Saturday 29th September
King Carlos Rules: Millers 6 - Padiham 1

New Mills produced their best performance under Tony Hancock – and their best for many a year – when they comprehensively overwhelmed fellow promotion rivals Padiham at Church Lane on Saturday.

It was a performance, which had the best home league gate of the season simply purring at the sheer quality of the play shown by the men in black and amber.

Straight from the kick off the Millers took the game to their opponents. With the match barely 2 minutes old Carlos Meakin fired them ahead with a superbly taken goal. A few minutes later and Garry Kharas hit the woodwork.

Hit-man Kharas was not to be denied for long though and he sent in an unstoppable header from a pin point Adam Mather cross on 14 minutes Ironically, the visitors had an excellent chance to have levelled matters shortly before the second goal but the chance was missed.

Carlos Meakin then produced some sheer magic and hit the post with another exquisite piece of individual play. The third goal, which effectively killed off the game cam on 41 minutes when skipper Mike Ryan rose majestically to head home a corner kick.

The second half started off a little quietly – understandably as the play in the opening 45 minutes had been breath taking, and the fourth goal came via Joe Shaw with a textbook corner kick on 57 minutes.

The visitors scored a consolation goal after 72 minutes when High Peak based youngster Danny Dignan fired home.  The home side then suddenly surged forward again in waves. A fifth goal came from Carlos Meakin with a great chip on 84 minutes.

It was man of the match Meakin who scored the final goal in stoppage time when he completed a hat trick from close range, and duly scored his 8th goal of the season.

Understandably there was a rousing ovation from the crowd of 206 at the final whistle. On paper this looked to be a tricky game with the opponents lying just above New Mills in second place in the table.

Millers boss Tony Hancock said after the game “It was a complete all round performance. Personally, I have seen this coming for a few weeks now. We must not get carried away as it is very early days at the moment. However, I believe the key to this side is the fact that most of the players are so versatile, in that they can and will happily play in any position that is asked of them”.

The result was by no means an accurate one in lieu of the way that the team totally dominated the match. If the team can maintain this kind of form then the gates will steadily increase even more.

NEW MILLS: George, Bromley, Mather, Ryan, Dempsey,  D Jackson, Meakin, Hooper, Kharas, Butterworth, Shaw. SUBS: McGill, Nevins. S Jackson.  Attendance 206.

This Saturday the Millers travel down to Eccleshall in Staffordshire. Top club Kirkham and Wesham are involved in the FA Vase, so if the Millers win they will go top of the table and still have a game in hand.

The Reserves continue to climb the table and they had an emphatic win 5-2 at Daisy Hill on Saturday. This weekend they will be at home to Padiham Reserves.

Carlos Meakin's shot hits the upright - mouseover

Garry Kharas receives the pass

Dean Butterworth races after the ball

Millers skipper Mickey Ryan scores goal #3

Dean Butterworth controls the pass

Joe Shaw's corner beats the defence for Millers 5th goal

Monday 24th September
Millers Rain on Chaddy's Parade: Chadderton 1 - New Mills 3

Monsoon rains led up to kick off, making the game an even trickier proposition, but New Mills started the brightest and carved out a couple of good chances straight from the kick off. Chadderton however, took the lead with just five minutes gone when a weak back pass was held up in the standing water with the ball toe-poked below the advancing Barrie George in Miller's goal.

The visitors then continued to press for an equaliser, which came from the penalty spot, courtesy of Carlos Meakin. Callum Dempsey made a fine run from inside his own half which although came to nothing, gave the home side a taste of things to come, and when Meakin emulated Dempsey's run on 40 minutes, the ball was placed inside the post under a heavy challenge.

Barrie George denied the home side a shot from the right wing with a good stop as he clattered into the post for his troubles and the Millers maintained the advantage leading into the break. Chadderton had a lot more possession during the second period but Miller's defence was resolute. Nevins was replaced by Butterworth and following another good save by George, Stuart McGill was introduced on the right wing and it was the two subs who combined to finish the game with an exquisite cross from McGill finding Butterworth in space to confidently slot the ball home.

