Thursday 24th April
Atherton LR Reserves 1 - New Mills Reserves 2

Based on current league form, Millers Reserves trip to Crilly Park to face second bottom Atherton LR Reserves should have been a relatively easy three points. However in reality faced with a referee who had obviously left his cards at home and was content with ambling up and down the pitch blowing his whistle now and again, Atherton were able to get away with a little more than the rulebook allows, and stifle some of the flowing football Millers had shown on Monday night in the Cup semi-final.

Millers were forced to make a few team changes from earlier in the week, and in the first half struggled to put together any serious threat on the Atherton goal, but on the positive side the home team were also struggling at the other end. Millers leading scorer Adam Blackburn was nearly forced off the field as early as the fourth minute following a crude challenge from the Atherton number 6, which surprisingly escaped a card. Fortunately with limited options on the bench, Blackburn managed to return to the field after a couple of minutes on the sidelines.

After much huffing and puffing in midfield, it was 17 minutes before either side made any serious attempt at goal, but the Atherton number 7’s shot screwed 15 yards wide of the near post. From the resulting goal kick Millers won a corner at the other end and Chris Sibson’s header over the bar was the closest Millers had come to opening their account. The home team nearly managed that feat on 24 minutes when they swung a corner in from the left hand side to the far post and the Atherton forward headed against a post, Millers keeper on the night Luke Smith made a sharp parry from the follow up header and the third attempt was blasted over the bar.

It was just past the half hour mark when Millers actually got their first attempt on target. Daniel Kitchen played in a floated free kick from the halfway line, but the Atherton keeper easily collected Blackburn’s header. A minute later and route one brought about a positive result. A long kick by the Millers keeper found Blackburn near the left touchline deep in the Atherton half, he cut inside and fired a fierce shot under the advancing Atherton keeper to give Millers the lead with his 24th goal of the season. Millers thought they had extended their lead five minutes before the break when a cross field pass was met by Jake Taylor with a searing volley destined for the top right hand corner of the net, but the Atherton keeper made a fine two handed save to deny Millers from increasing their lead. Atherton fired a shot over the Millers bar right on half time so Millers maintained their one goal lead into the break.

The second half begun straight from kick off with a positive run up the left by an Atherton forward, whose touch let him down inside the Millers area and gave Luke Smith the opportunity to smother the ball at the forward’s feet. Straight down the other end and Blackburn nearly doubled his goal tally when he met a Danny Carter cross from the left about 8 yards out but could only steer his left foot effort wide of the near post.

Chances fell to both sides as the half progressed in a very stop start manner littered with fouls and offsides, but none could find the target. The best chance fell to Atherton on 71 minutes with a free-kick 30 yards out which was well hit over the wall and the Millers keeper made a smart save at his near post for a corner. This resulted in another corner and finally Millers were awarded a free kick for a foul on David Silcock. The kick was taken quickly to Taylor who advanced down the right wing before being cynically taken out by an Atherton defender, again no card. Danny Carter took the free kick from out on the touchline and found Taylor whose glancing header found the back of the net to make it 2-0.

This goal proved to be his last touch, as he was immediately substituted by Chris Thornley. Six minutes later and Billy Gallagher replaced Adam Blackburn who was struggling from his earlier injury, and when five minutes from time Danny Dignan needed replacing it was left to Millers only remaining sub goalkeeper Chris Fidler to replace him up front. A minute later and Atherton won a corner, which was bundled into the back of the net from close range to make it 2-1 and a nervous last few minutes for the Millers. Even more so when they conceded a free kick a minute later, again from 30 yards out, again well hit over the wall, and again well dealt with by the Millers keeper.

Millers managed to play out most of the remaining minutes in the Atherton half and finally claimed all three points in their last away league game of the season as the final whistle blew. So Millers Reserves final league game of the season will be at home next Monday night 28th April, 7.45pm kick off against Daisy Hill Reserves. This then leaves only the small matter of the Reserves Division Cup Final to be scheduled, and with opponents Glossop North End Reserves having to play 7 games in 15 days to complete their league season and play in the Derbyshire Cup Final, it is unlikely that this can be played until after their final game on May 10th. Keep an eye on the club website for further news.

