Saturday 30th September
New Mills 1 - Darwen 2

New Mills are preparing for arguably their biggest test of cup football for many decades this weekend when they host two contrasting cup games on their Church Lane ground.

On Saturday they entertain Stratford Town in the next stage of the FA Vase competition. Their visitors from Shakespeare Country are a good side with an excellent cup pedigree, and this will prove to be an interesting encounter for the Millers who have already tasted success in the FA competitions this season.

Then on Monday evening they will entertain high flying Matlock Town of the Unibond Premier Division in a Derbyshire Senior Cup tie. This will give Tony Hancock’s men a chance to show themselves against a team from three leagues above them in the pyramid system.

Millers Martin McDonald steps onto the new pitch for the 1st match along with proud young mascot. Right Scott Dignan defends >>

Last Saturday the Millers opened their home account with a disappointing result against highflying Darwen when they went down by a 2-1 score line.

This was a game where they should have perhaps done a little better, and indeed they had a golden chance to gain a share of the spoils. It was the former league club who started the brighter, and they took the lead on just 5 minutes when a seemingly innocuous ball was not cleared and Steven Shackleton calmly shot home.

The Millers hit back immediately and it was no surprise when on 12 minutes they drew level. Martin McDonald cut into the penalty area and drove in the equaliser.

Martin McDonald powers in Millers goal

There were a couple of half chances for the homesters before the final whistle but the men from Darwen held on for a precious three points which keeps them in third place in the table.

Mark Lees puts in long cross - mouseover

New Mills will undoubtedly rue their missed opportunities, and yet they have also to learn that they cannot afford to give away goals, as they appear to be doing at the moment.

On the plus side was the magnificent attendance of around 200, and the club will be hoping that these will come again for the two important cup games this weekend.

The Second team have continued with their impressive start to the season with a good 3-1 win at Atherton LR on Saturday. The scorers were Ward, Done and Benney.

Teams observe minutes silence in memory of the late Phil Hampson much loved committee member

Saturday 23rd September
Great Win in Vase : Wellington 0 - New Mills 2

New Mills will play their first home of the season on Saturday when they entertain highflying Darwen at Church Lane. There has been extensive drainage work carried out on the pitch, and everyone is looking forward to seeing this exciting side of Tony Hancock and Paul Kirkham finally getting to play on it.

Last weekend the terrific start to the current season continued in fine style with an emphatic win away at Herefordshire outfit Wellington thanks to two late goals.

After the very long journey it was understandable perhaps that the Millers took a little time to get into their stride, but gradually they began to create opportunities.

With the return of last seasons leading scorer Vinnie Braine back at the club – he has had a short spell at Cheadle – and the signing of centre back Callum Dempsey – himself a former New Mills youth team player – both were in the starting line up. Adam Mather was tried at left back and he had an outstanding game. Young Danny Carter slotted in on the left wing, and along with Martin McDonald as usual in command in the middle of the park the team was very well balanced.

With the first half at a stalemate, the men from the High Peak began to take control of the game for the second period. There were two guilt-edged chances for Braine and Persechino, but both were wasted. Along with a number of half chances it seemed as though they may regret missing them especially when Boyle was called upon to save smartly at the other end.

Finally, with the match seeming as though it might go into extra time the Millers struck. A run from Carter down the left and a pull back for Mather who crossed the ball for Carl Alford to send a crashing header past James Morgan and into the net.

From then on it was really a one-way contest – although Danny Amies with eight goals already to his credit this season remained a constant threat. The second goal was scored by another substitute, Mark Lees blasting the ball in from an acute angle.  This was a great result against a team who played a lot of good football, and on another day could easily have caused an upset.

And so New Mills will be at home in the next round, which is on Saturday 7th October to  Stratford Town from Warwickshire. Supporters will no doubt be hoping for another good cup run as they have had in the FA Cup.