Richard Gresty, Mark Lees and Stuart Williams were all rested for this game, and it's hoped they will be contenders for the visit of Padiham this coming Saturday, kick off is at 3:00pm, and all are welcome.

Saturday 22nd September
Millers out of Vase: Bridgenorth 3 - New Mills 2

FA Vase 2nd qualifying round

New Mills went crashing out of this seasons FA Competitions at Bridgnorth and supporters are still a little mystified as to how this happened.

A mad five-minute spell of poor defending sent the team into the half time break with an uphill task to which they very nearly succeeded.

Firstly, the state of the pitch on the Shropshire sides ground was not great. It was very hard and extremely bumpy. However, both sides started brightly and it was Town who struck first when leading scorer Gareth Horler scored on 5 minutes after chasing what seemed a long innocuous ball.

The Millers responded in the right positive fashion and deservedly drew level through teenager Rhys Nevins on 18 minutes. For the next few minutes the home team were a little on the rack, but they then scored twice in the 26th and 29th minute both from set pieces.

Their second goal came via Millers skipper Mike Ryan who could only deflect an excellent ball past Stuart Williams. Within two minutes and Horler bagged his second again as a result of a great cross into the Millers penalty area.

Whatever Tony Hancock said during the half time cup of tea seemed to work. New Mills began to press and it was no more than they deserved when Nevins grabbed his second from close range on 54 minutes.

Although they continued to press they could not grab the goal which would have taken the game into an extra thirty minutes.

At the final whistle the home fans were jubilant, but one got the feeling that New Mills should have been good enough to see off their opponents.

The team are back in action on Monday when they will be hoping to keep their unbeaten start to the league campaign intact. On Saturday Padiham visit Church Lane for what should be a mouth-watering encounter. Remember, Padiham finished just above New Mills last season in third place, and if the Millers are to gain promotion then one feels that these positions should be reversed this time around.

Monday 17th September
New Mills Res 1 - Glossop North End Reserves 3

Glossop Reserves came to Church Lane as the current Reserve Division leaders, having already taken 16 points from a possible 18. They returned home with another three points, but knew they had been in a contest. This was a game all about finishing. New Mills enjoyed more possession, created more chances, but it was Glossop who were more clinical, and turned the few chances they had into goals.

Former Miller; Ryan Radford challenges Jake Taylor

New Mills made five changes to the team that started two days earlier against Kirkham, and this seemed to have a positive effect as Millers took the game to Glossop and played the majority of the opening half hour in the Glossop half. Some early Millers pressure led to a corner which was cleared by the Glossop defence, and fell outside the area to Aji Khan, but his long range effort flew over the bar. Two minutes later and Glossop had their first chance of the game, when some good work down the left saw their forward cut inside and try to lob the advancing Miller's keeper, but this was just high and wide of the goal.

Then followed a 20 minute period of sustained New Mills pressure. First Phil Ainscough had a shot blocked and the ball fell to Jake Taylor on the edge of the area, but his shot was deflected across goal for a corner. On 16 minutes Lee Bromley fired in a cross from wide on the right, which turned into a fine shot and was just tipped over the bar by the Glossop keeper. A minute later and another longe range effort from Phil Ainscough flew just wide of the upright. The Millers pressure was causing a bit of panic in the Glossop defence, and a poor backpass put the keeper under pressure, but he just managed to scramble the ball away for a corner. On 23 minutes New Mills won a free kick 30 yards out, and Adam Brindle's low range effort was deflected just wide for yet another corner. Two minutes later and Glossop finally manged to get the ball near the Millers goal to win a corner, but this was poorly taken and ended up running out for a New Mills throw. Now it was becoming end to end as first Lee Bromley had a long range effort over the bar, and then Glossop fired a shot high and wide. On 29 minutes New Mills fell to the sucker punch. A long punt downfield from the goalkeeper was flicked on by a Glossop head and fell to the number 10, who controlled the ball, turned and fired an unstoppable shot from 25 yards past the despairing dive of the Millers's keeper and into the net to make it 1 - 0 to Glossop. This effort should be included on the list for goals of the season scored at Church Lane.

