Cheadle Town 1-3 New Mills

As you know I didn't go to this, then Polardin had to bow out of other commitments and then I found out this morning that my third hope of a match report - Paul Lynch - didn't attend because of man flu...so sorry, no match report for you on this one.

Needless to say that Cheadle couldn't make it to that fourth consecutive match unbeaten as New Mills continued their unbeaten run in the league. Cheadle took the lead after 15 minutes courtesy of Mac but ended up finishing the match with nine men; Mac getting himself sent off along with Scott 'The Wasp' Flanagan.

Another story emerging from yesterday is that the match had to be stopped for 10 minutes whilst one of our floodlights was sorted out; the referee took the players off the pitch as he was not happy with the sub-standard lighting. Embarrassing, really....

Anyway, onto next week and the pre-Christmas jamboree at Castleton Gabriels.....

Saturday's Opponents: New Mills

They say that a week is a long time in politics and two weeks is a very long time in football, but over the five or so weeks since our 0-1 away defeat in the league to New Mills, not a lot has changed. Cheadle Town are still wonderfully unpredictable-but-entertaining as ever and New Mills are still riding very high - and undefeated - at the top of the Division Two table.

The Millers may boast a comfortable four-point lead at the top but Cheadle certainly gave them an uncomfortable day during that league defeat back at the start of November; on another day we may have come away with a point given our second half efforts.

Unfortunately I'll be missing this one as I have Premiership commitments (that's both New Mills home matches I've missed now!) so the match report will be the words of Paul Lynch and Polardin.

Will Cheadle be the first team to put a '1' in New Mills' 'L' column? They're capable of it, you know...sometimes they just don't realise how good they can be....

Come on Cheadle!

New Mills 1-0 Cheadle Town

Despite a spirited second-half performance, Cheadle Town fell to their third successive defeat with this narrow 0-1 loss at New Mills.

It was The Millers who threw the most telling punches in a first half that would see them score the only goal of the game. Mellor was called into serious action in the 10th minute as he beat away a fierce shot. He was also being kept very busy with the dangerous corners that New Mills where whipping in; a few had to be clawed away from under his crossbar.

He could do nothing about The Millers' goal on 23 minutes, though; a firm header at the near post that crashed in via the underside of the crossbar.

Nine minutes later and he was on hand again to prevent The Millers extending their lead, this time tipping over a shot after a neat move. Half-time, 1-0 to New Mills, and Cheadle still very much in the game.

Despite not creating a hatful of clear-cut chances, the second half was Cheadle's. Six minutes in and they should have drawn level: Arron Riley was put through one-on-one with the 'keeper but could only slide his chance just wide of the post.

With their increased industry and possession, Cheadle huffed, puffed and prodded and caused mild panic in the New Mills box again with just nine minutes to go. Michael Myers flew a great cross in from the right that; unfortunately there was nobody at hand to seize the 'keepers' flapped-at clearance and The Millers were able to scramble the ball away.

Another defeat, but a much-improved display of commitment today...particularly in the second half. As I left the ground I overheard a Millers fan say "blimey, that was hard work today", which I'm gonna take as positive testament to the team's effort.

Photos from today can be seen by clicking here

TEAM: Mellor, Heath, B Roberts, Clarke, A Roberts, Brocklehurst, Riley, Lindon, Hussain, Martin, Buchanan (Myers). Subs: Moore, Myers, James

Saturday's Opponents: New Mills

Cheadle's potentially difficult November (although it seemed to have started a day early against Oldham Town) kicks off with perhaps the most challenging fixture of them all: an away trip to New Mills.

The Millers are 2nd in the table only by virtue of goal difference: they are level on points with leaders Kirkham and Wesham and have seven wins, three draws and - more crucially - no league defeats to their name. I personally tipped New Mills for the Div 2 title at the start of the season; as things stand my 'sportsman's bet' looks to be a sound one.

