Tuesday 26th February
Ashton Athletic 1 - New Mills 0

New Mills suffered only their second league defeat of the season at a cold and windswept Brocstedes Park, Ashton in Makerfield on Tuesday night.

The Millers with the wind in their favour started very brightly and forced a succession of early corners mainly through the attacking of the recalled Lee Bromley. The home goalkeeper looked very uncertain in dealing with the set pieces but the visitors couldn't quite make the breakthrough.

Shortly after, left back Shaun Roscoe had the best effort of the first half when he unleashed a stunning 30 yard shot which had the keeper beaten but unfortunately the ball smacked against the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

The remainder of the first half was a scrappy affair with both teams struggling with the conditions but Ashton created their best chance of the first half moments before the interval but Stuart Williams made a decent save and ensured that the first half remained goalless.

Ashton immediately seized the control of the game after the break as they used the conditions to their advantage. The first goal was always going to be crucial in deciding the outcome of the game and Ashton broke the deadlock in the 70th minute when chunky substitute Paul McVeigh scored with a firm header with literally his first touch of the game.

Despite the introduction of three attacking substitutes, The Millers found it difficult to break down the resolute Ashton defence.

Captain Micky Ryan was once again the driving force for the visitors in another commanding performance at centre half and it was he who nearly levelled the scoreline with a wonderful, jinking run past several defenders but luck deserted him when with the keeper beaten once again, the ball hit the crossbar and agonisingly looped over the crossbar.

Ryan was at the centre of a late flashpoint in the game when following mazy run, he was crudely taken out by a two footed tackle. The referee thought otherwise and bizarrely played on.

The final whistle blew shortly after and whilst New Mills certainly didn't deserve to win the game following an untypical lacklustre performance, they probably deserved a share of the spoils after another good defensive display in adverse conditions.

Team - Williams, Lomax ( Knight ), Roscoe, Ryan, Jackson, Hooper ( Shaw ), Meakin, Bromley, Kharas, Bingham ( Mayers ), Shaughnessy

Unused subs - George, S Dignan  

The first team had no fixture on Saturday but return to action this Tuesday - 4th March - with a trip to Bootle followed by their first home game in six weeks on Saturday where Ashton Town are the visitors - kick off 3pm

Saturday 23rd February
New Mills Res 3 - Ashton Town Res 0

Millers supporters watching the Reserves today, saw a definite goal of the season contender, and arguably one of the best goals ever scored at Church Lane! This goal set Millers Reserves on their way to a comfortable 3 – 0 victory against Ashton Town Reserves that saw them climb to the top of the table for the first time in 2008. This was a nice birthday present for yesterday for Millers Reserves Manager Gareth McLelland, who according to inside information was "21" again!

Ashton had the first effort on goal, but a long-range shot flew high and wide. Millers should have gone ahead two minutes later when Danny Dignan played a long ball upfield, which Adam Blackburn controlled and took past the advancing Ashton keeper only to see his goalbound shot cleared off the line by the defender. Jake Taylor did score from the resulting corner but the referee ruled the goal out for an earlier push in the box.

Millers keeper Chris Fidler was then called into action at the other end. First he was out bravely to smother a ball at the feet of the advancing Ashton striker, and then blocked a shot with his foot, as the ball broke loose in the area following another Ashton attack. He then started the next Millers attack with a long free-kick given for an Ashton offside, which Jake Taylor controlled well and put in an excellent cross only for Danny Carter to see his powerful header just clear the crossbar. Two minutes later and Danny saw a shot cleared off the line, then Adam Blackburn created the next Millers chance when he beat three defenders inside the area, only to see his shot cleared by the Ashton keeper.

Danny Carter races forward

On 22 minutes Mike Ward was fouled near the right touchline, and Danny Carter hit a superb free kick, which sailed over everyone only to rebound into play off the crossbar and the follow up header flew just over. Both sides created a few half chances in the remainder of the half. Mike Ward pulled a shot wide on the half hour mark from the edge of the Ashton area, and four minutes later Ashton had their best chance when a long-range dipping shot from their number 9 landed on the roof of the Millers goal and the half was played out to finish goalless.