The game on Saturday should be a cracker with Darwen having only lost once so far in the league, and the Millers will be hoping to start off at home with three points.

In the Derbyshire Senior Cup New Mills have a plum home tie against mighty Matlock Town who are currently having a great season. It promises to be a great night and the date has been set for Monday 9th October with a 7-45 kick off.

Saturday 16th September
Brave Millers Bow Out of Cup : Glossop NE 3 - New Mills 1

F A Cup 1st Qualifying Round.

New Mills run in this seasons FA Cup competition came to an end on Saturday when they faced local rivals Glossop North End at Surrey Street. Although the Millers lost they came mighty close to giving the Hillmen an almighty shock.

Adam Mather crosses - mouseover

This was the first meeting between these clubs in the competition for 27 years, and it turned out to be an absolute thriller in front of a huge crowd of 430. It was the home side who started the livelier and it came as no surprise when they went ahead in the 21st  minute following a poorly defended corner and Hamilton scored..

New Mills were struggling to compose themselves in these early exchanges, but gradually Martin McDonald began to gain control of the midfield. It was McDonald who twice in the space of five minutes had goal-bound efforts deflected - the second of which looked to be heading into the corner of the net only for team-mate Rob Jordan to deflect it away.

The closest the Millers came to scoring was when home custodian Williams - who had an excellent game - made his only mistake when dropping a high ball. In the melee that followed the ball was kicked off his goal line by a defender.

The Glossop players and supporters were relieved to hear the half time whistle so they could regroup as the men from the other side of Chunal Moor looked as if they were going to equalise at any moment.

Stuart McGill beats the challenge and passes the ball

The break did the trick, as the game was much quieter for the next ten minutes, with Boyle being the busier of the two goalkeepers. However, as in the first period the Millers began to press and there were a number of chances being created. Just when it looked as though the game was to be decided by a solitary goal, the equalising goal came. The ball came into the North End box and was scrambled away where McGill cleverly headed it back into the danger area. Rob Jordan was denied by an amazing save from Williams, but he could not prevent the same player steadying himself before lifting the ball into the roof of the net.

Almost immediately the home side regained the lead. There appeared to be a foul on McDonald in the centre of the pitch, but the referee waved play on and a great run by Blackshawe - easily the North End’s best player - finished with a slide-rule pass to Sam Hind, who made no mistake.

Last ditch attempt as Millers keeper Joe Boyle sees his header palmed away by Stuart Williams

There was still time for real high drama in the 95th minutes. New Mills were awarded a corner and up came goalkeeper Boyle. Amazingly it was he that powered in a header, which looked to be a certain leveller. However, Stuart Williams made the save of the season to fingertip the ball up into the air. The ball hit a blues defender on the line and was then blocked by another. The ball was punted up field where the home forwards ran towards an unguarded goal. Boyle was still running back as the third goal was slipped in.

This was cruel luck on New Mills as the whistle blew just seconds later. Both teams were warmly applauded off the field after what had been a pulsating cup-tie. The Millers will rue their missed opportunities, but that was the difference between the two sides. Best wishes to North End in Monday’s draw.

The players, managers and committee would like to thank the New Mills supporters, who numbered around 200, for their backing at the game.

This weekend the Millers make a long trip down to Herefordshire when they face Wellington in the FA Vase. Manager Tony Hancock will be hoping to maintain the great start the team has made. A coach will leave Church Lane at around 9.30 and supporters who are interested in making the trip should contact the club house.

Stuart Williams denies Adam Mather
	Jamie Fitzpatrick (upper) - Lee Morris (lower)

Saturday 9th September
Winsford United 2 - New Mills 0

The performance by New Mills last week was disappointing, with Winsford rarely troubled. The score line was about right on reflection of play. The best chance for the Millers came just before the interval when the game was still scoreless with Carl Alford turning smartly in the area and firing just wide of the target. The team was as follows; Boyle, Bromley, Fitzpatrick, Jackson, Dignan, Persechino, McGill, Morris, Alford, McDonald, Mather subs Ward, Fleury, Cole.

