Vauxhall Motors the team to beat next season, says New Mills' Benito Lowe

Motors thought they had already secured promotion from the North West Counties League Division One South only for the campaign to be declared null and void due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Lowe has already told The Advertiser he is desperate to secure promotion with the Church Lane club, but expects the smarting Ellesmere Port side will have their sights set on the title 12 months later than expected.

He is also tipping Stockport Town - who had former Premier League midfielder and Wales international Robbie Savage turn out for them last season - to provide a stern challenge.

"Vauxhall Motors were the best team we played," Lowe said.

"They'll be gutted about what happened and it'll be tough next year, also with teams like Stockport Town there, especially now Robbie Savage is involved."

Lowe, however, has faith in New Mills managers Mike Norton and Dave Birch after they transformed the club's fortunes upon their arrival last season.

"I think we can be up there going for promotion," he added.

"It was frustrating, we were just starting pushing up and putting together a good run of form.

"We came back from a disappointing result in the (Derbyshire Senior) Cup, the semi-final defeat to Belper, and we were doing well.

"We were unbeaten in four and we'd won three of them. We were turning the corner.

"We were on zero points when Mike and Dave came in so to be where we were (14th) when the season finished is an achievement.

"If we can carry that on we'll do well next season."

With question marks remaining about when football can resume again, Lowe admits he is missing getting out on the pitch... and his mates.

He said: "I miss the social aspect as well, being with the lads.

"We go from being together three times a week to not seeing anyone at all and I miss it. Fifty per cent of it is the social side for me."

However, he hopes the hard work he is putting in now will pay off.

"(Keeping fit) is all I'm doing," Lowe said. "Making sure I'm fit for when we can pay football again.”

MORE NEW MILLS: Skipper Mason Fallon targets promotion.

MORE NEW MILLS: Manager Dave Birch has sympathy for rivals Vauxhall Motors.

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