Mike Ward's shot blocked by James Fearnley - select pictures to see enlargement above

Calls in the first half for the Ashton keeper to change his shirt, were finally met at half time when he changed his gold coloured shirt which had meant he had looked remarkably like a New Mills forward for most of the first half, to wear a red shirt and become more visible. This change obviously helped the Millers team as now instead of passing to him, they could identify who to get the ball past! Then four minutes into the second half, that goal! The Ashton number 5 was rightly booked for crudely bringing down Jake Taylor in the centre circle. Danny Dignan took the resulting free kick long to Danny Carter on the left touchline. Danny chested the ball back to Steve Jackson who hit a first time volleyed cross which was again met first time by Adam Blackburn and his left foot volley scorched past the Ashton keeper to make it 1-0. From leaving the floor in the centre circle the ball never touched the floor until it hit the back of the net, some goal and was one of those “I was there” moments!

Adam Blackburn challenges

This goal fired the Millers team into action. James Elmore and Kevin Swift were cutting out any Ashton attacks in midfield and creating opportunities for the whole team to push forward. On 57 minutes a Danny Dignan free kick was met in the Ashton area by Chris Sibson, whose first shot was blocked and his follow-up was straight at the keeper. Two minutes later and Adam Blackburn hit the side netting, and his next chance a looping header, was well tipped over his bar by the Ashton keeper.

Danny Dignan challenged by James Fearnley

Danny Dignan created panic in the Ashton six-yard box from the resulting corner that was cleared to David Silcock whose shot flew over the bar. The Ashton keeper had to be out smartly on 67 minutes to smother a dangerous Millers ball into his area, but two minutes later he was left with no chance following some fine individual play in the corner by Danny Dignan that allowed him the opportunity to play in a near post cross which was met by a firm Adam Blackburn header for 2-0.

Steve Jackson and Danny Carter were combining well down the left wing, and this led to Millers third goal when Steve Jackson played a ball inside to Jake Taylor who laid it into the path of substitute Aji Khan who finished well at the second attempt to make it 3-0. Aji had another chance on 75 minutes to double his goal tally, but the Ashton keeper made another good save to push the ball away from goal.

Millers finished strongly and created more chances in the last fifteen minutes, but couldn’t add to the scoreline. This was a good all-round team performance by Millers Reserves especially as a couple of players were playing out of position, and they fully deserved their 12th win of the season, and third clean sheet in four games.

Millers Team:
Chris Fidler (GK), Danny Dignan, Steven Jackson (capt), David Silcock, Chris Sibson, James Elmore, Mike Ward, Kevin Swift, Adam Blackburn, Jake Taylor, Danny Carter. Subs: Luke Smith (GK), Aji Khan (59 minutes for K. Swift), Stewart Kay (74 minutes for M. Ward), Joe Ingham (78 minutes for J. Elmore), Billy Gallagher.

Millers Reserves next game is next Saturday 1st March away at Atherton LR Reserves 3.00pm kick off.

Jake Taylor rides the challenge - mouseover

Mike Ward header

Saturday 23rd February
Blackpool Mechanics 0 - New Mills 1

New Mills recorded a tenth successive away League victory after a tense but ultimately rewarding trip to Jepson Way, Blackpool on Saturday.

The game's kick off was brought forward following vandalism to the ground's floodlights. New Mills took to the field with two full debutants in their side, left back Shaun Roscoe who signed from FC United of Manchester and left winger Ryan Shaughnessy who was deservedly promoted to the starting eleven following his cameo substitute appearance at Ashton Town the previous weekend.

The game was dominated from start to finish by a powerful wind which swirled around the ground and this made passing football virtually impossible for both sides.

With the conditions dictating the game's flow , the first goal was always going to be crucial and The Millers thankfully made the important breakthrough in the 23rd minute. Whilst the goal won't win any end of season awards, it may well turn out to be one of the most important scored. Goalkeeper Stuart Williams launched a goal kick onto the head of Garry Kharas whose flick landed at the feet of his strike partner Anthony Bingham who clinically beat the Blackpool keeper from just inside the box and in front of the jubilant travelling fans.

The Millers defence, superbly marshalled by captain Micky Ryan and Danny Jackson, comfortably dealt with anything that the home side offered and the half time whistle blew with the visitors leading.

If anything , the wind's force increased during the second half and despite the player's best efforts, the ball regularly sailed out of the ground. Goal scoring efforts were therefore at a premium but Kharas and Bingham both had the chance to wrap the game up for The Millers but narrowly failed to do so.