The same fixture last term saw a Boxing Day 0-2 defeat where Cheadle had a bit of vocal support thanks to Polardin enrolling various members of his extended family for the day; no such luxury this time as, assuming nobody else turns up, it'll just be me and the two flags!!

Ever since our impressive home victory over Chadderton a couple of weeks ago, things haven't been too good chez Cheadle. We've scuffed a victory at Daisy Hill, surrendered to the nine men of Leek CSOB and received a 0-3 home beating from Oldham Town.

I'll not kid myself here; I'll be happy to escape a serious lashing and positively ecstatic with a point. I'll run naked through the streets of New Mills if we win. Seriously though, what better way to get yourself back-on-track than a victory over the defeat-less, probable champions of your football division? With Cheadle, anything's effing possible.

Come on Cheadle!

Cheadle Town 0-1 New Mills

Cheadle Town's season ended with a defeat to near-neighbours New Mills.

By all accounts i.e Polardin's texts and half-time phone call, it was a typical end-of-season encounter. The match was decided by an ex-Cheadle player; Micky Ryan heading in after 30 minutes.

The New Mills website always has a match report and some pictures on there; I'll post a link to it on here when it's ready.

The final weekend round-up of the season and a statistical breakdown of Cheadle's 2006-2007 story to follow this week.

Here are Polardin's words on the match:
So the final day of the season arrived, a local derby that usually has a bite to it. But despite New Mill’s best efforts at promotion and even with the possibility of a big win here and a loss for Padiham at home (which just might still get them 3rd place now that the league seem to be standing firm on only two promotion places), they had nothing to play for. As to us, win or lose, we finish 12th. In addition the sun was out and the pitch was rock hard. So there was a feeling of pre-season friendly about this one.

Not much between the sides then just a headed goal by 'Rhino' on 35 minutes. We carved out at least three excellent chances: two falling to Deano and one to Johnny Hussain. The entry of their manager for the second half spiced it up a bit!

There was a good crowd today enjoying the sunshine and Daddy Cool's (Arron Riley's) baby was there. Trevor left the touchline to Steve and Hillsy and stood in the terraces with his family.

Unfortunately we lost our grounds man this week due to security breaches and we send our thanks to him for his great work for the club and wish him well. We are keeping our management team and the core of our squad; we look forward to the awards night on the 12th of May when we can thank the players for their endeavours this season.

Tomorrow's Opponents: New Mills

Is it the end of the season already? It only seems like five minutes since we were playing Castleton Gabriels at home on a sunny day back in August 2006. What am I going to do with myself over the summer?

Anyway, onto New Mills. It's a bit odd that the last game of the season should be a "derby" (although it doesn't really feel like a derby) match against New Mills, but as I have learnt during my first full season following Cheadle Town, 'fixture faffage' is a major thing at this level and anything is possible.

Despite falling short of promotion, The Millers have had a season that the majority of Div 2 clubs would give their right arm for. After being in the bottom three for the first part of the season and facing a major backlog of fixtures, they have hauled themselves up to fourth-place, collecting the Division Two Trophy along the way after a thrilling penalties victory over Oldham Town.

New Mills have had a busy week, playing matches last Saturday, then this Tuesday, then Thursday and now tomorrow. Will they be too tired to take on the might of Cheadle Town? Mind you, they did beat Winsford United 2-1 last night (thus denying them the Div 2 championship on the night), so they can't be in too bad a shape!

I'm missing out on this one as I've got Premiership duties to attend to, so I'm relying on Polardin's texts again. Here's hoping that they point towards a winning finale to Cheadle's season.

Come on Cheadle!

Winsford United 3-3 New Mills (New Mills win 6-4 on agg)

It'll be Oldham Town v New Mills in the Division Two Trophy Final as the Millers saw off Winsford United in this thrilling second leg.

Winsford drew first blood with a Quinn goal after about 19 minutes after dominating most of the opening exchanges; being 1-3 down from the first leg, they had no choice but to go for it.