Millers Team:Luke Smith (GK), Daniel Kitchen, Steven Jackson, David Silcock, Chris Sibson, James Elmore, Jake Taylor, Joe Ingham, Adam Blackburn, Danny Dignan, Danny Carter. Subs: Chris Thornley (75 mins. For J. Taylor), Billy Gallagher (81 mins. For A. Blackburn), Chris Fidler (85 mins. For D. Dignan)

Monday 21st April
Reserve Division Cup Semi Final: New Mills Res 6 - Colne Res 1

Colne Reserves arrived at Church Lane on Monday evening trying to reach the final of a competition they won in 2005, but came up against a resolute New Mills team determined to reach the final of the North West Counties Reserves Division Trophy for the first time in the club’s history. Having already beaten strong opposition in Oldham Town and Kirkham & Wesham, Millers reserves started slowly but finally ground down their opposition to take the upper hand and run out 6-1 winners. Colne played the first half with a stiff wind behind them and were looking for the ball over the top towards the Millers box at every opportunity. They looked the more composed of the two teams in the opening exchanges and created the best early chances. The Millers keeper had to be alert in the fifth minute to punch away a Colne free kick and then collect a follow up shot at his near post. On eleven minutes the Colne number 9, who looked a threat all evening, broke down the right and played an inside ball to his strike partner who blasted his shot over the bar from the edge of the Millers area. Millers had their first serious chance a minute later when they won a corner swung in by Jake Taylor, and Danny Dignan headed wide of the near post. It was then Colne’s turn to create a chance from a corner, but the Millers keeper, easily collected an on target header.

Both sides created further chances but the opening goal came in the 23rd minute. Jake Taylor was crudely brought down just inside the opposition half by the Colne number 4, who had been booked nine minutes earlier. Scott Dignan swung in the free kick and the referee made a good spot for a push inside the area, and awarded Millers a penalty. Danny Dignan stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way, and Millers led 1-0.

Danny Dignan's penalty beats Danny Pinder for Millers opener - mouseover

On 26 minutes there was a stoppage resulting in the Colne number 2 limping off the field for a few minutes nursing a leg injury. Two minutes later and Colne could have been level. The lively number 9 broke down the left wing, cut inside, but as he tried to lay the ball back into the six-yard box, Millers keeper Chris Fidler thrust out a left arm and cut out a dangerous looking ball. A few minutes later the unfortunate Colne number 2 was involved in a clash of heads with Adam Blackburn, and suffered a deep gash on his forehead which took several minutes to patch up and get him operational again.

Millers could have extended their lead on 37 minutes following a free kick that was eventually cleared to David Silcock on the edge of the area, but he only managed to slice his shot wide of the right hand post. Two minutes later and Colne should have been level when their number 8 connected with a mis-hit shot from a teammate, but only managed to steer the ball wide of the Millers post. Into injury time and Colne piled on the pressure for an equaliser. A corner was cleared for a throw-in, and from that throw, a dangerous header was tipped over the bar by the Millers keeper. Millers failed to clear the resulting corner and despite the linesman flagging for offside, the referee allowed play to continue and Chris Fidler made a superb save at his near post from point blank range to send Millers in at half time leading by the odd goal.

Goal scorer Steve Jackson brings the ball forward

Millers started the second half with a bit more determination, and after another Colne attack, Millers broke down the other end and Steve Jackson hit a wicked looping shot from 30 yards, which flew over the Colne keeper’s head to double the Millers lead. Two minutes later and Colne were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the Millers area, but the kick was blocked and eventually the Colne number 11 blasted high over the bar from the resulting corner. Danny Dignan then hit the post from another break downfield, but two minutes later and Colne were back in the game, when they were awarded a free-kick which was floated into the Millers penalty area, and the Colne number 6 rose at the far post to head back across goal and in off the far post to make it 2-1.

