New Mills romp to win in eleven-goal thriller

It was the hosts who took the lead in the 16th minute when former Church Lane favourite Micky Ryan’s cross-cum-shot hit the crossbar and Ben Brooks nodded home the rebound from close range.

Niall Rhodes then doubled Cheadle’s advantage seven minutes later, but the Millers responded in style with a bullet header from Nico Collins and a measured chip from Daryl Weston restoring parity.

New Mills then completed their turnaround when Jamie Baguley curled a sumptuous free kick just inside the far post.

Similar to the previous outing at Maine Road, Millers boss Roy Soule changed virtually his entire personnel at the interval, possibly owing to the sloppy start that allowed Cheadle to make it 3-3 through Chris Sherrington.

Despite that setback the visitors then took the game by the scruff of the neck as their superior fitness told against tiring opposition.

No fewer than five further goals were scored in the last twenty minutes of the contest and there was no doubting the quality of some of the strikes.

Rhys Nevins bagged a quick-fire brace with Domaine Cousins also getting himself on the scoresheet.

Sandwiching Cousins’ strike was a brace from the impressive Jamie Rother, including a speculative free-kick.

Meanwhile, New Mills reserves recorded a 3-2 win away at Manchester Gregorians. They conclude their pre-season at home to Dove Holes on Monday, July 29 (7.30pm).