Saturday 19th April
New Mills 4 - Darwen 0

With promotion secured at Padiham earlier in the week, leaders New Mills recorded their eighth successive League victory as they crushed Darwen 4-0 at Church Lane on Saturday.

In a game as one sided as the score line suggests, The Millers dominated the game from the start and even when leading scorer Carlos Meakin missed a glorious chance to open the scoring in the first minute, he quickly made amends shortly after when following a pass from strike partner Kenny Mayers, Meakin was left one on one with Darwen keeper Callum Hennigan and he tucked the ball confidently into the net.

Left winger Adam Morning was the danger man and he constantly tormented right back Matt Howarth and he nearly doubled the advantage when he again easily beat the Darwen defence but his shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded directly into the arms of the grateful Hennigan.

Two goals shortly after the half hour killed the game off for The Millers – firstly following good work from Joe Shaw, Adam Morning again easily beat his marker and after drawing the keeper, he unselfishly passed the ball to Meakin who had the simple task of scoring his second goal of the afternoon as well as his 30th for the season.

Two minutes later, Morning was then rewarded for his outstanding first half performance when he acrobatically volleyed in a Kenny Mayers flick to effectively wrap the three points up.

There was no let up for the visitors after the interval as the hosts created chance after chance and really should have scored more than the one goal although the best was certainly saved until last. Kenny Mayers picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and in one movement swivelled and sent a left foot shot arrowing into the bottom corner. This was Kenny’s 10th goal since signing for The Millers in February and he has certainly become a fans favourite in that time.

With two matches remaining of the season, a win at home to Chadderton next week would probably seal the title for The Millers as they currently have a superior goal difference to second place Kirkham and Wesham.

Team – Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, D Jackson ( S Dignan ), Hooper, Shaw ( D Dignan ), Knight ( Zajac ), Mayers, Meakin, Morning. Unused subs – George, S Jackson.

Next Saturday, the first team entertain Chadderton, 3pm kick off. The game has been designated as Fans Flag Day and all Millers supporters are urged to bring along their banners and flags to decorate the surrounds of the ground - sensible and non-offensive flags only please!!

Following the game a Family Race Night has been organised to take place in the clubhouse starting at 7pm so please feel free to bring along the children to what is always an enjoyable evening.

New Mills AFC are pleased to announce that they have secured a prestigious pre-season friendly against Coca Cola League 2 side Macclesfield Town. The game will be played at Church Lane on a date to be confirmed.

Wednesday 16th April
Millers Going Up: Padiham 1 - New Mills 3

New Mills secured promotion to North West Counties Division 1 on Wednesday night following a deserved victory at Padiham. The Millers made a very bright and positive start to the game with the returning Carlos Meakin having a big influence on proceedings. In a hectic opening, the visitors had no less than four chances to take the lead when Meakin, Lee Bromley, Joe Shaw and Bromley again were denied in quick succession by a mixture of desperate goal line clearances, good goalkeeping and lucky deflections. Almost immediately, Padiham were penalised by the referee when their goalkeeper was deemed to have picked up a deliberate back pass and The Millers were awarded an indirect free kick twelve yards out but this was blocked by the defensive wall.

Carlos Meakin celebrates his opener

New Mills were not to be denied for long though and their early superiority was rewarded when they opened the scoring in the 15th minute when following a flowing move down the right featuring Matty Taylor, the impressive Lee Bromley and Joe Shaw, the ball ended up at the magic feet of leading scorer Carlos Meakin on the edge of the box and he duly crashed the ball into the bottom corner for his 28th goal of the season.

Despite being on the defensive for much of the first twenty minutes, Padiham equalised when Chris Ridehalgh took advantage of an uncharacteristic mistake by skipper Micky Ryan by dispossessing him in the penalty area and scoring past Stuart Williams.

Adam Morning piles on the pressure

This setback seemed to spur The Millers back into action and they restored their advantage eight minutes before half time when winger Adam Morning cut in from the left and his subsequent shot should probably have been saved by Padiham's keeper, but he let the ball squirm under his body, thus ensuring that the visitors lead 2-1 at the interval.