On the half-hour mark, the first sign of New Mills getting themselves back into the game - the Winsford 'keeper forcing a fierce volley over the bar. Two minutes later and New Mills had their two-goal aggregate back. Mickey Ryan superbly chipped the 'keeper from about 20 yards out, only to see his effort come crashing off the crossbar...the rebound being slammed in by Butterworth.

Three minutes later, Winsford were back in front on the night. A free-kick was whipped in from the left and met by a bullet header. On the stroke of half-time, back came The Millers with an equaliser: the Winsford 'keeper somehow fumbling a low shot into his own net. Half-time, 2-2 on the night, 5-3 to New Mills on aggregate.

Three minutes into the second half, cue Winsford. A corner was swung in from the right and the ball was bundled over the line. 3-2 to Winsford on the night. One more goal from them and it was all set for extra time....

But it never came. New Mills switched to 5-3-2 and soaked up everything that Winsford threw at them, squandering a few chances to sew the tie up themselves. With just minutes remaining and looking good for a narrow 5-4 aggregate win, the tie was sewn up, boxed and shrunk-wrapped. Carlos Meakin gathered the ball on the right and hit an unstoppable dipping shot from about 35 yards out.

That was that. Winsford United could do no more - three times they forced a lead and three times New Mills pegged them back.

If "the big one" on Easter Monday between Winsford and Runcorn is anything like this, then the journey down the A556 will have been worth it. Again.

If 'Winsford Boy' and 'Amber Army' are reading this, it was a pleasure meeting you both. Thanks to both your teams for serving up a real treat!

Tonight's Match: Winsford United v New Mills

As part of the whole "getting into the non-league football scene" thing, Polardin and I promised ourselves that we'd go and watch some matches that didn't involve Cheadle Town, particularly if they were of "some significant interest".

To that end, we're both off to The Barton Stadium in (what promises to be a) sunny Cheshire tonight to watch Winsford United v New Mills in the second leg of the Division Two Trophy Semi-Final.

New Mills lead 3-1 from the first leg. From my point of view, and excuse me if I'm stating the bleeding obvious here, but an early goal could be crucial tonight. If Winsford get it, then it makes things very interesting; if New Mills get it, then Winsford have it all to do.

Going into this game, New Mills have the ever-so-slightly better form. In their last three games they've won two and lost one, compared to Winsford's win-draw-lose. Most notable is that the Millers seem to be scoring for fun at the moment: 11 goals in those three games compared to Winsford's 4.

Formbook aside, it promises to be a cracking game. Best of luck to both teams.

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(?)

Boxing Day Opponents: New Mills

Cheadle Town will be travelling to the birthplace of confectionery classics such as the Drumstick lolly, the Double-Dip, the Parma Violet and the Love Heart on Boxing Day as they travel to New Mills, a place that has as much connection with Swizzels-Matlow as Eindhoven has with Philips...or Macclesfield with Astra Zeneca.

As is normal in non-league circles, local "rivals" get paired together on Boxing Day, hence Cheadle's short trip down the A6.

New Mills FC have been knocking around since the pre-war days. They won the Manchester Amateur League a number of times (seven, in fact) in their post-war existence and moved up via the Cheshire League to the North West Counties League in the early 80s. However, it wasn't the best of starts as the club started to suffer financially, resulting in a suspending in play.

Local team Birch Vale FC were looking for a ground to use at the time and they became tenants at Church Lane, eventually taking over the running of the club and changing their name to New Mills FC. The Millers were admitted to the NWCFL Div 2 for the start of the 2004-2005 season, finishing an impressive 9th in their first season at this level.

One thing that instantly hits you about New Mills is their average attendance. If it weren't for Runcorn, then New Mills would be the best-supported club in this division - by a country mile - with an average crowd of 157 so far this season; very impressive for this level, it has to be said. Polardin and I have rounded up two carloads of Cheadle-ites for this one (well, Polardin, myself and press-ganged individuals!) to cheer the boys on because they'll need us. I'm looking forward to it...I just hope that the weather doesn't intervene and deny us a Boxing Day classic.

Come on Cheadle!