Following a couple of bold substitutions by the home manager where defenders were replaced by attackers, Blackpool came strong in the final few minutes and despite the unjustified addition of seven minutes injury time , The Millers recorded another win and at the same time increased their lead at the top to twelve points.

The defensive unit of Stuart Williams, Matty Taylor, Micky Ryan and Shaun Roscoe were impressive but New Mills's undoubted Man of The Match was centre half Danny Jackson.

Team - Williams, Taylor, Roscoe, Ryan, Jackson, Hooper, Meakin, Mather, Kharas, Bingham, Shaughnessy

Subs - George, Bromley, Shaw, S Dignan, Zajac

The team is once again on their travels this Tuesday (26th February) when they face a re-arranged League fixture at Ashton Athletic. The players have the weekend off as the League haven't scheduled a game but the team is back in action on Tuesday 4th March when they face a sixth consecutive away trip, this time to Bootle.

Saturday 16th February
AshtonTown 0 - New Mills 4

New Mills consolidated their lead at the top of North West Counties Division Two with a resounding 4-0 victory at Edge Green Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield on Saturday.

Despite the overnight sub-zero conditions, the pitch was very firm and the bounce of the ball along with the frequent whistling by the referee ensured that the first half  remained goalless as neither goalkeeper was really tested.

New Mills had the slight slope in their favour in the second half but the game's turning point came just after the interval with the introduction of striker Anthony Bingham, newcomer Ryan Shaughnessy and Lee Bromley. Left winger Shaughnessy constantly tormented Ashton's right back and put some great crosses into the danger areas but they weren't converted by the Millers strike force. 

The deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute when Garry Kharas beat the offside trap to give the leaders a crucial one goal lead. Straight from the kick off, Lee Bromley dispossessed an Ashton player and went on a buccaneering run through the home side's defence and was only denied by a last-ditch tackle. The ball broke kindly to Shaughnessy who delivered an inch perfect cross onto the head of Kharas who beat the keeper for the second time in a minute.

New Mills had taken the sting out of the game with with the two quick goals and Ashton was a beaten side. Despite their constant handball appeals and questioning of the referee's decisions, the official did the home side a favour when he denied The Millers a clear penalty when lively striker Bingham was upended in the area by the onrushing keeper but the ball again broke to Shaughnessy who crossed the ball to Kharas who completed his hat-trick with a fierce shot and at the same time became the Division's leading scorer with 21 goals in a very productive debut season.

The icing on The Millers cake came two minutes from time when Shaughnessy completed a fantastic second half individual performance when his cross found the head of Bingham who wrong footed the keeper with a firm header into the bottom corner.

Ashton's resolute defence proved difficult to break down but the victory was a triumph of New Mill’s patience along with their superior skill and fitness. Man of the Match was undoubtedly Garry Kharas but the whole defensive unit took credit for giving goalkeeper Stuart Williams a trouble free afternoon.

The Millers are on their travels again next week when they have a day trip to the seaside to play Blackpool Mechanics.

Team - Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, Jackson, Hooper, Meakin, Knight, Kharas, Shaw, Mather
Subs - Bingham, George, Bromley, Roscoe, Shaughnessy

Saturday 16th February
Blackpool Mechanics Res 1 - New Mills Res 4

Blackpool Mechanics Reserves, who have already had thirteen points deducted this season, have obviously been struggling for players. The fact that they had to sign a couple more before the match, only had eleven players plus one sub, a First Team player returning from injury, and had a fourteen year old playing up front all led to a rather bizarre match. This coupled with a Manager who appeared reluctant to have a ball on the pitch, and who took over the linesman’s duties in the second half obviously to keep the score down by flagging for offside at every opportunity, led to a frustrating game for the Millers team.

The game kicked off on a bright sunny day on a pitch that had obviously been rolled during the week, meaning it was flat and hard which led to the ball bouncing and bobbling making it difficult to bring under control. Millers had the first attack of the game leading to a Blackpool defender clearing the ball out of the ground. As the referee indicated for another ball to be brought on, the Blackpool Manager replied that he had only brought one ball with him and all the others were still in the dressing room. The Millers team kindly loaned the game a ball, whilst the Blackpool Manager slowly trudged across the pitch to fetch reinforcements. Two minutes after the re-start Danny Carter was taken out by the Blackpool Captain halfway up his thigh, resulting in a free kick but no action on the offending player by the referee. Danny Dignan floated the kick into the area only to see the Blackpool Captain nearly score an own goal just managing to head the ball over his bar for a corner.