New Mills were forced into an early second half substitution when Lee Bromley was forced off with a dead leg and his departure seemed to disrupt things for a while as the home side pressed for another equaliser but thankfully The Millers defence held firm and their efforts were rewarded when the game was effectively killed off fifteen minutes from time. A quick counter attack saw the ball passed to substitute Steve Jackson and he delivered a lovely ball right onto the head of striker Kenny Mayers who majestically rose to head the ball past the keeper.

Kenny Mayers races in for Steve Jackson's cross and heads in Millers 3rd goal

The Millers comfortably saw out the remainder of the game and the final whistle was greeted by both supporters and players alike as a season's hard work was successfully rewarded but the celebrations have been out on hold for a couple of weeks as The Millers still need seven points from the remaining three home games of the season to mathematically guarantee the title.

Team - Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, D Jackson, Hooper ( Zajac ), Bromley ( S Jackson ), Shaw, Mayers, Meakin, Morning ( D Dignan ). Unused subs - George, S Dignan

The boys on cloud nine

Danny Dignan swerves round his marker - mouseover

Monday 14th April
Millers Reserves 4 - Oldham Town Reserves 0

As expected, Millers Reserves faced a different Oldham Town Reserve team on Monday night than the one they narrowly lost to at the Whitebank Stadium last week in the reverse fixture. Millers had to make a few changes to their normal line-up due to work commitments, meaning some absentees and some players playing out of position, but the team performed well and notched up a convincing and confidence building victory ahead of next weeks Reserve Cup semi-final.

The game started at a frantic pace with both teams seeking an early goal. Oldham had the first attempt in the first minute easily saved, Millers replied a minute later with a corner from Jake Taylor that bounced off the frame of the goal. Back up the other end and Oldham were caught offside, then Scott Dignan made a timely tackle to block another Oldham shot, back down the other end and Stewart Kay played in Danny Carter only to see his right foot shot sliced wide. Two minutes later and Stewart Kay himself fired just over the corner of the goal, after a neat turn in the area, from a Millers throw.

Millers finally got the scoreboard moving in the 9th minute when Adam Blackburn broke down the left and cut inside heading for goal but was brought down on the edge of the area, as the referee waved away Millers claims of a foul, Blackburn picked himself up and poked the ball across the edge of the area to Stewart Kay who hit a first time shot on the turn with his left foot, and watched it head through a crowd of players just inside the far post for 1 – 0.
Oldham kicked off, Millers won the ball back, Jake Taylor headed straight for goal past a number of Oldham players and fired a left foot shot from the edge of the area past a stationery Oldham keeper, to find the corner of the net for 2-0. Two minutes later and Millers won a free kick 45 yards out from which Danny Dignan hit his effort wide of the right post. On 14 minutes an Aji Khan run resulted in a corner out on the right that Danny Carter swung in and the Oldham keeper punched out from under his bar for another corner on the other side. This time Jake Taylor swung the ball in from the left and Chris Sibson was on hand to prod the ball in at the far post. Fifteen minutes gone and Millers were three up.

Back came Oldham with a new wave of attacks. The first was lofted high over the Millers bar, the second was ruled offside, and the third was repelled by a timely David Silcock clearance. Oldham then won a series of free kicks but some good defending from the Millers keeper and his defence, and some poor Oldham shooting kept the Miller’s goal intact. Blackburn was denied by a good save from the Oldham keeper five minutes before the break, and Oldham fired another free kick over the bar just before the whistle.

The second half started as the first had begun, but in the 49th minute after chances for both sides, Stewart Kay made a break up the right wing only to be brought down by a crude challenge from the Oldham number 8 who was given a straight red card by the referee. Although Oldham were down to ten men this didn’t much change the state of the game as the ball moved from end to end with both sides creating chances to add to the goal tally.

