Castleton Gabriels Vs New Mills

A rain soaked evening saw Gabs play host to the division leaders New Mills in the first encounter of the season. Captain Steve McCann and poacher Andrew Pheby were both suspended, so Graham Hicks took the captains armband, and Christian Evans used as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

Assistant manager Lee Chadwick was also thrown into the 5-man midfield, hopefully his presence would inspire a depleted Gabs.

Mills as expected started the game brightly, attacking from the off set and looked to test the central defensive partnership of Watkinson and Brannick. But a resilient Castleton also began well; comfortably fending off any Mills attacks.

Skilful winger Nathan Eastmond started the game, his early performance must have had everyone wondering why he doesn’t start every game as his pace and skill was proving a huge problem for Mill’s defence. On the opposite side of the field, Right-winger Carl Winstanley was finally showing his worth, as he made several testing runs through the New Mills strong hold, but was unable to capitalise.

Against the run of play New Mills got the first of the evening. A miss hit shot landed to striker Kharas who appeared to be at least two yards offside, and with the help of the deluded lines-man, slotted home for the first of the evening,

Gabs clearly felt hard done by, and quickly went in search of an equaliser. A neat through ball fell to Gabs striker Evans who danced round several Mills defenders, played the ball to Eastmond whose tame shot was collected by the keeper.

Moment’s later Eastmond was on the run again. Given the ball on the left wing, he skimmed past the defence but again his shot was straight at the keeper.

As half time approached, and the anticipation of a meat pie, the second goal of the afternoon was scored. New Mills were awarded a corner in the 44th minute. The ball was played into the box; Gabs keeper Canning was unable to collect the in-swinger that fell to Mills striker Kharas who converted through a sea of bodies.

The second half started where it had left off, Mills awarded in a corner on 49 minutes, the ball was played low to Carlos Meakin, who was left unchallenged at the near post and volleyed home from close range to claim a very flattering third goal.

Assistant manager Chadwick and Michael Ward had so far controlled the midfield battle well, and were spreading the ball out as much as possible. Michael Ward on one occasion playing in Aerodynamic winger Carl Winstanley, who lacked composure in front of goal, and shot wide.

Disaster happened on 63 minutes. Taking into consider the strong winds, Canning opted to pass the ball to his defence rather than kicking against the wind from a dead ball, but little did the defenders know that New Mills forward Bingham was lurking around the box.

Dean Watkinson was given the ball just inside the area, But Bingham quickly pounced on Watkinson and muscled him off the ball, Canning could then do little to stop him slotting the ball into the back of the net to claim the fourth of the afternoon.

Undeterred by the score line, Gabs showed their ability and treated the crowd to some fine individual ability. Skipping through the defence, Eastmond did all he could to break the Millers defence.

Fellow winger Winstanley who was tremendous all game, combined well with anchorman Michael Ward, but some last ditch defending from New Mills prevented that elusive Gabs goal, that would surely open the floodgates.

Towards the end Alan Brannick skilfully bicycle-kicked the ball into his “own net” after a cross was swung in, but fortunately the referee signalled offside to spare his blushes.

The game finished a generous 4-0, and Castleton will feel hard done by knowing that simple mistake’s, and a Mills friendly linesman, gifted victory to Mills who had been dominated all game by a resilient Midfield.

A trip to the seaside awaits the Gabriel’s this weekend, and after a brief visit to the sea life centre, a quick blast on the Big One. Gabs will be hoping for a reward of fish and chips on the promenade after recording an overdue win against the Vegas of the north’s very own…Blackpool Mechanics.