Ref’s decisions key in New Mills loss to Wythenshawe

Two potentially game-changing first-half refereeing decisions went against New Mills and left the home supporters fuming.

Dave Birch and Mike Norton’s side were dealt a blow in the build up to the game as midfield player and club captain Darren McKnight signed for NPL side Radcliffe.

The home side then made the worst possible start to the game, Liam Crellin-Myers finding space inside the area just a minute in, and he made no mistake in firing past Alex Fowell.

The Millers recovered well and were level on 22 minutes. James Kalu, making his first start for the club, raced clear on goal and slotted past Callum Jakovlevs for his first goal in an amber shirt.

The scores were level for just five minutes before the visitors went ahead again, Jordan Burton given far too much space on the edge of the area and he blasted past an unsighted Fowell to give his side the lead for the second time.

The final moments of the first-half brought with them controversy. On 43 minutes Kalu was clean through on goal only to be hacked down by Kial Callacher. The home players, staff and supporters were stunned to see the referee produce only a yellow card when the foul had prevented a clear goal scoring opportunity.

The resulting free-kick was wasted and the home side fumed. Less than a minute later Shelton Payne jinked past Brotherton in the area and appeared to be felled from behind only for the referee to wave play on.

The Millers did manage to level the scores in first-half injury time, skipper Mason Fallon crossing to the far post where James Neild headed home from six yards out.

The visitors started the second half strongly and went ahead again just after the hour mark, Crellin-Myers netting his second, before they doubled their lead on 73 minutes as a mix-up between Fowell and his defence enabled Marty Bryan to lob into an empty net.

New Mills lost Nathan Webb and Benito Lowe injured late on, Payne and Cavell Donaldson going close but to no avail.