fairly easily played out and the final whistle was greeted with loud cheers from the Millers supporters who had made the journey down the M62.

NEW MILLS; Boyle, Woodbridge, Fitzpatrick, Dignan, Ryan, Persechino, McGill, Morris, Jordan, Blackburn, Mather subs; Alford, Cole, O’Leary-Jones.

On Saturday the Millers face their trickiest game so far when they make the long trip up North Yorkshire to face Pickering Town in the F A Cup. Pickering are a good side – in fact they won at the Silverlands last season, which is some feat in itself – and it is hoped that Martin McDonald will be back from his injury which has so far ruled him out of any matches this season.

A coach will be running from the ground on Church Lane and supporters can find out more details by ringing the club house on 01663 747435.

Tuesday 22nd August
Chadderton 3 - New Mills Reserves 2

Chris Lees under pressure

Ray Hobday heads away

Saturday 19th August
Atherton Collieries 1 - New Mills 2 : Super Millers in Cup Shock Win

Spectacular save from Joe Boyle

The team will travel over to Merseyside on Saturday to face league new boys Bootle. They will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season. On Tuesday evening they were only two minutes away from another win when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Oldham Town. The scorers for New Mills were an own goal and Carl Alford.

Good news for the club is that Mickey Ryan has resigned for them from Cheadle Town and Martin McDonald will return to training this week after a long lay off.

The Reserves had a sensational start to their season with an emphatic 6-0 win at Ashton Town. The scorers were a fine hat trick from Stacey Wild, an own goal and Mark Land and Calum Clarke also getting on the score sheet. They face an away game in midweek at Chadderton but have no match this weekend.

The club were saddened to hear of the death last week of long-standing committee member Philip Hampson. Philip had served the club for many years in various capacities. In fact there was nothing that he could not turn his hand to. He was also one of the most popular figures in and around the club and everyone at the Church Lane club will miss him. The club would like to express their deepest sympathies to his wife Debbie and children Lee and Lisa and all their family.

The two results, which the club achieved last weekend are dedicated to Philip – a fitting tribute.

New Mills opened the new season in some style on Saturday when they came away from Westhoughton with all three points after a solid display of football. The Millers keen to open their account took a while to get into their stride, but once they opened the scoring through Craig Fleury on 32 minutes the result was never in doubt.

 The lead was doubled just six minutes later when Rob Jordan – who has been scoring regularly in the pre season build up – opened his account with a well-taken effort.

At this time the visitors were in complete command and could easily have added to their total before the break. However, it took just a couple of second half minutes for Stuart McGill to make it three. New Mills then had an effort disallowed in what seemed to be a close decision by the man in charge, before the home side pulled a goal back when Williams slotted home with half an hour remaining.

The Millers players then seemed to ease back and with the points already secured they were comfortable and held on to make it an amazing five wins out of five against the Lancashire outfit since they came into the league two years ago.

With another away game at Oldham Town on Tuesday night they will be hoping to build on this excellent result.

On Saturday they travel to Atherton Collieries in the FA Cup, in a game, which should have been played at Church Lane. However, the pitch will not be ready for another month and so it means a difficult match for them against a team which is placed in one division higher than them in the North West Counties League.

The Reserves kick off their campaign when they travel to Ashton Town, and they will no doubt be aiming to emulate the first team with three points.

Team: Joe Boyle, Lee Bromley, Scott Dignan, Jamie Fitzpatrick, Stuart Cole, Stuart McGill, Jimmy Persechino, Lee Morris, Adam Mather, Rob Jordan, Craig Fluery.
Subs: Carl Alford, Mike Ward, Phil Woodbridge.

Rob Jordan scorer of Millers 2nd goal

Stuart McGill scores Millers 3rd Goal

Mike Ward beats the tackle

Adam Mather shows speed and ball control

Jamie Fitzpatrick covers Daisy Hill attack