Stephen Done had a glorious chance to score within seconds of the kick off, Anthony Jackson in Breightmet's goal stuck his boot out to deflect Doney's effort. New Mills applied good pressure on Breightmet's goal, but against the run of play the visitors took the lead through Mark Grundy's shot with 7 minutes gone. Parity was soon regained just 3 minutes later when Howard Swarrey (shown left) broke into the box and drove the ball below the advancing keeper.

Andy tester was on top form to deny the visitors, blocking firmly at his near post. The Bolton side found the back of the net again but an offside decision cancelled that effort out. With half-an-hour on the clock, Swarrey headed the ball into no man's land, Breightmet stood motionless allowing Adam Blackburn to break the

A first-half hat trick from Adam Bomber Blackburn helped secure the points for Millers second string. However, while the home side dominated the play until half time, the visitors created more chances after the break, but still left Church Lane defeated.

Good work from Ian Mattimore forced East Manchester to conceded a corner kick a minute from the kick off, the kick was taken quickly and Mattimore struck the post from his dextrous turn and shot, signalling the Millers intent on East Manchester's goal. The lead was taken with 14 minutes on the clock, Kyle Brown lofted an excellent free kick into the box from his right-back position, Adam Blackburn on hand to head beyond the grasp of Christopher Mulley in the visitors goal.

During the remainder of the half, New Mills were coping well with all that the visitors could muster - Bates, Brown and Brankin looking stern in defence. The Millers soaked up what pressure there was and counter-attacked frequently. Chris Prodromis worked hard and used his pace and cunning to good effect.

The home side doubled the advantage 4 minutes before the break. Another fine ball from Kyle Brown saw Blackburn get the faintest of touches, the visitors reeling as the Church Lane faithful celebrated.

East Manchester's keeper was lucky to have remained on the pitch once he had scythed down Blackburn who was clear on goal, Mulley was cautioned with a yellow only and took up his position between the sticks, his efforts to deny Miller's potent striker proved futile as Blackburn drilled the ball home with compelling conviction, Bomber's sixteenth goal of the season - so far.

Several minutes after the break Stuart Thomason reduced the deficit and Ryan Thomason scored a second goal for the visitors to ensure a tense finish. Andy Tester in Millers goal pulled off a few decent saves, one save in particular caught the eye seconds before the final whistle to deny East a point.

This result keeps New Mills Reserves well in contention, but it's fair to say that the home side switched off after half time, which could have proved costly if Millers second string have any ambitions on the Manchester League title, as the season gets underway.

On a brighter note, Adam Blackburn has been selected to play for the Derbyshire County under 19's squad after an impressive trial at Alfreton Town.

Millers: Tester, Brown, Bates, Brankin, Higson, Hall, Swarrey, Done, Prodromis, Blackburn 3, Mattimore Subs: Warhurst, Oldale.

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The 1st Team were unlucky at the away fixture. Two penalty appeals were dismissed without haste and Matt Buckley's effort seemed to have crossed the line, but that too was dismissed out of hand. Kieran Lugsden, Julian Dowe and Wes Gibbons did find the net, but East Manchester also scored three to earn a share of the spoils.

New Mills Reserves entertain Breightmet Reserves this Saturday, Kick Off is at 2:30 pm, and all are welcome.

	Kelvin Lugsden has made the left-back position his own with consistent performance
	Simon Ignotus header

Springhead had beaten New Mills in last year's opening round of the Gilgryst Cup, but the fortunes were reversed on Saturday, the Millers operating a tight unit at the back, patiently building up their attacking options to win their first home tie this season.

Spellbinding wingplay of Stacey Wild throughout the match

As half time approached New Mills pressed further up-field, leaving gaps down the flanks. Springhead took full advantage to counter-attack down the left wing. Ben Candlin saved his opponents shot well, the ball was returned and cleared from the line, but Anthony Pauls was not to be denied as he struck the ball into the roof of the net, third time lucky for the visitors.

The Lugsden, Land, Ignotus, Pickering partnership grew in stature to subdue Springhead's strikers for most of what remained of the game. Chris Pickering must have felt dizzy as he found only Lindley between himself and glory, his shot struck firm but lacked finesse as it rose up and over the visitors goal.

Stacey Wild had performed well earlier in the season and regained some of his promise during this match. Ten minutes after the break, Wild twisted and turned his way inside the box, the clearest of penalty kicks was his reward, the spot kick dispatched in efficient manner by Chris Pickering, the Millers back on terms.

The lead was taken just a minute later, Kieran Lugsden was the catalyst with a fine run down the left, Lugsden cut the ball back to Julian Dowe who zipped the ball over, Stacey Wild popped out of nowhere and as quick as a flash, placed the ball past Lindley as his defence stood motionless.

Kieran Lugsden almost capped off another fine performance midway through the half, the gifted striker broke free forcing Lindley to block, Lugsden prodded the ball towards goal but a last-gasp clearance on the line denied his deserved reward.

The substitutes were introduced earlier than on previous occasions. Wes Gibbons is a firm favourite at Church Lane and repaid his managers faith with Millers 3rd goal eight minutes from time. Matt Buckley took the ball on from the half way line and unleashed an excellent thirty-yard drive, which swerved viciously en route to goal, his fine effort was too hot for Lindley who spilled the ball, Gibbons pounced like a true poacher, to side-foot home.

The loss of Craig Massey and Kalleem Ahmed, who have both suffered from torn cruciate ligaments, will surely be a heavy burden to bear, but if Wes Gibbons can regain some of his fitness levels and force his way into the starting line up, then this may prove invaluable for the remainder of Millers stop-start season.

The visitors number 9 had a couple of chances early on but it was New Mills who first found the back of the net 12 minutes in, Steve Worral's deft free kick curled around Vale's wall and straight into the goal but was disallowed as the ref had already signalled for the kick to be taken indirectly.

The lead was taken just 5 minutes later when Adam Blackburn took the ball on from the half way line, by-passed a couple of players with ease, skipped around Critchely in the visitors goal and slid the ball into the gaping net, a fine individual effort to maintain his impressive goal scoring record.

Most teams would crumble following New Mills well-earned advantage but Vale are made of sterner stuff and reduced the arrears on 28 minutes, the penalty awarded seemed harsh but Greenhalt cared little as he fired the ball past the home keeper, offering hope to the side from Bury, who finished the half strongly.

Jason Clarke broke Vale's offside trap and had ample time to pick his spot to give Millers some breathing space, provided by Howard Swarrey.