.gif) Monday 20th November
Millers Go Down To Oldham: New Mills 1 - Oldham Town 2
New Mills slipped to defeat for the second time in three days to another late goal in a game in which they were totally in control. When Carlos Meakin put them in front on 13 minutes it seemed as though three points would come their way, especially as a host of good chances were created. However, as in recent games, they were made to pay for missing them, as first L Scanlan levelled with 20 minutes remaining and as the match looked destined to finish in a stalemate D Scanlan netted for the Lancashire club.
Saturday 18th November
Millers Fall To Late Strike: Eccleshall 1 - New Mills 0
For the second successive week New Mills travelled down to Staffordshire and came away empty handed despite two terrific performances.
The trip to Eccleshall was always going to be a hard one with them well placed in the league table and having games in hand. Also they were unbeaten at home with the meanest defence in the division.
Once again New Mills came out from the start strongly and were soon making good forays into the home half. After just three minutes a fine build up down the left resulted in a cross falling to the feet of Carlos Meakin who hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Further chances were created and both Adam Mather and Vinnie Braine went close. The Eccleshall team were all big fellows – but they could play – and yet they were restricted to shots at goal from a distance.
As the game went on it seemed as though if anything it would be New Mills who might sneak it, but with just six minutes remaining Williams scored with a well-taken goal in what was really the only serious chance that the Staffordshire outfit created.
New Mills responded magnificently, and Rob Jordan hit a rasping drive against the post with the ball coming back out before being scrambled clear.
With just three minutes remaining the home goalkeeper David Abel was involved in a collision with Millers new boy Gregg Brickell. He was stretchered off with what seemed a serious injury. Sadly, for the Millers they were unable to test the rookie who took his place in the remaining couple of minutes.
Consequently New Mills appear to be down on their luck lately, but they can take consolation in that they are playing very well as a unit. The problem is scoring goals, and that hopefully will start with Monday’s game against Oldham Town.
This weekend the Millers are at home to bottom side Norton United who have yet to win in the league this season. The Reserves had a good win when they defeated Formby 1-0 in their first home game of the season. The scorer was Stacey Wild. They will travel to Padiham.
Saturday 11th November
Millers Pay the Penalty: Newcastle Town 2 - New Mills 0
New Mills went tumbling out of the League Cup down in the Potteries on Saturday, and the general consensus of opinion on the coach back was how did we lose that game?
New Mills were at their opponents straight from the kick off and they penned them in their own half for the first half an hour. On 15 minutes they had a golden opportunity to capitalise on their domination when Vinnie Braine rounded keeper Scott Bentley and he somehow managed to put the ball into the side netting.
This did not deter the Millers and soon Bentley was forced to turn the ball away at full stretch to deny Mike Ward. With the game 35 minutes old Town sprung into action and Troy Whittle brilliantly turned the ball onto his crossbar to deny them taking the lead.
With the half deep into stoppage time the Staffordshire side took the lead with a brilliantly taken goal from Wes Wilkinson. His volley flying into the top corner of the goal.
Adam Mather tackles in defence - mouseover
New Mills came out in determined mood for the second half and it was a similar story to the first 45 minutes in that they were creating chances and yet failing to convert them.
With the swirling wind making conditions difficult there was some good football played. Just when it seemed as though the pressure might bring some rewards they conceded another goal. With just 10 minutes remaining New Mills were awarded a free kick. The ball was cleared and Newcastle moved the ball up field very quickly, resulting in Scott Dignan bundling over the forward and thus a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Darren Twigg who made no mistake from the 12-yard mark.
So, the Millers came away a little disappointed that they are not in the hat for the next round. However, they can take consolation from the fact that they were the better team and although they lost the team are really beginning to gel.
NEW MILLS: Whittle, Lees, Mather, Dempsey, Jackson, Morrison, Meakin, Ward, Jordan, Braine, Blackburn subs; Dignan, Lugsden, Carter.
On Saturday New Mills travel to Staffordshire again where they will face highflying Eccleshall. They are at HOME on Monday evening when they will play Oldham Town and the game will kick off at 7.45. |
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The Second team lost for only the second time in the league this season when they were crushed 5-0 by FC United Reserves. They will play their first home game in the league this season on Saturday when they entertain Formby.
Saturday 4th November
Carlos Fires-Up Millers: New Mills 2 - Padiham 1
New Mills impressive run of form continued at Church Lane on Saturday when they came from behind to overcome a stubborn Padiham side who had previously only lost once in the league all season.
The goal, which put the Millers back on level terms, will be talked about for quite some time as it was one of the best strikes seen on the ground for many years.
The game started brightly for the Lancashire side who stroked the ball around with some style in the first ten minutes. There was a let off for New Mills on just eight minutes when skipper Paul Paynter burst through and hit his shot against the underside of the bar.
The Millers were fielding two debutants in goalkeeper Troy Whittle, who had signed from Cheadle to cover for the suspended Joe Boyle and Carlos Meakin a well known player who had stepped down from the Unibond. |
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There was some controversy about the opening goal for Padiham on 14 minutes when Paul Fildes appeared to trip Danny Jackson as the two raced back for the ball. The referee allowed Fildes to go on and he confidently scored his 11th goal of the season.
It took the home side about another five minutes to finally get in their stride, but when they did they turned in an exhilarating performance for the remaining 70 minutes of the match.
Several close chances were created with Braine, Jordan, Mather and Ward all going close. However, the teams were separated by the Fildes goal when the interval came.
The second half was an almost completely one-sided affair with New Mills pouring forward at every opportunity. The ball seemed destined to go into the net every time it was put into the opposing penalty area. Mike Ward went close on a couple of corners and Braine saw his effort knocked off the line. On the hour Braine hit a rasping drive which came back off the post and goalkeeper Gavin King superbly denied Adam Blackburn who was following up.
Eventually the pressure had to pay off and it did on 70 minutes. A nice build up down the left hand side saw the ball squared to Meakin who steadied himself before unleashing a thunderbolt of a drive which flew into the top corner of the net leaving King rooted to his spot. The sheer power of the shot left the crowd gasping.
Just three minutes later and Meakin hit another pile driver which King tipped over the bar with a stunning reflex save. New Mills were now in total control and with just 12 minutes remaining the linesman spotted that Fildes had petulantly kicked out at Callum Dempsey. The referee had no hesitation in producing a red card.
There now seemed little doubt that a winning goal would come and with just 4 mins remaining who else but Vinnie Braine cleverly lobbed the ball over Gavin King to score his 6th goal of the season and to keep his impressive run going of scoring in the last five matches. |
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The home side were once again warmly applauded off the pitch at the end of yet another great day's entertainment.
NEW MILLS; Whittle, Lees, Dignan, Dempsey, Jackson, Morrison, Meakin, Ward, Jordan, Braine, Mather subs; Fitzpatrick, Blackburn, Lugsden.
Padiham's keeper Gavin King clears from Adam Mather
The Reserves recorded yet another excellent win at Ashton Athletic where they won 3-0. The scorers were Done 2 and Prodromis. They have now played 8 games all away from home and only lost one.
It is back to cup action on Saturday when New Mills travel down to Staffordshire to face Newcastle Town in the League Cup. A coach will be leaving Church Lane at 11.30 and it is hoped there will be a lot of support for them as there is isn’t a game at Church Lane.
The Reserves are away at FC United who play on Abbey Hey’s ground. |
