3rd December 2016 - New Mills AFC 2 v 4 1874 Northwich - A busy morn followed by a walk to the train station in Stockport and the trip down to New Mills was taken. A pop in a book/record shop and to the ground for a much needed cup of warming Rosie and a fine Hotdog that slipped down like a well greased inner tube - smashing. I sat back and watched the teams prepare and looked forward to another interesting tussle.
The surface looked autumnal with the virginal lushness of summers fresh growth already a faded memory but this didn't stop the action from being all out as soon as the referee peeped his blower and let the game commence. The visitors started quickly and after winning a corner in the first couple of minutes the header that came flew over but was notably loaded with portent. New Mills reacted to this opening salvo with a stunning piece of link up play between their numbers 10 and 11 who doubled up the passes that led to a smooth and classy goal being grabbed by the latter player, namely, Tunde Owolabi. 3 minutes on the clock and already 1874 were asked questions but the away team dug in, instantly broke with zest, won a free kick that was thrown in and caused a bout of goal mouth mayhem that was somehow eventually cleared. Shots followed here and there, the aforementioned Owolabi looked a tasty player and was causing many problems whenever he had the globe at his feet. At the other end though an attack that was finalised with an acute back heel that was slid wide and unfortunate not to make the game level. New Mills were riding their luck. The stunning start continued with an 1874 back pass nearly latched onto and then with the same team winning a free punt but wasting the chance with a shot best described as 'shite'. New Mills came again, the 10 and 11 duo linking up for a second time with a cross chucked in and the netter knocking it into no man's land which, as luck would have it, didn't fall to an incoming attacker. The lofty action was maintained, opportunities continued at both poles of the pitch, all that was missing was the final quality touch. The tempo was marvelous, testament to this league and the players appetite, and before long New Mills were at it again when the dazzling No 10 made his own space and saw his shot just cleared off the line - by heck, where's me nerve tablets?
Next, and the home team's No 9 flowed forth and hustled away with an opening appearing and a shot taken - alas it was a duffer and 1874 Northwich breathed again. In fact they did more then breathe, they believed and pounced back with a red hot break away that was finalised in a good shot that was a surefire winner! Wrong, the post was quivered, we remained at 1 - 0 to the Millers - the madness continued. The half progressed, 1874 pushed hard, New Mills became a touch ragged and when a corner came and the No 5 (Danny Thomas) of the away team rose, it was perhaps fair that things ended up all square. New Mills responded with a immediate attack but when it broke down the No 11 for their opponents ran free and duly dribbled, deceived and shot - just over, phew! Next and a foul was awarded against a Northwich player, the majority of the crowd disputed it although I felt it was indeed a rough tackle. Northwich may have felt hard done by and after gaining back the ball from the free kick they got true revenge when the sizzling No 10 (Scott McGowan) ran the flank, crossed with quality and allowed Samuel Hare to grab a 45th minute goal and send his team into half time with the lead. New Mills looked heartbroken and so they should be as they had given an impressive account of themselves and didn't deserve this. The ref piped up and brought to an end a fantastic half of football that both teams should be proud of contributing to.
Tea and a pee - simple. The cold had embraced me by this point and like a tramp on a chip barm it wouldn't let go - brrrr!
The second half came, the away chaps were up and at it and their No 10 had an early attempt but it was just off the mark. No sooner had the ball been recovered than the same player was at it again (what a good worker), crossing well and allowing Thomas Bailey to get a 48th minute goal and put New Mills right on the back tootsie. The Millers worked hard though, whilst 1874 were happy to break with pace and cause trouble whenever they could. In fact, if it wasn't for a good low save by the New Mills keeper a 4th goal would have buried any chances of a comeback which, as it seemed, was still on the cards. A lean spell ensued, with minor efforts coming here and there but nothing of note to report. The classy no 11 of New Mills was surprisingly substituted but instantaneously his team won a free kick and up stepped the No 10 (Haydn Foulds) and slapped in an absolutely pearler - just what was needed for the neutral. The re-ignition of a good match was had and now both teams were perspiring with passion and Foulds had another chance that should have been buried but his close range volley flew over and a changing point was had. Now the away team came, the No 4 worked hard and began a great move that saw the ball go to Paul Connor who crossed and a shot came from Scott McGowan again only to be denied by the keeper. The ball however went loose and up stepped Thomas Bailey to snatch his second and his teams fourth and ultimately gain all three points for 1874 Northwich. Now, in the dying stages, the away lads had the upper hand and only a few mistimed shots stopped the scoreline from being increased. The miss of the match came at the other end though when New Mills' best player Haydn Foulds missed an absolute sitter and wasted the last chance of the game - hey ho. The match came to an end soon after and I was left to pick a Man of the Match. In truth there were many good performances from both teams but I am opting for a general who looked controlled throughout, read the game well and was a lynch pin in his teams game play. Step forth 1874's No 8 (Dahrius Waldron) and get the applause you deserve - and as in the words of that syrup wearing git Bruce Forsyth, good game squire, good game.
FINAL THOUGHT - I feel the title of this scribbled piece says it all. The differences between the two teams are small but those little touches and minor off the ball runs are what separated the squads on this occasion. The league position of 1874 Northwich reflects their quality and they will continue to do well and get their well deserved support (big respect to the fans by the way, excellent stuff) and hopefully, just rewards. New Mills on the other hand are better than they seem and have some ruddy good players in their midst. A bit of luck and consistency in their work and they will progress and become a team to watch. A great match today at a very welcoming ground and I look forward to my next visit and just hope they start selling Meths instead of tea at the kiosk so as to keep that ruddy chill out!
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