Two more attempts on goal from Danny Dignan and Steve Jackson were wide of the target, but Millers took the lead on thirteen minutes when Kevin Swift found Rhys Nevins on the edge of the six-yard box and his miskicked shot deceived the Blackpool goalkeeper to make it 1-0. Blackpool nearly drew level straight from the kick off as they played the ball up the right wing, and put in a cross that found an unmarked Blackpool forward who blasted his shot over the bar. Three minutes later and Millers had extended their lead. Some good ball control right on the dead-ball line by Rhys Nevins saw him beat the defender and pull a ball back for his strike partner Matt Zajac to deflect the ball past the keeper and in for 2-0.

Blackpool had their best chance on 25 minutes when a through ball saw their striker clear on goal. His first shot was well blocked by Millers keeper Luke Smith who was up quickly but Steve Jackson just got in front of him to throw himself at the ball and block the rebound. Rhys had a couple of opportunities to increase his goal tally just after the half hour. His first an attempted lob over the advancing keeper was just tipped clear with his left glove, the second saw a sliced shot fly well wide. A minute later and the Blackpool keeper made another good save with his foot after James Elmore had put Danny Dignan through on goal. Millers had another opportunity as the Blackpool keeper charged out of his area to clear a through ball but failed to head clear, and as Rhys took a touch he didn’t quite get the ball under control and his shot beat the two covering defenders, but passed just wide of the post. On 38 minutes Matt Zajac set up Daniel Kitchen to play a dangerous ball in which was cleared by the Blackpool number two for a corner. Danny Carter took it short to Steve Jackson who passed it back and Danny’s curling cross was met with a firm back header by Scott Dignan to make it 3-0. Danny Dignan chanced his arm with a 50 yard free kick just before the break, but the Blackpool keeper had it covered.

Millers should have had a penalty three minutes into the second half, when the Blackpool defender nearly caught a right wing cross, but as he had done all afternoon apart from blowing up for offside, the referee waved play on. Four minutes later Matt Zajac lobbed the advancing keeper, but the Blackpool captain managed to clear his goal bound shot. Amazingly the referee did give a decision in Millers favour just before the hour, when Blackpool did find the net but had the goal ruled out for offside. Millers extended their lead three minutes later when Scott Dignan met a Blackpool goal kick with a firm header, the ball found its way to his brother and he curled a strong right footed shot over the keeper from the edge of the area to make it 4-0.

There followed a frustrating half hour as the Millers forwards were constantly given offside. Blackpool had brought their First Team sub on and he gave their team a bit of added quality. He had seen a shot fly over the bar and had another saved, before he latched onto a right wing cross with a first time shot from the edge of the area, to give the Millers keeper no chance as the ball flew past him and in. Danny Dignan crashed a shot off the bar right on ninety minutes, but as the referee blew the final whistle, the game finished 4-1 and another three points were successfully claimed. However a disappointing end to the match as the players returned to the dressing room!

Millers Team:
Luke Smith (GK), Daniel Kitchen, Steven Jackson (Capt.), Chris Sibson, Scott Dignan, James Elmore, Danny Dignan, Kevin Swift, Danny Carter, Matt Zajac, Rhys Nevins. Subs: Chris Fidler (GK), Stephen Land (54 minutes for D. Carter), Adam Blackburn (54 minutes for R. Nevins), Joe Ingham (66 minutes for C. Sibson), Billy Gallagher.

Millers Reserves next game is at home this Monday evening 18th February against Flixton Reserves 7.45pm kick off, followed by another home game next Saturday against Ashton Town Reserves.

Saturday 9th February
Daisy Hill 0 - New Mills 1

New Mills strolled to victory on Saturday with a convincing victory against lowly Daisy Hill.

Despite the heavy conditions and uneven playing surface, The Millers dominated the game from start to finish and the tone was set early on with Adam Mather and Garry Kharas creating good opportunities.

The opening goal came in the tenth minute when Joe Shaw cut in from the right and after his shot hit the crossbar, the ball fell invitingly to Carlos Meakin who acrobatically converted the rebound for his 20th goal of the season.

