New Mills 2-0 Cheadle Town

In a largely entertaining match, the Boxing Day spoils went to New Mills as they ran out 2-0 winners in the 'derby' match.

In keeping with the time of year, the bustle of the match at times resembled Market Street in the post-Christmas sales. Cheadle almost drew first blood after 2 minutes a Hussain shot crashed off the foot of the post. The blue-and-white-striped activity continued with Lindon seeing a header go over the bar after 10 minutes.

When New Mills took the lead after 18 minutes with a lob over Mellor's head, the swing of the game went amber-and-black. Mellor finished the half by tipping a rasping 25-yard drive over the bar. Half-time, 1-0 to New Mills.

Mellor was the busier of the two 'keepers for the second half. On the 54 minute mark he palmed out a New Mills effort but could do nothing about New Mills' second goal just moments later: a cross was whipped in and it looked like a header was diverted past him by a Cheadle defender's head.

I may have made this sound like a one-sided game in the second half but, to be honest, both of these teams were pretty evenly-matched in terms of effort and endeavour - it's what made it such a good game to watch. It's just that New Mills won it on the following simple doctrine: "goals win games". If Cheadle had a bit more of a cutting-edge up front - something that they lack at the moment - then I'm convinced that they would have got something out of this.

Just one more thing. Geographically-speaking New Mills are our neighbours, but it certainly doesn't feel like it when you're driving there. Anybody with me for supporting an A6-bypass...?

TEAM: Mellor, McDonagh, B Roberts (A Roberts), Cotterill, Kempton, Smith, Riley, Lindon, Flanagan, Brocklehurst, Hussain (Stewart). Subs: Stewart, A Roberts, Kay(?)