Danny Dignan on the attack - select pictures to see enlargement above

Following another Colne shot that was well wide of the target, Millers broke down the left, Steve Jackson passed to Danny Carter whose intended cross was handled by a Colne defender two yards outside his penalty area. Danny Dignan curled a delightful free kick towards goal and the Colne keeper only succeeded in palming the ball into the roof of his net for 3-1. This goal fired Millers into life and they started to look the better side as they pressed for more goals.
On 66 minutes just after the Colne Manager had been warned by the referee for abusive language, James Elmore was fouled by the Colne number 9 who was rightly booked for the challenge. Scott Dignan floated in the free-kick which was cleared to the right wing to Danny Dignan who made ground down the flank and fired in a cross to the near post which was met by a powerful Adam Blackburn side-foot to make it 4-1.

Adam Blackburn meets the corner

Colne had to push forward to try and get back in the game, and in so doing were leaving holes at the back for Millers to create further goalscoring opportunities. On 75 minutes Danny Dignan was through on goal to complete his hat-trick but the Colne keeper diverted his shot onto the bar and then was up quickly to collect the rebound.

Danny Pinder punches the ball off Danny Dignan's head

A minute after Danny had limped off the field with an injury, Adam Blackburn raced the length of the field to despatch his shot past the Colne keeper to make it 5-1. Then into injury time and substitute Aji Khan completed the scoring to blast another breakaway goal to make it final score of 6-1 to the Millers.

The final score probably didn’t represent the effort a good Colne side put into the game, but did reflect the fact that sometimes Millers Reserves can be patient and effective on the break.
So, New Mills Reserves will now face a final against local opposition as Glossop Reserves ran out 3-2 winners against Bootle Reserves in the other semi-final. The date of the final is yet to be confirmed, but it looks as though the final could be at Church Lane and hopefully gain tremendous support for a local derby.

Millers Team:Chris Fidler (GK), Steven Land, Steven Jackson, Scott Dignan, Chris Sibson, David Silcock, Jake Taylor, James Elmore, Adam Blackburn, Danny Dignan, Danny Carter. Subs: Luke Smith (GK), Daniel Kitchen (78 mins. For J. Taylor), Aji Khan (83 mins. For D. Dignan), Billy Gallagher, Chris Thornley.

Adam Blackburn on another attacking run

David Silcock gets up for the high ball

Skipper Steven Land covers the incoming ball

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 from the start. 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.

Carlos Meakin blasts in his 1st goal

Adam Morning scores Millers 3rd goal

Left winger Adam Morning was the danger man and he constantly tormented right back Matt Howarth. 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.

Carlos Meakin controls the ball and shoots - mouseover

Carlos Meakin heads the ball on - mouseover

Danny Jackson solid defending

Micky Ryan bursts out of defence

Darwins goal under pressure - mouseover

Darwins goal under pressure - mouseover

Callum Hennigan beats Carlos to the ball

Mike Lomax wins the ball

Matty Taylor intercepts the pass and pushes forward

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

Saturday 29th March
Padiham 1 - New Mills 2 (Match abandoned after 50 minutes)

New Mills's game at Padiham on Saturday was abandoned just after half time after incessant heavy rain left the pitch unplayable.

Although rain was falling as the players took to the field at 3pm, the game started with The Arbories in reasonable condition and following their recent good run of form, The Millers started very strongly with Garry Kharas shooting narrowly wide in the third minute.

The Millers were controlling the game despite the increasing rainfall and midfielders Joe Shaw and Carlos Meakin had good opportunities to break the deadlock, but were denied on both occasions by good Padiham defending.

The Millers took the lead on the half hour when following a free kick on the left hand side, the ball fell to skipper Micky Ryan in the six yard box and he duly drove the ball into the bottom corner.
The visitors defied the conditions to double their lead eight minutes later with a goal which would have graced any occasion. Full back Matty Taylor made a powerful run down the right and his inch-perfect cross was met by Garry Kharas whose unstoppable header left the Padiham keeper helpless.

The home side brought themselves back into the game on the stroke of half time when a wonderful forty-yard strike sailed over Miller's keeper Stuart Williams into the top corner.
It was a surprise to see the players return after the interval and The Millers were forced to make a substitution with left winger Adam Morning breaking his nose after an accidental collision with team mate Kharas.

