Player-manager scores twice in cup victory

Derbyshire Senior Cup second round: Graham St Prims 0-2 New Mills AFC

New Mills AFC progressed to the third round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup with a hard-fought two-goal victory at Derby-based Graham St Prims, as joint player-manager Mike Norton netted his first goals for the club.

With clubs from the higher levels joining the competition in the third round, the Millers now face the very real prospect of a high-profile local derby against the likes of Glossop North End, Buxton or even Derby County in the coming stages.

With several players unavailable due to work commitments, the Millers bosses, Norton and Dave Birch, added to their squad by bringing in goalkeeper Dylan Forth from Mossley and promoting Ethan Carter and Sam Watson from the Under 21s. 

Forth was to make the starting line-up behind a defence of Chiek Thiam, James Neild, Tommy Lent and Mason Fallon, while Watson and Carter made the substitutes bench. Darren McKnight skippered the side from midfield, alongside Benito Lowe and Adam Cooper, with Nathan Ntalu, Will Ozono and Norton in attack. Alex Elliott, Ryan Lawson and Nathan Webb joined the two youngsters on the Millers bench.

In spite of the lengthy journey, the Millers started well and it came as no surprise when they took the lead through Norton on 13 minutes. 

And the experienced striker was to add to his tally late on to double the Millers' lead and secure their place in the next round, where they will hope to land an attractive and money-spinning home tie.

The Millers aren't playing this weekend on Non League Day but the Under-21s are in action at Church Lane on Sunday against Irlam in the League Challenge Cup.