Monday 29 October 2007

New Mills Vs Castleton Gabriel's

With a mid-week game against local rivals Chadderton in mind, Gabs opted for a new look side to take on table toppers New Mills in this week’s cup clash.

Brad Barrington and Nathan Eastmond dropped to the bench. Graham hicks, Simon Riley, Mathew Jackson and Michael Ward all remain injured; this gave the likes of Alan Brannick, Christian Evans and Carl Winstanley a chance to stake their claim for a starting spot.

The game began in a positive fashion, both teams pressing for an early opener. The central midfield partnership of Russell and Hayes were doing their best to scope any gaps in the New Mills defence.

Then after 14 minutes disaster struck. From a short corner, New Mills crossed the ball into the box, and somehow through the mayhem, Mills debutant Zajac somehow managed to flick the ball into the back of the net and claim the opening goal. 1-0.

4 minutes later Mills had scored a second. Against the run of play, Mills played a long ball over the heads of the stranded back four, and striker Meakin was on hand to header home his first of the afternoon. 2-0

2 minutes later, Zajac through on goal, was brought down by Dean Watkinson who undoubtedly felt he had got the ball…but the referee deemed otherwise and pointed to the spot. Meakin was again on hand to slot home past keeper Canning and ease Mills into a 3-0 lead.

I didn’t have to wait long for a 4th goal as 2 minutes later Zajac was put through on goal, and claimed his second and Mills 4th of the afternoon. 20 minutes in and it was looking quite bad!

Obvious that more goals were going to come, Castleton held on for another 12 minutes before Mills were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Striker Meakin’s shot deflected of Andrew Pheby and sailed into the back of the net. Meakin’s hat trick, and Mills 5th. 5-0.

Gabs hoping to get to half time without conceding again, were left disappointed as on 45 minutes winger Nevins prodded home for the 6th goal of the afternoon, and a very dominating display from New Mills so far.

The second half commenced, and surprisingly the heads of the Gabs player’s were still high. An unchanged side proved resilient at the beginning of the half until any hopes of a fairytale Castleton fight back were shattered by New Mills’ seventh on 55 minutes.

Mills were awarded another free kick on the edge of the area. Danny Hopper stepped forward and curled the ball into the back of the net and claim the 7th of the afternoon. 7-0

Undeterred by the score line Gabs went in search of a goal which credit to them they had done all afternoon. Striker Christian Evans fighting for a place in the starting XI controlled the ball in the Mills area, his fierce shot rebounded off the post, but Evans collected the rebound and casually slotted home for Gabs 1st of the afternoon. 7-1

Had Castleton decided that they could win this?…unfortunately not! But Gabs held out for another 20 minutes. Keeper Canning making some excellent saves in the process. There was however one more goal left in the game.

On 90 minutes, after some scuffling in the Gabs box, Dean Watkinson brought down Nevins and the referee who was being monitored himself by a man dressed as the fisherman’s friend pointed to the spot. With two goals already to his name striker Zajac kept his composure to complete his debut hat trick and give New Mills their 8th of the afternoon. 8-1.

The final whistle was eventually blown and the afternoon’s excitement was over.

Another action packed game confirming the notion that you’re always guaranteed goal at a Gabs match. A weakened Gabs side were taught a harsh lesson against high Flyers New Mills, lets hope they take them lessons and apply a positive solution for the mid week fixture at home to Chadderton FC.

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