Chris Sibson on the ball

This goal only increased the New Mills work rate and another 10 minute period of sustained pressure proved fruitless. Then it happened again! Some good work down the Glossop left flank, ended with a cross into the area which found two Glossop players unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, and was met with a powerfull header, which despite getting a hand to, Miller's keeper Chris Fidler was unable to keep out of the net.

Glossop NE 2nd Goal

Two chances, two goals and Glossop led 2 - 0. So against the run of play half-time came with New Mills having had the greater number of chances, but were two goals down.

Glossop kicked off the second half, and immediately moved the ball downfield but fired a shot wide of the Millers goal. New Mills then created a couple of chances of their own as first the Glossop keeper tipped a header over the bar, and then a Jake Taylor cross shot flew just over. On 51 minutes some more good work down the Glossop left, saw the ball played inside to the Glossop number 10, who fired a strong dipping shot just over the bar from 20 yards.

New Mills then made a double substitution and both players were involved in the next Millers chance. First Daniel Kitchen played an excellent through ball to Adam Blackburn who was away down the right wing only to be upended by a Glossop defender to concede a free kick. This was taken into the Glossop area, and after clattering around like a pinball with a series of shots blocked, the ball was eventually cleared out of the area and fell to Michal Biczysko whose first time shot flew just wide of the near post. On 62 minutes Glossop managed their third effort on target, but this was easily collected by the Miller's keeper who was smartly out of his goal six minutes later to block a ball played over the top to the Glossop striker. A minute later and Adam Blackburn had a great chance to reduce the deficit when he was through on goal and tried to take the ball round the keeper as defenders hurriedly tried to get back to defend the line.

Bomber in action

New Mills kept up the pressure, and on 68 minutes sub Daniel Kitchen made a strong run up the middle of the pitch and played the ball out wide right to Jake Taylor whose low cross evaded the Glossop keeper and Danny Kitchen who had continued his run, slid in to knock the ball into an empty net to bring it back to 2 - 1. New Mills then went looking for the equaliser, and following a series of throw-ins up the right wing, Jake Taylor fired in a low shot which the Glossop keeper made a smart save at his near post. The resulting corner was played into the Glossop area and bounced along the six yard line needing only a touch for the equaliser but managed to evade everyone and bounce away to safety.

Glossop managed a shot over the bar from a corner on 74 minutes, but then followed another period of pressure from New Mills, desperately trying to find a second goal. However with three minutes to go, a ball was played over the top to find a Glossop striker who looked offside, but was now one on one with the Miller's keeper. His first shot was well blocked but the ball spun away still inside the area, and just as Miller's keeper Chris Fidler scrambled across and got one hand back on the ball, a Glossop player slid in and put the ball in the net to make it 3 - 1. Into injury time and another ball played over the top by Glossop, fell to their number 10, who this time looked at least 5 yards offside, but his attempted lob was deflected wide by a glancing header from the Millers keeper.

So the game finshed 3 - 1 to Glossop who had four chances on target ansd scored three goals. Both teams played with plenty of endeavour played some good football at times, and whilst New Mills enjoyed the greater possession and created more chances, it was Glossop who returned home with three points.

Millers Team: Chris Fidler (GK), Lee Bromley, Chris Sibson, Stephen Land, Adam Brindle, Matthew Cotton, Jake Taylor, Aji Khan, Adam Blackburn, Phil Ainscough, Danny Carter. Subs: Luke Smith (GK), Daniel Kitchen (52 minutes for P. Ainscough), Michal Biczysko (52 minutes for M. Cotton), Mark Allen (71 minutes for A. Khan), Tom Byrne.

Report - GloveMan; Photos - Infomaniac

Saturday 15th September Nevin's Nails 'Em: New Mills AFC 2 - Kirkham & Wesham 1 New Mills produced their best win of the season so far when they beat top of the table side Kirkham and Wesham. Incredibly, this was the first away defeat in a league game since February 2005 for the newcomers to the Vodkat North West Counties League – a remarkable achievement.

