Church Lane, home of New Mills AFC based in Derbyshire and compete in Step 6 of the Non League Pyramid in the North West Counties League Division One South. Nicknamed the “Millers” as it’s in the name ‘New Mills’.
A ground that has featured in a TV series? Back in 2016, a Sky One TV series called “Rovers” featured a fictional football club who played their home games at the ground. Claim to fame?
The FA Vase is back!! New Mills have been drawn at home against Atherton Laburnum Rovers in the first round qualifying. It’s been a ground I have been looking at for a while and today is the day I finally visit! Bring it on!
Now for the beautiful drive through the Peaks, through Winnats Pass, into Furness Vale and into the ground ready for the second half of the early kick off between Southampton and Manchester United. £6 for this FA Vase tie! Exquisite! I’m in!
Thanks to the New Mills manager, we now have BT Sport on the TV and the second half has started. Bruno Fernandes scores and Manchester United go on to win 1-0… Damn him!
Back outside and Hoyland John has just walked through the gate! Along with David, Colin and Jack! Fantastic! Out come the teams to kick off the FA Vase for the season!
Kick Off… Both teams are wearing New Mills jerseys? Unfortunately Atherton have brought the wrong coloured strip meaning New Mills have lent them their away shirt… Oh non league! At least the Atherton kit man will have less washing!
10 minutes in and Atherton come forward, Lewis Rawsthorn is through on goal here with 2 defenders behind him… The New Mills defender gets a touch on the ball and the shot is comfortably saved by the keeper.
24 minutes gone and New Mills have a corner, in it comes… It’s headed up in the air… It comes for Adam Muir in the box and he makes space for the shot… Keeper saves!
3 minutes later and New Mills play down the right wing, the cross comes in, Kyle Hawley with the header… Keeper saves and he holds on to it!
33rd minute and New Mills are looking good in this game so far! They come forward again, Adam Muir has it on the edge of the box and he goes for goal… Straight at the keeper… But he spills it and Kyle Oakes runs in… He gets there and he goes for the backheel… OH! The keeper gets there just in time and it remains goalless.
41 minutes on the clock and Atherton come forward, it’s played over to the right, it’s played across to Liam Beech on the edge of the box to shoot… Good save! Keeper tips it wide for a corner, in it comes… Liam Beech with the header… Wide!
Into stoppage time in the first half and it’s one final charge for New Mills to break the deadlock before half time. They play down the right flank, it’s played across to Adam Muir in the box who controls and he shoots… And he scores!! New Mills do break the deadlock before half time! 1-0! And that is the last action of the half.
Second half, New Mills come forward straight away, it’s played to Kyle Hawley in the box on the right, he makes space for the SHOT… Good save! And he claims the loose ball does the keeper!
63rd minute and New Mills come forward again as Akim Simms drives forward, he gets to around 25 yards out and he shoots… But it rolls wide…
69th minute and Atherton have a corner, here it comes… It’s headed up in the air… It comes down to Liam Beech and he smashes it… Into the back of the net!! Atherton are level! 1-1!
75th minute and New Mills play forward, the ball is played to Kyle Hawley… He’s Offside! Certainly not the first flag he’s had this game and New Mills are frustrated especially the manager! Uh-oh! The Referee is going over to him now, he could be in trouble… It’s a Yellow Card for the New Mills manager!
The resulting free kick is taken by Atherton, they have it on the left and it’s played into the middle, George Chadwick is there at the far post… And he scores… But the flag is up! It won’t count! The Offside flag ironically saving New Mills this time!
New Mills continue to show their frustrations at the Referee… “Are you having a giggle?” Never heard that saying to a Referee before! 85th minute and Atherton win the ball back in midfield, Brandon Dawson has it and he drives forward, he gets into the box on the left and he shoots… It’s over! Big chance to win it there for Atherton!
88th minute and Atherton are going for it in the closing stages here! The ball is played forward and Lewis Rawsthorn finds himself through, he gets into the box on the right and he plays it across… Elliot Cooke gets there and clears for an Atherton corner, in comes the corner… All the way over and New Mills force a throw in.
90th minute and New Mills play the ball forward now, it’s flicked on and it’s Teddy Osipitan in the box now for New Mills… HE’S DONE IT!! He’s found the net! New Mills have surely won it here and you have to say against the run of play at this point in the game after Atherton really made a big statement in the last few minutes but a flick on for Osipitan who pokes it in off the post surely sees New Mills into the next round! 2-1!
Play goes on, is there time for an Atherton equaliser? They come forward… They win a corner, the keeper is staying on the half way line, in comes the corner… Referee blows for a foul and New Mills have a free kick. Atherton throwing the kitchen sink at New Mills now… But it’s too little too late! New Mills are through! Atherton are out!
FT: New Mills 2-1 Atherton Laburnum Rovers
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – It was quiet but a few cheers especially when the goals went in.
- The Ground: 9/10 – Beautiful ground! It certainly did not disappoint! Very picturesque and I love the stands on the one side! The bar is absolutely fantastic and is also has a good look from the stand on the far side. I just wish it was accessible all the way around…
- Expense: 9/10 – £20 fuel, £6 entry and £5 pin badge. Was it worth it? Yes it was! Last minute winner but it was a bit dull at times and that is why it’s not a 10 on this occasion.
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – A great day at a great ground! Always a pleasure to see Hoyland John along with David, Colin and Jack! Great time with them today and great to see some cup drama once again!
31/40