On 76 minutes Oldham made another break towards the Millers goal, and a cross from the right saw the Oldham forward with some space inside the Millers area, but his shot was well saved by the Millers keeper Chris Fidler’s foot. The ball was cleared to Jake Taylor who played the ball upfield to Adam Blackburn in space and he fired the ball under the advancing Oldham keeper to make it 4-0. Millers kept pressing for another goal, but claims for a penalty after Jake Taylor had been fouled in the area were waved away, then Danny Carter’s free kick was well saved at the foot of his post by the Oldham keeper. In the final few minutes, substitute keeper Luke Smith made a good stop at his near post but at the final whistle Millers Reserves ran out deserved winners 4-0.

Millers Team:Chris Fidler (GK), Adam Brindle, Chris Sibson, Scott Dignan, David Silcock, Danny Dignan, Jake Taylor, Aji Khan, Adam Blackburn, Stewart Kay, Danny Carter. Subs: Luke Smith (GK) (80 minutes for C. Fidler), Billy Gallagher (58 minutes for S. Kay), Chris Thornley (75 minutes for A. Khan)

Saturday 12th April
Holker Old Boys 2 - New Mills 3

New Mills grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat with two late goals in a remarkable game in Cumbria on Saturday, meaning that they require one point to secure promotion to Division 1.

Despite most other games in the Division being postponed due to the recent adverse weather, the two teams kicked off in brilliant sunshine and the hosts started the game well and were virtually unrecognisable from the team that lost 9-0 at Church Lane only three weeks ago.

New Mills goalkeeper Stuart Williams featured in the first controversial action of the afternoon when he picked the ball up outside his area and whilst not denying a goal scoring opportunity, he was relieved to see the referee only give him a yellow card when a red could easily have been shown.

Despite playing uphill and into the wind, The Millers slowly started to get into the game and a flowing move between Micky Ryan and Adam Morning left Lee Bromley with a chance at the back post, albeit from an acute angle, which he fired straight at the keeper.

Holker took the lead in the 16th minute when a huge kick from goalie Sam Stephens was misjudged by centre half Danny Jackson and this left Joe Murphy clean through on goal and he confidently scored past Stuart Williams.

The Millers were level ten minutes later when Danny Hooper swung in a free kick from the right and Micky Ryan rose highest to head the ball past Stephens who went down in slow motion and several instalments and duly failed to prevent the ball from nestling in the corner of the net.

The home side continued to test New Mills’s defence and they created a number of chances but a combination of poor finishing and last ditch clearances ensured that the scores remained level until the stroke on half time when Micky Lomax brought down an attacker in the box and the referee showed possible leniency by again only cautioning the defender. Chris Squirrel sent Stuart Williams the wrong way from the spot kick to ensure that Holker lead at the interval.

The Millers started the second half with the slope and wind in their favour and nearly levelled proceedings twice in the opening minutes but Melford Knight’s shot was well saved and then Lee Bromley shot over when well positioned.

Holker were always dangerous on the break and the longer the half went on and despite making two attacking substitutions, The Millers were beginning to get frustrated and it appeared as though they would be making the long trip home pointless.

Then came the dramatic late finale. The three officials started to make some bizarre decisions mainly against the home side and this lead to bookings galore for dissent as virtually every decision was verbally challenged.

With the ninety minutes nearly up, The Millers grabbed an equaliser when substitute Joe Shaw broke through the Holker defence and squeezed the ball just inside the post and there's no doubt that the visitors would have taken a point from a game in which they were far from their best.

Following a number of stoppages in which both physios were kept busy, the referee indicated there would be in the region of seven minutes of added time and in the fourth of these, The Millers were dubiously awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box and Adam Morning’s delivery was glanced in by substitute Matt Zajac which lead to wild celebrations and the goalscorer was booked for his over-exuberance.

Holker, who at this point had already had one of their coaching team dismissed from the dug out, argued furiously with the referee over the awarding of the free kick which lead to the goal and goalkeeper Stephens was sent off for dissent and he was quickly followed by centre half Glen Capstick, who then appeared to knock the red card from the official’s hand as he left the pitch.

These dismissals meant further additional time was played and in total the second half lasted a staggering 56 minutes but The Millers hung on to complete a remarkable recovery and to move to within one point of promotion.