It soon became apparent that the conditions were worsening with the ball beginning to stop in the ever increasing amount of standing water and it came as no surprise when the referee abandoned the game.

Whilst disappointed not to complete the game, The Millers will take heart from their performance in the atrocious conditions and with none of their promotion rivals completing their games either, their lead at the top of League Division 2 remains at a very healthy sixteen points.

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

Monday 24th March
Leek CSOB 0 - New Mills 4

New Mills continued their recent good run of form with a patient victory at Harrison Park on Easter Monday. Leek started the game with their gameplan clear and a tackle from behind by skipper Daniel Hyde, which went unpunished by the referee, in the first few minutes saw left winger Adam Mather limp off with a nasty looking ankle injury. Shortly after, Hyde tested the referee’s patience once too often with another foul which saw him pick up a deserved caution. The Millers continued to make all the running but were frustrated by the home side’s defence and the uneven playing surface but their plight was assisted by the dismissal of Hyde who picked up his second yellow card of the afternoon, this time for a late tackle on midfielder Melford Knight.

Melford Knight beats the keeper and heads at goal

Shortly after, the visitors had the ball in the net when substitute Garry Kharas headed home but the officials blew up for an infringement on the home goalkeeper, who then ensured that his side reached the interval on level terms when he made an impressive point blank save from striker Kenny Mayers’s snapshot on the stroke of half time.

Kenny Mayers header disallowed - select pictures to see enlargement above

With the man advantage, The Millers made a strong start to the second half and once again, the keeper prevented both Kharas and Mayers opening the scoring with decent fingertip saves.

Thankfully, the visitor’s patience was rewarded just after the hour when Mayers beautifully volleyed home a cross from the right much to the delight of the travelling fans, who made up at least three quarters of the crowd.

Millers celebrate after Kenny Mayers breaks the deadlock

With the home side’s resistance finally broken, The Millers continued to press forward for the goal which would seal the contest and this came in slightly bizarre circumstances in the 77th minute, when Adam Morning swung over a corner and although it looked the ball had already evaded the keeper and crossed the goal line, Mayers bundled the ball in at the back post and was officially credited with the goal. With the three points safely in the bag, the icing on the cake came in the shape of two injury time goals – the first when Garry Kharas (seen left) neatly tucked in the rebound following another good save from the home keeper and then Kenny Mayers completed his hat trick following good work down the right from Adam Morning. This victory was a complete contrast to Saturday’s hammering of Holker with patience and good football ensuring the right result on the day.

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

Adam Morning's inswinging corner beats the keeper and into the net courtesy of Kenny Mayers

Matt Taylor on a blizzard of run

Saturday 22nd March
New Mills 9 - Holker OB 0

New Mills recorded their biggest North West Counties League victory with a nine goal demolition of Holker Old Boys at Church Lane on Saturday. In a game as one sided as the result suggests, The Millers turned on the style and dominated the game from start to finish. The rout started as early as the fifth minute when following a short corner, skipper Mike Ryan’s cross was headed in by leading scorer Carlos Meakin. The lead was almost immediately doubled when new signing Adam Morning, cut in from the left, jinked past a couple of defenders before firing low into the corner of the net to register his first goal for the club. The Millers scored from another corner in the 25th minute when striker Kenny Mayers rose unchallenged to bury a firm header past the Holker keeper.

Kenny Mayers slots in Millers goal #4

Two goals were added in first half stoppage time when firstly Mayers scored his second of the afternoon when he got in the way of clearance and fortuitously scored with what appeared to be his elbow and then left winger Adam Mather dribbled through the static Holker defence and rounded the keeper before slotting home the fifth goal.

The second half was only five minutes old when Meakin scored again, this time when he drilled the ball into the corner from just inside the penalty area.

Substitute Garry Kharas, returning after a back injury, scored the afternoon’s best goal when following good work from Lee Bromley, he headed in an inch perfect cross from fellow substitute Matty Taylor.

Two late goals rounded off proceedings when Meakin completed his third hat trick of the season and then Kharas added the ninth right on the final whistle.