The visitors continued to create chances and Kharas soon had the ball in the net again but the linesman, who despite the shouts from the travelling New Mills fans was already wearing glasses, dubiously disallowed the goal for offside. However, The Millers powerful centre forward wasn't to be denied for long as on the stroke of half time, he bundled the ball past the hapless keeper to double the advantage.

The second half was eight minutes old when the third and final goal of the afternoon was scored by Joe Shaw who beat the offside trap and toe poked one past the onrushing keeper. With the points safely in the bag and the home side getting a little bit over physical, The Millers made three quick substitutions, one of which saw the introduction of new signing Ryan Shaughnessy, who signed from Maine Road earlier in the week. 

So New Mills triumphed over Daisy Hill for the ninth consecutive time and with title rivals Oldham Town and Ashton Athletic failing to win and Kirkham and Wesham playing in the FA Vase, The Millers increased their lead to a healthy eleven points. 

The Millers are again on their travels next week with a trip to Ashton in Makerfield to face Ashton Town. 

Team - Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, D Jackson, Hooper, Meakin (Zajac), Knight, Kharas, Shaw (Ward), Mather (Shaughnessy).
Unused subs - Doxey, Bramley

Saturday 9th February
New Mills Res 3 - Atherton LR Reserves 0

New Mills Reserves carried on where they left off last week in the Cup, with another fine team performance that got them back to winning ways in the League with an easy 3 – 0 win. Atherton LR came to Church Lane worked hard and never gave up, but could have played until tomorrow morning without scoring, Millers controlled the ball and the game, made some great passing moves around the pitch, and the only missing thing was the end product, a few more goals to add to the score-line.

Scott Dignan and Chris Sibson mopped everything up at the back, allowing both fullbacks to join the attack at regular intervals. Every time Atherton did get the ball James Elmore and Kevin Swift won it back in central midfield feeding some great balls out to both wingers who looked sharp and put some great crosses into the danger areas for the front two.

After an exchange of long balls in the opening minutes, Steve Jackson started the period of Millers pressure with a good cross, bundled away at the far post. Adam Blackburn then had a shot blocked and a Danny Dignan free kick for a foul on Rhys Nevins on the edge of the area was deflected over for a corner. A minute later and a little further back, Danny hit a stinging 40-yard free kick wide of the far post. Millers scored on 10 minutes when a Danny Dignan cross was bundled home at the far post by Adam Blackburn, but the referee ruled the goal out for handball.

Millers should have gone ahead on 18 minutes when Rhys Nevins met a good run and cross from the right wing by Adam Blackburn, on the 6-yard line, but he blazed his shot over the bar. Millers nearly paid for this miss a minute later when the Atherton number 7 cut out a Scott Dignan crossfield pass just inside his own half and cantered up the right wing, cut into the Millers area and saw his low cross across goal scuffed wide at the far post.

Warning heeded, Millers camped back in the Atherton half and following a few untaken chances finally took the lead. Stephen Land made a strong run down the right and won a corner. Danny Carter played a long ball beyond the far post, which was tapped back to Rhys Nevins who bundled the ball over the line from close range. Millers continued to create chances for the remainder of the half, with Kevin Swift’s deflected shot just over the bar, probably the closest to extending the lead.

Atherton briefly threatened the Millers goal in the opening minutes of the second half with a dangerous through ball, but Millers keeper Chris Fidler was sharply off his line to clear the danger on the edge of his area. Danger over, Millers moved back into the Atherton half. A great passing move between Danny Dignan, James Elmore and Adam Blackburn resulted in a Millers corner on 52 minutes, which saw Danny Dignan bounce a header off the top of the crossbar from the resulting kick. Two minutes later Scott Dignan played a long clearance to his brother on the right wing, one touch to bring the ball under control and he set off towards the Atherton goal only to be upended right on the edge of the area about 10 yards from the dead ball line. Danny Carter put the ball down and curled a delightful free kick over the wall and the keeper, into the far side of the net for 2 – 0.

Millers then should have had a penalty when the referee waved away claims for a blatant handball in the area, which clearly cut out Danny Dignan’s cross. Atherton were awarded a free kick on 64 minutes but the ball was cleared, and following a four man passing move upfield, Adam Blackburn saw a spectacular overhead kick fly just wide of the far post. Atherton managed their first shot on target after 71 minutes with a free kick around the wall from 25 yards out, easily collected by the Millers keeper. Four minutes later and the Atherton number 8 was lucky to not pick up at least a yellow card when he clearly kicked Kevin Swift after the ball had gone, and then appeared to aim a shot at him as he lay on the ground.