Team – Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, D Jackson ( S Jackson ), Hooper ( Shaw ), Bromley ( Zajac ), Knight, Kharas, Mayers, Morning. Unused subs – George, Ward

The Millers travel to Padiham on Wednesday night where a large travelling contingent is expected to hopefully see the team secure promotion and then next Saturday, they entertain Darwen, kick off 3pm.

Tuesday 8th April
Oldham Town Reserves 3 - New Mills Reserves 2

This game was very much a game of two halves, two teams and a referee called “Simpson”. Millers Reserves made only a couple of changes from their last game, whilst Oldham Town fielded a much strengthened team from the last time the two sides met, including their First Team joint leading scorer, a certain Mr. Scanlon! However it was Millers who looked the stronger side in the first half, as they were more committed in the tackle, and looked hungrier for the ball, but in the second half some key injuries, a lack of match fitness and some one-eyed refereeing decisions, saw a stronger Oldham side take the spoils.

Following some early sparring with Adam Blackburn heading a looped header just wide after the Oldham keeper failed to clear with any distance a poor backpass, it was the Millers keeper who nearly gifted Oldham the first goal. Charging out of his area to clear a through ball, Barry George ended up in no mans land and it was only some good defensive blocking that prevented the Oldham forward from a clear shot on goal. David Silcock fired over the Oldham bar on thirteen minutes, but it was New Mills who took the lead a minute later from the resulting goal kick. Danny Carter picked up the ball deep in his own half, and ran three quarters of the length of the field before firing in a near post cross from the left wing, which Adam Blackburn eased in between the post and the keeper to make it 1-0.

New Mills were certainly the better team at this stage, and it was the 20th minute before Oldham had their first shot on target, but Barry George collected easily. From the resulting clearance, Adam Blackburn created some space for himself on the edge of the Oldham area, but only managed to slice his shot wide. On the half hour mark, Danny Dignan had to leave the field after failing to shake off a knock to be replaced by James Elmore. Elmore’s first action was to win the ball back in midfield and play a lovely through ball to Matt Zajac. Zajac advanced on goal at pace, put the full back on his backside and unleashed a fierce shot which the Oldham keeper did well to parry away only to see Blackburn follow up and fire his second into an empty net for 2-0.

Oldham continued to struggle in front of goal just missing the corner flag with one effort, and putting one out for a throw a few minutes later. Two minutes before half-time and Millers thought they had extended their lead. James Elmore again won the ball in midfield, and laid the ball out to Danny Carter whose cross was knocked out for a corner. From the corner the keeper lost the ball and Chris Sibson headed goalwards only for the ball to be scrambled away by the Oldham defence, Millers appeals that the ball had crossed the line were unsurprisingly waved away by the referee. Oldham did manage a shot on goal just before the half time whistle which the Millers keeper did well to palm away.

New Mills had to bring on their second substitute at half time after Matt Zajac picked up a hamstring injury. Millers started brightly in the second half winning a corner, which the Oldham keeper punched clear, only for Mike Ward to head just over. The signs that Oldham were coming back into the game were evident a few minutes later when they made a good break down the left wing, playing the ball to a forward free in the Millers six yard box, but Barry George threw out a left hand to make a good stop from the resulting shot. Four minutes later and Oldham halved the deficit when an innocuous looking right wing cross was despatched into the corner of the net from the edge of the area by the Oldham number 10.

The Millers keeper made another good save on 64 minutes as Oldham increased the pressure, but three minutes later and Oldham won a corner which was cleared for a corner from the other side of the pitch. This time the ball was scrambled clear but from a hopeful punt back into the area, the referee adjudged that a Millers hand had touched the ball, which must have been a good spot considering the number of players in the box. Although he went the right way the Millers keeper failed to keep out Scanlon’s penalty, whose second goal of the evening brought the scores level.

On 75 minutes Oldham took the lead following a free kick from the right which was headed back across goal and bundled into the net to make it 3-2. Millers then had to make their third substitution following an injury to David Silcock, and a minute later Adam Blackburn could only hobble round after picking up an injury effectively taking Millers down to ten men.

