Match Report: New Mills vs. Stamford, 29th Aug 2011

Robbie Maddox picked up a knee injury on Saturday so Matt Cook returned at right back. Jake Gibson was given a start on the left in place of Dan Cotton who was on the bench. Stamford faced a tough task without a point away from home and facing newly promoted New Mills the early season league leaders and one of only two unbeaten teams.

 

Stamford were close to taking the lead straight from the kick off with the ball immediately played wide to Lee Beeson. He controlled the ball with his thigh before going round a defender but his shot was blocked for a corner. Two minutes later New Mills had a great chance to take the lead after winning their own corner but Carlos Meakin headed wide.

 

Next Stamford had another chance with a great ball from Beeson to Sam Mullarkey. His route to goal was blocked so he crossed to Jake Gibson. With his shot on target, and the keeper Ben Proctor beaten, the ball was blocked by a defender.

 

Both sides were playing good football on a very good surface made even quicker by a light drizzle. New Mills played a short passing game with Stamford playing more direct. The Millers were unlucky not to go ahead on 10 minutes when a shot from Meakin crashed onto the Stamford post and back out. Two minutes later Stamford took the lead and it was a typical Mullarkey turn to make space for himself and then a shot beyond the reach of the keeper and into the corner.

 

The lead lasted only four minutes before New Mills were level. A superb ball from Antony Field left the Stamford defence in two minds who was going to play the ball. Whilst they dithered, Ashley Stott nipped in and steered the ball past Mario Ziccardi.

 

The goal lifted New Mills and for a while they played good possession football which gave Stamford little chance to get in the game but still denying New Mills chances from their possession. The next chance went to Stamford on the half hour with a good ball from Beeson to Dean Oliver. His shot was blocked, Sam Mullarkey picked up the loose ball but his shot was also blocked and then the follow up shot from Chris Gray was saved by Proctor.

 

As the game moved deep into stoppage time New Mills wasted a glorious chance to go in ahead. Christopher Young had acres of space on the left and his cross was inch perfect for Dean Crowe. With a free header, he managed to head across goal and past the far post.

 

1-1 at half time was fair with both sides looking to get the ball forward and both sides had created good chances. New Mills started the second half strongly and a sliced clearance from Miles Chamberlain seemed to have set up Luke Horrocks but he made an even bigger slice of his shot.

 

Minutes later, a strong run from Mullarkey set up Gibson but he had another goal bound shot blocked and out for a corner. Danny Brooks had the next chance but with time to line up his shot the ball went wide and easily past the post. Simon Clark made two substitutions on 54 minutes with Seth Burkett replacing injured Dan Barrett and Danny Steadman replacing Brooks. Straightaway Stamford had another great chance when Mullarkey’s shot beat the keeper but drifted wide of the far post. Stamford were having a lively period and Oliver chased a long ball to cross from the bye line. Gray hit the ball first time but his shot was saved by Proctor.

 

New Mills kept up the pressure and just after the hour they came very close to taking the lead when a shot from Stott looped over Ziccardi but came back off the bar. The ball went straight to Crowe but he took too long to shoot and Ziccardi was able to get back to save the shot when it finally came.

 

Minutes later, it was Stamford turn to be so close to regaining the lead when Proctor got finger tips to a 25 yard Beeson free kick to turn the ball onto the bar and out for a corner.

 

Next good interplay between Otis Gorman and Horrocks ended with a great cross from Horrocks but Crowe, diving to head the ball, could only put it over the bar. A goal had to come but, unfortunately it was against Stamford. Another good cross from Field was driven in to the Stamford goal. Ziccardi did well to stop the ball but with the loose ball on the goal line, Stott stretched to push the ball home.

 

Stamford had the last chance of the game deep into injury time with a good move finished by Steadman but his shot was blocked and out for another corner.

 

In a game enjoyed by both sets of supporters, Stamford could feel hard done by to come away with nothing. The league has been won by a promoted team in each of the last two seasons. There will be few surprised if New Mills aren’t in the mix at the end of the season to maintain that run.

 

Stamford: Mario Ziccardi, Matt Cook, Dan Barrett (Seth Burkett 54), Chris Gray, Miles Chamberlain, Michael Jacklin, Lee Beeson, Danny Brooks (Danny Steadman 54), Dean Oliver (Gary King 70), Sam Mullarkey, Jake Gibson. Subs not used: Danny Cotton.

 

Stamford Man of the Match: Michael Jacklin

 

New Mills: Ben Proctor, Michael Bowler, Otis Gorman, Nikolaus Kudiersky, Anthony Barrass (Daniel Jackson 32), Antony Field (Christopher Curley 88), Carlos Meakin, Christopher Young, Ashley Stott (Kingsley Grandison 79), Dean Crowe, Luke Horrocks. Subs not used: Justin Pickering, Paul Monaghan