Recap
NEW MILLS 1 V 1 1874 NORTHWICH
1874 travelled to Derbyshire for their last pre-season away game and although there were some bright spots in their play they returned to Cheshire after missing many good opportunities in the game although it would be fair to say that many of their efforts were thwarted by some excellent goalkeeping.
The first chance of the game came after 17 minutes when Scott McGowan, who was busy all evening, controlled a difficult ball well that was played into the edge of the area and in the same movement he lobbed the ball goal wards only to see the keeper save well.
The hosts were keen to get forward as often as possible but they came up against a strong 1874 backline that was well marshalled by the return to their ranks of Danny Meadowcroft and as such the 74 keeper was rarely troubled in the first half.
However, the same could not be said for the home keeper who was kept very busy for as 1874 searched for the opening goal. In truth the keeper was certainly up to all that was thrown at him as he saved well again twice from McGowan and also from Whitlock and Hind so ensuring that the score remained at nil nil at the interval.
The picture remained the same at the start of the second period and in the 47th Minute after Parker had unselfishly pulled the ball back across goal to allow Whitlock to score the keeper again “came out on top” as he managed to deflect the effort wide to one again thwart 74!
However, the impressive away following of 1874 were soon feeling much happier when their side were awarded a penalty in the 74th minute. The home keeper did his best with his “delaying tactics” whilst McGowan readied himself to take the kick but when he did and in fairness he struck the ball well but to his dismay it hit the crossbar and bounced away to safety!
Minutes later and McGowan saw yet another good effort well saved and the same “fate” was suffered by his colleague Sam Hind as the keeper continued to keep his side level.
However, the goal that their play had so richly deserved finally came and of course it was fitting that it was McGowan who scored but alas it was not to be the “winning goal” as, in the dying seconds, New Mills equalised courtesy of a good corner that avoided a number of players in the crowded penalty area before eventually being deflected by someone into the net
vs 
1874 Northwich