Stuart McGill rides the challenge

Stuart McGill up for Millers free kick

Adam Mather blasts his way between two Winsford players

Jimmy Persechino under pressure

Joe Boyle gathers the ball from Winsfords corner

Winsford keeper covers Millers attack

Millers goal pressured in closing minutes

Saturday 2nd September
Pickering Town 0 - New Mills 1 : Cup Kings Millers do it Again

FA Cup Pre Round

New Mills sensational start to this season continued in fine style on Saturday when they sent Pickering Town crashing out of the FA Cup on their own ground in North Yorkshire. Make no mistake about it, this was no fluke result as the Derbyshire side thoroughly deserved to progress through to the next stage where they will travel to near neighbours Glossop North End in what is surely the tie of the round. Pickering Town are in the Northern Eastern Counties Premier Division and are a very good side – just ask Buxton who were beaten at home last term by them. Credit must go not only to the players, but also to the management duo of Tony Hancock and Paul Kirkham for their reading of this game, and also the strength in depth that is in their squad. Mike Ryan and Lee Bromley were both ruled out before the game and Martin McDonald is still a week or so away from his first start of the campaign. The match was played in quite atrocious conditions of driving rain and a strong wind and the Millers had this to their advantage in the first half. The best chance for the Derbyshire outfit came in the fifth minute when Adam Mather cut in from the left but dragged his shot just past the far post. Gradually the home side began to gain control of the midfield and their passing was neat and precise. However, the Millers back four-held firm and were rarely troubled. In fact the best chance the Pikes had in the whole game came just before the break when with only the goalkeeper to beat the home forward shot tamely into Joe Boyle’s hands. It was during the break that Hancock and Kirkham having had the chance to take a good look at their opponents decided to changed the strategy of the New Mills side when they brought on Carl Alford for Ashley O’Leary Jones to join Rob Jordan up front. Almost straight from the kick off New Mills began to pour forward and the chances began to come thick and fast. Firstly Jordan should have done better with only the goalkeeper to beat from six yards, but the custodian, although falling the wrong way, stuck out a boot and deflected the ball clear.

Scott Dignan intercepts Lee Morris takes on two Pikes players

Next Lee Morris who was absolutely magnificent in the midfield role he is currently filling jinked his way forward and sent in a rasping drive which Carl Silburn threw himself to his right to palm away – it was a stunning save. Just seconds later and Morris was again denied when Silburn saved smartly at the near post.

Carl Alford rises for high ball with Pikes captain Dean MacAuley

Carl Alford had an excellent chance during this spell of play when New Mills were really pressing on the home goal. Just when it looked as though the Millers might rue these misses they scored what can only be described as a textbook goal.

The ball was fed into the box and Alford brilliantly shielded the ball before laying it off to Stuart McGill to swivel past the defender and unleash a fierce low drive, which flew into the net via the far post. This was McGill’s fourth goal in just four appearances this season and it was a fantastic effort. What a player! And what a goal! The Millers fans behind the goal went delirious with delight.

Stuart McGill blasts in another goal for the Millers - and watches as the shot goes home (mouseover)

There were further chances for a second goal and at least one claim for a penalty, which was turned down. To be fair to the home side they did push for a leveller in the dying minutes and a shot landed onto the top of the crossbar. But, despite having to play around six minutes added on time the visitors held firm.

One cannot underestimate the start that New Mills have made to this season. All five matches have been played away from home and they have resulted in four wins and a draw. In this prestigious competition they have won away at two sides that play their football in a higher league than themselves. The Glossop game is something to really look forward to for both clubs, but the Millers are focussing again on the league when they travel to high flying Winsford United on Saturday.

Millers players applaud the supporters as led off by skipper Scott Dignan

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

The Second Team earned themselves an excellent point with a goalless game at Colne. They have no match this weekend.