Steve Jackson surges forward

The game was one of immense excitement and was non-stop action for the full ninety minutes. The home side were straight out of the blocks after the kick off and they went ahead in the 4th minute when Adam Mather fired in a thunderbolt, which took a deflection and flew into the net. This was the third successive game in which Mather has scored. The Millers continued to press and could have added to their lead a couple of times in the next ten minutes. Gradually, the visitors began to find their feet and by the end of the half they were enjoying plenty of possession and territory, but not creating anything serious.

Dean Butterworth heads over Dougie Shaw

The second half started as the first had for the home team as they looked to increase their lead. Just like the first period, Kirkham then began to get their game back on and they pressed forward in an attempt to get back on level terms. New Mills did look dangerous on their breaks, but in the 78th minute the Fylde based club drew level. A great ball was played into the area and there were two Kirkham players on hand, one of which was Wane, to plant the ball into the net.

The Millers who suddenly upped their game dismissed any thoughts of the game ending all square. With just five minutes remaining Rhys Nevins received a magnificent long ball from Mike Ryan. He calmly took the ball down and danced around the goalkeeper. He still had work to do though as there was a defender between him and the goal. A coolly-placed shot was enough to send the home fans into a noisy reception.

Rhys Nevins beats keeper Matt Kirkham to score Millers 2nd goal - mouaseover

There was still time for the visitors to miss a chance to bring the scores level, but in the end the Church Lane fans cheered loudly as the final whistle blew. Credit must go to both sets of players for the high standard of football that was on display. The match was played at a blistering pace throughout, and it is easy to see why Kirkham and Wesham are favourites to clinch promotion at the end of the season – on this form the Millers will be up there as well. New Mills now remain the only unbeaten side in league matches in their division.

Joe Shaw blasts the ball goalwards

NEW MILLS: Williams, Lees, Gresty, Dempsey, Jackson D, Ryan, Meakin, Shaw, Kharas, Butterworth, Mather subs; Nevins, Jackson S. Attendance 156

Carlos Meakin back in defence

Joe Shaw attacks

Dean Butterworth chases the ball - mouseover

The month of September is a very busy and difficult one for the Millers. This weekend they are off on their travels once again when they play down at Bridgnorth Town in the FA Vase. A coach will depart from the ground at 10.30 and the fare is £5. Supporters are asked to contact the club for availability. On Monday evening if a replay is not required then the Millers will travel over to Chadderton.

The Reserves went down 2-1 at Kirkham and Wesham with the goal being scored by Zojak. They will be at home on Saturday when Colne visit Church Lane.

Tuesday 11th September
Oldham Town 2 - New Mills AFC 2

The Division Two Trophy finalist met again for the first time since that fateful night last April, but The Millers were denied an away win with a late equaliser at the Whitebank Stadium.

New Mills started at a brisk pace with Dean Butterworth, Garry Kharas and Rhys Nevin spearheading a 4-3-3-formation, but despite having the lions share of possession, the home side scored first from 30 yards with 5 minutes of the half remaining.

The Millers then stunned Oldham with 2 goals before the break, with Adam Mather's Van Persie-esque volley flying into the top left corner and with Garry Kharas latching onto a well taken free kick, eight yards out.

Garry Kharas heads above Towns keeper

Dean Butterworth controls the pass

Town's keeper saves the shot from Garry Kharas

Dean Butterworth swerves to avoid challenge

Garry Kharas rises

Both sets of supporters were questioning some strange refereeing descisions during the interval and this seemed to play a key part throughout the second half, the game was at times stop start or never pulled back when decisions felt warranted and when one of many contentious free kicks fell Oldham's way, the equaliser came as Miller's appeals fell on deaf ears.

Nevertheless, both sides remain unbeaten, but the Millers will surely feel the most dissapointment, although Mather's stunning goal was worth the journey alone.

