Tuesday 26th December
New Mills 2 - Cheadle Town 0

Rob Jordan opened the scoring 20 minutes in, the ball delicately lobbed over the advancing keeper. New Mills defended magnificently but Callum Dempsey had to leave the field at half time due to injury. The visitors pressed hard for an equaliser but a powerful header from Mike Ward gave the Millers a commanding lead 57 minutes into the game.

Mike Ward #11 heads in Millers 2nd goal

Mike Ryan shines for New Mills

Dean Butterworth controls the pass

Carlos Meakin avoids the challenge

Adam Mather races to cross the ball

Saturday 22nd December
New Mills Res 6 - Cheadle Town Res 0

Miller's second string were in fine form against Cheadle Town reserves on Saturday, Adam Blackburn placed the ball home 15 mins in and then added to Cheadle's woes 10 minutes later with his second, Danny Carter the provider from the wing. A penalty was awarded several minutes before the break with Dan Thomas scoring from the spot. During the second half Thomas bagged his second of the game and Blackburn completed his hat trick with an awsome shot from outside the box. Kelvin Lugsden finished off proceedings with a goal for himself.

Adam Blackburn scores his hat-trick - mouseover

Stacey Wild weighs up the opposition as he brings the ball out

Saturday 16th December
Millers Kept in Dark at Norton: Norton Utd 0 - New Mills 0

Abandoned after 65 minutes

New Mills were denied of a third successive victory at Norton United on Saturday when the floodlights failed on 65 minutes leaving the match referee no alternative but to abandon the game.

Although the game was level, at the time the Millers were well on top, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would break down the stubborn resistance displayed by the bottom club Norton.

New Mills fielded new signing Dean Butterworth at centre forward, and to be fair he did not have a lot in the way of chances in a forgettable first half when it seemed the Millers were a little out of sorts.

The second half was much better and Carlos Meakin, who had to sit out the first half after feeling unwell with flu symptoms, came on and immediately took control of the game.

And so the game will be replayed later in the season when the Millers will no doubt hope they can take the points.

There is some good football for the Church Lane fans to look forward to over the festive period. Firstly on Saturday the Reserves will entertain Cheadle Town. The first team should be at Darwen but the game has been brought forward 72 hours to Wednesday.

On Boxing Day the first team are also at home to Cheadle Town and the game will kick off at 3 pm. This is the first home game on this special day for nearly twenty-five years and it is hoped that it will attract the biggest gate of the season so far to watch this local derby.

On Saturday 30th December the first team are again at home when Castleton will be the visitors

Saturday 9th December
King Carlos Fires Millers to Victory: New Mills 3 - Chadderton 2

New Mills good run of form continued as they collected all three points from a stubborn Chadderton side at Church Lane. Everyone at the game is still talking about the quality player they have in Carlos Meakin.

Conceding a goal inside the first two minutes when John Jones took full advantage of the chance after the keeper had knocked the ball onto the post, rocked the Millers.

However, they were level inside 60 seconds when Carlos Meakin knocked the ball home. Just four minutes later the same player danced his way round several defenders before lashing the ball home – a truly well taken goal that was roundly applauded by the fans.

Carlos Meakin sees his shot cleared

After that it was all one-way traffic towards the Chadderton goal and it came as no surprise when Stuart McGill hit the third on 25 minutes. Meakin and Jordan then both had excellent chances to add to the score, but they were not taken.

When the half time whistle blew the home fans were no doubt rubbing their hands at the prospect of further scoring in the second half. The game did not go that way though, and the first twenty minutes was a non event. Gradually the visitors began to take some control, aided somewhat by the linesman who took over at the interval from the referee who was injured. His decisions were strange to say the least, and it made the game a stop-start affair due to his constant use of the whistle.

With twelve minutes remaining Mitchell Clegg scored a consolation goal, but New Mills defence held firm to run out the worthy winners.

When Millers boss Tony Hancock signed Carlos Meakin from Woodley, he stated that here was a midfield player who would score a minimum of 10 goals from his midfield position. His two goals on Saturday have taken his tally to 6 in just 6 games. He is certainly a great addition to the squad.

 NEW MILLS; Boyle, Bromley, Walsh, Dempsey, Lees, Morrison, McGill, Ward, Jordan, Meakin and Mather subs; Dignan, Jackson, Speke.

Chadderton under pressure from Millers corner

This Saturday New Mills travel to bottom side Norton United who have still to register a league win this season. They will be boosted by the signing of Dean Butterworth an experienced striker who it is hoped will soon get among the goals although the Millers have registered 8 goals in their last two matches.

The Reserves game at Nelson was postponed on Saturday. They will be at home this weekend when they entertain Atherton LR.

Adam Mather crosses to Rob Jordan

Rob Jordan under pressure

Saturday 2nd December
Super Millers Mow the Daisies: Daisy Hill 0 - New Mills 5

New Mills swept into the quarter finals of the Second Division Trophy with a devastating display of attacking football in Westhoughton on Saturday to demolish Daisy Hill. With a five goal margin – and it could have been treble that score!

On a difficult pitch the Millers turned in a marvellous display of open attacking soccer to thoroughly delight their travelling supporters. The team was slightly depleted with both Fitzpatrick and Jackson ruled out because of injuries and the news that Vinnie Braine had been released by manager Tony Hancock. He has since joined Padiham.

Goal scorer Carlos Meakin

It took 25 minutes for them to open the scoring and it was man of the match Carlos Meakin who did just that, heading home a fee kick. Just four minutes later and Rob Jordan scored a contender for the goal of the season. A fine build up down the right hand side resulting in McGill sending in a pin point cross to which Jordan heading the ball past the outstretched arms of the home custodian.

Rob Jordan watches his header sail in for Millers 2nd goal

From this moment on it was purely one-way traffic as the visitors poured forward. Any slim hopes the home side might have had of a recovery were dashed when striker Simon Farrell was shown a straight red card just before the break for a reckless challenge.

And so the crowd were anticipating that there would be further goals in the second half, and they were not disappointed. Meakin added his second goal on 52 minutes and just three minutes later Damien Morrison also added his name to the score sheet when his shot rolled into the corner of the net.

The scoring was completed on 63 minutes when Jordan blasted a shot in off the post and Carlos Meakin was harshly adjudged to be offside when he completed what would have been a deserved hat trick ten minutes from the close.

It would be churlish to criticise New Mills for not scoring more goals. They must be applauded for making so many chances as a result of some of their best football of the season.

Stuart McGill's shot is blocked by keeper

This is the first time that New Mills have gone into the New Year still in a cup competition at this level since 1975, and they will be delighted to learn that they have a home ties in the next round which will be played at Church Lane on February 3rd. This weekend Millers Firsts have a home game against Chadderton.

NEW MILLS; Boyle, Bromley, Walsh, Dempsey, Lees, Morrison, McGill, Ward, Jordan, Meakin, Mather. Subs Dignan, Lugsden.

The Reserves fine run of form continued on Saturday when the swept past Oldham Town 4-0. Danny Thomas and Stacey Wild each scoring twice.

Rob Jordan intercepted by Hill's skipper

Rob Jordan's shot is saved