Millers continued to create chances and were passing the ball around the field as though it was a practice match, but they sealed the game two minutes from time following an Atherton free kick. The Atherton captain who never stopped running all game, intercepted a pass in his own half and set off straight at the Millers goal only to be brought down about 35 yards out. The free kick was hit straight into the Millers wall. Jake Taylor broke and played the ball upfield to Rhys Nevins who was brought down at the other end in about the same position 25 yards out. Danny Dignan stepped up and curled the free kick around the wall and past the despairing dive of the Atherton keeper. Game Over!

A good performance in front of a good crowd, a second clean sheet in two weeks and three well-taken goals, brought Millers Reserves their tenth League win of the season. Next week Millers play two games in three days, away at Blackpool Mechanics next Saturday 16th Feb. and at Home on Monday night 18th Feb. against Flixton Reserves.

Millers Team:
Chris Fidler (GK), Stephen Land, Stephen Jackson, Scott Dignan, Chris Sibson, James Elmore, Danny Dignan, Kevin Swift, Adam Blackburn, Rhys Nevins, Danny Carter. Subs: Luke Smith (GK), Jake Taylor (60 minutes for D. Carter), Daniel Kitchen (60 minutes for S. Land), Aji Khan (70 minutes for C. Sibson), Joe Ingham.

Saturday 2nd February
Div 2 Trophy Quarter Finals: Bootle 2 - New Mills 1

New Mills's reign as holders of the Divisional Trophy ended at a freezing New Bucks Park on Saturday. 

Both teams struggled in the blustery conditions, but striker Anthony Bingham was lively up front for The Millers and whistled a shot just the wrong side of the post from outside the box.
Bootle took the lead in the 14th minute when centre-half Callum Dempsey playing in his final game before going to Australia, misjudged the bounce of the ball and the subsequent cross was turned in at the near post by Kevin Black.

The second half started with a replacement referee as the original one was taken ill and one of Bootle's coaching staff running the line. Phil Ainscough came on to replace the injured Bingham at half time and was immediately into the action. From a corner, the ball fell invitingly to Dempsey who drilled a shot past the Bootle keeper only for Ainscough to block the shot on the goal line and to stop a certain equaliser.

Shortly after, manager Tony Hancock made two bold attacking substitutions and the team led by the magnificent Mike Ryan pressed for the equaliser, but in the 66th minute Bootle counter attacked down the left hand side and following a slip by Danny Jackson, Black was left unmarked in the six yard box to score his second goal of the afternoon. 

New Mills grabbed a lifeline in the 81st minute when the referee spotted a pull on striker Garry Kharas's shirt in the box and Kharas confidently scored his 17th goal of the season from the resulting penalty.

Despite laying siege to the Bootle goal in the final few minutes, The Millers couldn't manage to score the equaliser which would have led to extra time and it was Bootle who progressed into the two legged semi final to meet Chadderton.

Whilst disappointed to lose the game, New Mills's priority is undoubtedly promotion and it's back to League business next Saturday when they travel to Bolton to face Daisy Hill.

Team - Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, Dempsey (Bromley), Jackson, Knight, Doxey (Hooper), Kharas, Bingham (Ainscough), Mather.
Unused subs - George, Ward.

Saturday 2nd February
New Mills Reserves 2 - Kirkham & Wesham Reserves 0

Those supporters who braved the cold today, witnessed an entertaining and exciting cup tie, as Millers Reserves hosted Kirkham & Wesham Reserves in their first visit to Church Lane, in the second round of the Reserves Division Cup.

Kirkham arrived boasting the second best defensive record in the Reserves League, and having beaten Millers at home in the league earlier in the season, but they returned home defeated as Millers put on one of their best all-round team performances of the season, to keep a clean sheet and win 2-0.