The Senior team are in action again this coming Saturday when New Mills entertain Kirkham & Wesham at Church Lane, kick off is at 3:00pm, and all are welcome.

Saturday 8th September
Millers in Great Cup Min: Stapenhill 0 - New Mills 2

FA Vase 1st Round Qualifying.

New Mills moved into the next round of the FA Vase with a competent display when they beat Stapenhill, the Burton on Trent based side. It was the fourth time in two seasons that Tony Hancock’s team had beaten a team from higher than themselves in the non-league pyramid system, and three of them have been away from home.

The Millers scored twice in the last 20 minutes through Adam Mather and Dean Butterworth. The game overall was a fairly even affair and at times very tense. It was the visitors who were making the better chances and for a time it looked as though the match might end in stalemate.

In the next round the Millers will again have to travel. This time they go down to Shropshire to face Bridgnorth Town who are a step below them in the pyramid. However, it will not be an easy game as they are currently second in their respective league.

Saturday 8th September
Taylor Tames Latics: New Mills Reserves 4 - Ashton Athletic Res 0

Millers Reserves followed up their excellent performance away at Nelson last week with an entertaining first half performance that saw them lead by four at half time. However, the second half failed to live up to the first, and some enforced substitutions and some strange refereeing decisions broke up play and neither team managed to play much fluid football.

New Mills again started the match very brightly, and in only the second minute following two Millers corners. Matt Zojac played the ball across the area for Chris Sibson to rise at the far post and loop a header over the Ashton keeper which hit the crossbar and fell invitingly to Jake Taylor (seen right) to prod home from close range. 1 - 0 to Millers.

On 6 minutes Ashton had their first shot at goal, which saw a long range effort sail over the bar. Four minutes later, and it was a carbon copy of last-week's match when persistent play by Matt Zojac saw him rob the Ashton defender on the edge of the centre circle, and turn to home-in on goal. His shot was well parried away by the Ashton keeper, and Jake Taylor's follow-up effort flew wide of the right hand post.

Jake Taylor

Millers kept up the early pressure, and on 15 minutes Daniel Kitchen played a lovely through ball straight into the path of Jake Taylor, who from a wide angle in the penalty area hit a powerful right foot shot across goal and into the far corner. 2 - 0 to Millers.

Bomber Blackburn - mouseover

New Mills kept up the pressure and after some excellent individual play, Bomber was unlucky to see a great ball through to Matt Zojac wasted after the referee blew up for offside. Ashton finally managed to get the ball into the Millers half and won their first corner of the game on 22 minutes, which came to nothing.

Two minutes later and Ashton were forced to substitute their keeper through injury, and the first meaningful action the replacement had was to pick the ball out of the net, after Michal Biczysko's initial shot was blocked, but he followed up to fire a low shot under the keeper and in to make it 3 - 0.

Five minutes of Ashton pressure followed, which saw a low shot fly just wide of the post, and a curled effort from the edge of the area rebound to safety off the far post. The match was sealed on 37 minutes when Luke Gale picked himself up from being fouled, and played a long free kick into the Ashton area, Jake Taylor nipped in front of the keeper and back headed the ball past the keeper and into an empty net to complete his hat-trick and make it 4 - 0 to New Mills. Jake was unlucky not to grab his fourth goal two minutes from half time when Matt Zojac pulled back a cross ball, and his smart turn and shot flew just over the bar.

The second half started scrappily, but on 54 minutes a ball was played across the edge of the area to Bomber who hit a fierce drive against the crossbar which would probably have ripped the net had it gone in. Neither team was getting hold of the ball and play was moving from end to end as both teams struggled to hold onto possession. Luke Smith was smartly out of the Millers goal on 57 minutes to collect a ball at the striker's feet, and a minute later it was the Ashton keeper who somehow managed to make a save using most parts of his body to juggle the ball away to safety.

