New Mills beat Derby youngsters to reach semis

Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter-final: New Mills AFC 2-1 Derby County Under-23s

Mike Norton and Dave Birch’s Millers side produced a wonderful performance as they progressed to the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup, defeating Derby County Under 23’s - the side sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League 2, ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City - under the lights on a bitterly cold Wednesday evening at Church Lane. 

After seeing the previous two fixtures postponed, the Millers went into the game on the back of a disappointing performance and defeat at Cheadle Heath Nomads in their last game. In his programme notes, joint-Manager Birch highlighted the need for his side to bounce back and produce the form that they are capable of, and he was to get his wish. 

The home side were dealt a blow in the build-up to the match, as goalkeeper Dylan Forth suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks, but in Alex Fowell, the Millers have a more than capable deputy and the joint-managers had no concerns in bringing him back into the fold for such a big game.

With strikers Shelton Payne and Darryhl Mason both available and full-back Mason Fallon back from injury, the Millers were at full strength in the outfield positions. Fowell took his place in goal behind a back four of Tommy Lent, Harry Norris, Benito Lowe and Fallon, while Kyle Oakes, skipper Darren McKnight and Elliot Cook made up the midfield. Mason, Payne and Will Ozono took the attacking spots in the starting line-up, and the trio were to cause the Derby defence problems throughout the contest. 

The Millers started brightly, Elliot Cooke forcing a save from Josh Barnes in the first minute, before Ozono turned a close-range effort past the post after five minutes. The visitors, however, quickly adjusted to the conditions and on 12 minutes, after a strong run into the box, Josh Shonibare guided the ball past the helpless Fowell to give the Rams the lead. Fowell was called into action moments later, producing two fine saves to keep his side in the match, before McKnight and Oakes gained a foothold in the midfield area and the Millers grew into the game. 

On 22 minutes, the Millers came close to levelling the scores, Oakes fired in a 25-yard effort that was tipped onto the bar by Barnes, as they enjoyed a period of dominance. Although the Rams did threaten on the break as half-time approached, Fowell once again produced a fine save to keep the visitors at bay. 

Early in the second half, Birch and Norton introduced Jake Pollard for Cooke, and the change was to prove crucial as Pollard’s intuitive passing forced the Rams deep into their own half. The diminutive midfielder was involved on the hour mark when the Millers levelled the scores, a clever turn and run saw him brought down, giving the Millers a free-kick in a central area.

Darren McKnight has quickly built a reputation among the Millers supporters as a set-piece specialist and he was to enhance that further, firing in a wicked swerving effort from 35 yards that left Barnes with no chance. It was better still for the Millers just a minute later, Shelton Payne managed to get in behind the visitors defence, cut inside and fired left footed past Barnes. 

McKnight went close to increasing the lead on 70 minutes, sending a curling effort just over from 25 yards, before the visitors threw caution to the wind and pegged the Millers back.

Substitute Jauvan Splatt went close as he shot wide from inside the box, while in the final minute of the game the home supporters held their breath as Stretton hit a powerful effort inches wide of the post.

Stretton's effort was the final action of the game as the referee brought the contest to a close and the Millers go through to their first Derbyshire Cup semi-final in 10 years, with the opportunity to reach the final for the first time in over a generation. 

Great performance and result last night against derby 23s. Our team wont of been much older than their lads so to perform how we did against them was good to see!

— David Birch (@davidbirch8) December 19, 2019