The Millers, who have now scored twenty goals in the last three games without reply, increased their lead at the top of the table to a very healthy fifteen points.

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

Matt Taylor crosses the ball for Garry Kharas' 1st goal

Garry Kharas breaks free and beats the keeper to score his 2nd goal

Matt Taylor changes direction - mouseover

Hat trick hero Carlos Meakin swerves round the challenge - mouseover

Adam Mather shrugs off the challenge

Saturday 22nd March
Padiham Reserves 0 - Millers Reserves 0

Millers Reserves kept their sixth clean sheet in their last eight games away at Padiham , but were unable to find the opposition net for the first time since the opening day of the season. On a day when all four seasons were represented at the Arbories ground, very few chances fell to either side to claim the full three points.

It could have been so different if Danny Carter’s stinging left foot shot hadn’t rebounded to safety off the Padiham crossbar in the opening minute, but after that bright start neither side could create a clear-cut opportunity to trouble the scorer.

Millers kicked off up the Padiham slope, and a slick passing move between Aji Khan and Adam Blackburn created the opportunity for Danny Carter to rattle the woodwork. A minute later and Millers were awarded a free kick on the right touchline after Daniel Kitchen took an elbow in the nose and had to leave the field to stem the flow of blood, but Scott Dignan’s kick was easily cleared by the Padiham defence. Padiham had their first shot in anger in the fourth minute, but their right back fired his shot well wide.

Padiham looked the most threatening in the opening period but Chris Sibson made a few timely challenges to break up the Padiham attacks. Millers keeper Chris Fidler made a long clearance upfield in the tenth minute, which Padiham failed to clear with the ball eventually falling to Adam Blackburn on the edge of the box, but he fired his shot well wide.

The Padiham keeper was definitely the busier in the first half but the Millers forwards just couldn’t produce a telling shot to produce the opening goal. Jake Taylor created a chance for Adam Blackburn on 25 minutes but the keeper managed to hold at the second attempt. Blackburn headed over on the half hour from a Steve Jackson cross, and five minutes later Aji Khan and James Elmore combined to create a chance for Jake Taylor from a narrow angle but the keeper saved with his foot. A minute later and Blackburn fired a long-range effort straight at the keeper after doing well to intercept a cross-field pass from the Padiham left. Right on the stroke of half time Danny Carter fired just over from about the same place he had hit the bar earlier, and a minute later the Padiham keeper did well to palm away a fierce shot from Jake Taylor and the half finished as it had begun, goalless.

Neither side were able to create a clear goalscoring opportunity in the second half, both defences stood firm, and despite a lot of activity in midfield, the killer pass could not be found. When anything was directed goalward, either a mishit shot or a timely tackle or block made life easy for both keepers, and as the weather produced an assorted array of conditions to play in, from bright sunshine to light snow, the game petered out into an inevitable draw. Millers could have pinched the game right at the death. Awarded a free kick on the right touchline, Steve Jackson’s kick was half cleared to substitute Adam Brindle who chipped the ball back into the danger area with the outside of his right foot, but as Adam Blackburn tried to get a shot away he only managed to kick the advancing Padiham keeper who was out bravely to block any danger, and that as they say was that.

Millers Reserves return to Church Lane next Saturday 29th March, with a tough fixture against Oldham Town Reserves, the first time the two teams have met in the League this season. Millers will be looking to get back to the goalscoring habit that saw them beat Oldham away at the beginning of December in an exciting match that Millers edged by the odd goal in seven, to progress through to the next round of the Reserves Division Cup. So Millers Reserves have only four games left to complete their League season, with the Semi-final of the Reserves Division Cup still to be arranged. All support is much appreciated to try and finish the season in style.

Millers Team: Chris Fidler (GK), Stephen Land, Steven Jackson, Chris Sibson, Scott Dignan, James Elmore, Daniel Kitchen, Aji Khan, Jake Taylor, Adam Blackburn, Danny Carter.

Subs: Luke Smith (GK), David Silcock (60 mins. For D. Kitchen), Adam Brindle (65minutes for J. Elmore), Joe Ingham (75 minutes for S. Land), Stewart Kay.