The next ten minutes saw the most contentious issues in the game and the substitute Ashton keeper was lucky to stay on the pitch. First the referee decided to give a handball against Miller's substitute Stewart Kay, which the fans in the area loudly told the ref he might have made the wrong decision. Then more loud protests followed when the Ashton keeper clearly picked up the ball a yard outside his area, and instead of being booked, the ref happily waved play on. A minute later the Ashton keeper came charging 30 yards out of his goal, to make a clearance but failed to touch the ball, however he did manage to take down Stewart and stop him advancing on goal. In most cases this would have been a straight red, but the ref brandished only a yellow card. If this had been added to one the keeper should have received just earlier for handball, he would have been off anyway, so he was lucky to stay on the pitch.

On 72 minutes Stewart Kay had the best chance of the second half when a great through ball from Aji put him through one-on-one on the keeper, who managed to beat the shot away to safety. He was lucky to have still been on the field to make the save!

With four minutes remaining, Ashton managed their first meaningful shot on target and the Millers keeper made a confident stop at his far post.

So the game finished 4 - 0 and the second half didn't quite live up to the promise of the first, but again it was a solid defensive performance that didn't allow Ashton much sight of goal. Some strong challenges, good passing and lively running saw Millers play some entertaining football and record their second straight win, and notch up the first home victory of the season.

Millers Team: Luke Smith (GK), Stephen Land, Chris Sibson, Tom Byrne, Luke Gale, Michal Biczysko, Daniel Kitchen, Aji Khan, Jake Taylor, Matt Zojac, Adam Blackburn. Subs: Stewart Kay (51 minutes for D. Kitchen), Matthew Cotton (59 minutes for M. Biczysko), Billy Gallagher (68 minutes for L. Gale), Joe Ingham, Mark Allen.

Report by GloveMan. Photos by Stuart Howard.

Saturday 1st September
Millers Bow Out of Cup: New Mills 1 - Atherstone 3

FA Cup Preliminary Round.

New Mills went crashing out of the FA Cup at Church Lane on Saturday against a good Atherstone Town outfit.

However, it was not the usual Millers performance and at times they seemed to struggle to get their rhythm.

It was the Warwickshire side that started the brighter and hit the woodwork in the opening minutes. They took the lead on 9 minutes when a fairly innocuous ball was played into their area and Roy Dunckerley pounced to open his account for the afternoon.

Dunckerley scored 75 goals in the last two seasons and he was to prove the main difference between the two clubs. New Mills tried in vain to get back on level terms during the rest of the half.

However, 10 minutes after the restart they did score. A long throw in was well headed across goal by Rhys Nevins and there was Stuart McGill to nod home from close range.

The game was all set up then for a storming Millers finale, and they began to press. A badly worked short corner was their ultimate undoing as possession was given away and the visitors swept up field and Dunckerley notched his second goal.

Garry Kharas covered by Town's Ezekiel Tomlinson and skipper Leigh Everitt

New Mills once again tried to draw level and a Kharas shot hit the defenders arm and went out for a corner – the referee saw it otherwise and he awarded a goal kick. Once again Town moved the ball forward and that man Dunckerley completed a fine treble.

In truth the real difference was his finishing, but Atherstone looked a competent side and they just about deserved to win the game. Several of the New Mills team did not look their usual selves, but credit to the opposition who defended resolutely all afternoon.

The consolation for the Millers was a best gate of the season of 234, and they will be hoping that the Millers can bounce back from this, their first loss of the current season.

This Saturday New Mills travel to Stapenhill – who are in the same league as Atherstone – in the FA Vase. A coach will leave the ground at 11.30 and supporters are urged to book early due to the demand.

Manager Tony Hancock will be looking to bounce back and see his side progress into the next round. Extra time will be played and if the scores are level then the game will be replayed on Monday evening at Church Lane with a 7.45 kick off time.

The reserves won their first game of the season by a 4-0 margin at Nelson. The scorers were Aji Khan, Adam Brindle and a brace from Matt Zojac. This Saturday they are at home against Ashton Athletic.

Mickey Ryan goes in high above Town's #6 Ashley Wells

Richard Gresty passes to Adam Mather

Town's Chris Tullin keeps pace with Adam Mather

Garry Kharas closely marked by Ezekiel Tomlinson