Millers looked tired in the second half, suffering from not having played for over two weeks and struggled to match their first half performance against a strong Oldham team. They kept going to the end but couldn’t pull themselves level, Oldham’s victory celebrations at the end showed how hard they had had to work for their victory. The two sides meet again at Church Lane next Monday evening, and with Oldham’s First Team playing the following night, I am sure it will be a much changed Oldham side that turn out that night!

Millers Team:
Barry George (GK), Stephen Land, Steven Jackson, Chris Sibson, Scott Dignan, David Silcock, Danny Dignan, Mike Ward, Adam Blackburn, Matt Zajac, Danny Carter. Subs: Luke Smith (GK), James Elmore (30 minutes for D. Dignan), Stewart Kay (45 minutes for M. Zajac), Adam Brindle (75 minutes for D. Silcock), Aji Khan.

The planned Reserves Division Cup semi final was postponed following Ashton Town and Colne drawing their quarter final game and with the replay due to take place this Tuesday, this has meant the semi final being rescheduled for Monday 21st April.

Saturday 5th April
Bootle Stripped of Points: New Mills 2 - Bootle 0

New Mills maintained their recent good form with a clinical 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Bootle in an entertaining game at Church Lane on Saturday.

The Merseysiders were forced to wear The Millers white away strip, after their own kit
failed to arrive on time when the vehicle carrying it suffered a puncture. Once the game finally started, the visitors made a quick, bright start.

The Millers nearly broke the deadlock after ten minutes, when following a corner from the right, centre-forward Garry Kharas headed against the angle of the crossbar and post and the rebound was cleared.

Garry Kharas wins the high ball

Bootle keeper prevents Garry Kharas header

The remainder of the first half was a cagey battle with the visitors reminding the home spectators why they had qualified for two Cup Finals this season with some quick, incisive counter attacks, whilst The Millers were always dangerous with Kharas and Player of The Month Kenny Mayers proving a handful up front.

Following a goalless first half, The Millers started the second half in determined fashion. Despite a decent shout for a penalty when Mayers was seemingly brought down in the area, the referee gave a free kick right on the edge of the box and the resultant set-piece resulted in Bootle’s keeper Mark Mawdsley making a good save from leading scorer Carlos Meakin.

However, The Millers were not to be denied for long and took the lead in the 48th minute when Mayers continued his recent good run of form when after picking the ball up on the edge of the penalty area, he cleverly chipped the ball over the Bootle keeper to register his eighth goal in five games.

Kenny Mayers scores Millers 1st - mouseover

Almost immediately from the kick off, Bootle were awarded a penalty following a foul by centre-half Danny Jackson, but the resulting spot kick was scuffed wide of the upright, much to the delight of the Millers faithful.

Stuart Williams saves penalty

Following this near miss, The Millers doubled their advantage just after the hour when Bootle’s keeper flapped under a challenge from Garry Kharas following a deep cross and the ball fell invitingly to leading scorer Carlos Meakin who drove the ball into the net for his 27th goal of the season.

Shortly after, Meakin had the chance to kill the game off when the home side were awarded a penalty. Substitute Lee Bromley played a ball down the left which the Bootle defender tried to guide out of play but Kharas beat him to it and the resulting foul lead to a spot kick which Bootle’s keeper saved with his out-stretched legs.

Carlos Meakin's penalty is saved

Both sides continued to create several chances towards the end of the game but The Millers defence, superbly marshalled by goalkeeper Stuart Williams, held firm to record a fifth successive clean sheet.

Despite the chasing pack starting to catch up with their games in hand, New Mills’s lead at the top of Division stands at a very healthy fifteen points and with all their promotion rivals having a packed schedule for the remainder of the season, The Millers are hopeful that they can secure the seven points required which will ensure promotion to Division 1.

Team – Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, D Jackson, Knight, Meakin, Shaw ( Bromley ), Mayers ( Zajac ), Kharas, Morning ( S Jackson ). Unused subs – George , Hooper

Millers under pressure

Joe Shaw attacks

Micky Lomax clears

Mike Ryan heads away the cross