From the first whistle both teams went looking for the win, and played some fast, fluid attacking football, with the action moving from end to end at a frantic pace. Kirkham kicked off and played an early probing ball which the Millers keeper was out to clear. Millers won a free kick, which was cleared back upfield, and Chris Sibson made a timely tackle to clear the danger. Danny Dignan had a couple of early chances, the first going well wide, the second well cleared by a Kirkham defender. At the other end a ball over the Millers defence was well cleared by the Millers keeper on the edge of his area, then Adam Brindle made a timely tackle to break up another Kirkham attack. On 14 minutes Adam Blackburn cut in from the left and made a surging run towards the Kirkham area, only to be upended on the edge of the box, and the Kirkham number 3 saw the first yellow card of the game. Danny Dignan took the kick which was hit hard and low, and with the aid of a deflection off a Kirkham player in the wall, sent the keeper the wrong way and finished in the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Danny Carter sprints away

Danny Dignan was proving to be the Millers danger man as he had another fierce shot three minutes later, which flew just wide. Back came Kirkham and they enjoyed a ten minute period of pressure, which saw the Millers keeper cut out a couple of dangerous crosses and Stephen Land making a timely tackle to clear a dangerous Kirkham move. At this point Danny Dignan who had looked the Millers most dangerous player picked up an injury, and had to leave the field to be replaced by Aji Khan.

Aji Khan heavy tackled by Gerry Gregoire - mouseover

Just after, a good link up between Rhys Nevins, Adam Blackburn and Steve Jackson whose cross shot had found the roof of the net, Danny Carter made a great break down the left only to be upended by the Kirkham number 3 on the left edge of the area, and following his earlier booking, he was lucky to not see any more cards. Aji Khan’s free kick was cleared for a Kirkham throw in, which was won back by New Mills, and a pass to Matt Zajac was flicked over the defender leaving him one on one with the Kirkham keeper, who threw out a foot to make a great save. Kirkham immediately responded by sweeping back upfield only to find the side netting. The end to end action continued, with Millers having a couple of possible penalty shouts turned down by the ref, Rhys saw a near post flick pass the wrong side of the post and Stephen Land had a long range shot easily collected by the Kirkham keeper. At the other end Kirkham fired a shot well wide and the Millers keeper was out well to claim a dangerous free kick into the area.

Steve Jackson chases

Matt Zajac beats keeper Joe Abbot

Right on the 45 minutes, Kirkham won a corner which was punched away by the Millers keeper Chris Fidler, but his clearance was hit back first time by a Kirkham forward, and back-pedalling towards goal he made a great save from under his bar to tip the ball over for another Kirkham corner. Finally after 5 minutes of stoppage time the whistle blew for half time with Millers leading by the only goal.

The second half started as the first had ended with the ball moving from one end to the other but with Millers starting to gain the upper hand. Danny Carter, Matt Zajac and Adam Blackburn all saw chances saved or hit wide. On twenty minutes tempers flared as a reasonably innocuous challenge ended in a full scale brawl just in front of the Millers dugout. Several Kirkham players threw punches including the Kirkham left back, but the referee finally handed out only one booking to the Kirkham number 7, and the game re-started somewhat surprisingly with a full compliment of players!

Three minutes later Danny Carter had a long shot saved at the second attempt by the Kirkham keeper, then Kirkham headed well over from a left wing cross.

Danny Carter crosses from the corner flag

The game was wrapped up on 71 minutes by a goal worthy of winning any game, when Matt Zajac flicked on a long goal kick to Adam Blackburn outside the left edge of the Kirkham area, and his superb shot across goal found the far corner for 2-0. Play again continued with chances at both ends with possibly the best chance falling to Danny Carter when the Kirkham keeper miss-hit a clearance straight to Danny, but his shot was again well saved by the keeper’s foot. One last chance came for Kirkham to get back into the game on 89 minutes when a crossfield ball was hit first time, but the Millers keeper collected the ball down at his near post.

As in the first half five extra minutes were played, but an entertaining and hard fought game finally finished with Millers the well-deserved victors. So Millers become the first team to progress to the semi-finals and will eagerly wait to see who the opposition will be, but hope for a home draw.

Acrobatic shot from Steve Jackson

Steve Jackson in control

Millers Team:
Chris Fidler (GK), Stephen Land, Stephen Jackson, Adam Brindle, Chris Sibson, James Elmore, Danny Dignan, Danny Carter, Adam Blackburn, Matt Zajac, Rhys Nevins. Subs: Luke Smith (GK), Aji Khan (30 minutes for D. Dignan), David Silcock (53 minutes for A. Brindle), Daniel Kitchen (77 minutes for R. Nevins), Joe Ingham

Millers Reserves next game is at home to Atherton LR next Saturday 9th February 3.00pm kick off.