NEW MILLS 4 – 1 WHITCHURCH ALPORT
 
A first half hat-trick from Dennis Sheriff dented any chance Luke Goddard`s side had of automatic promotion as the Millers punished the away team with a strong, clinical display at Church Lane.
 
After a morale boosting win against promotion chasers Prestwich Heys on Thursday night the hosts started the game strongly and soon took the lead via that man Sheriff. Poor defending allowed the Millers time to drive through midfield where the ball ended up with Sheriff who skipped a couple of tackles before slotting beyond Danny Read in goal. This goal woke up the visitors and chances began to be created. Alport skipper Sean Griffiths found space on the edge of the box and fired a powerful strike at goal, Millers goalkeeper Ollie Martin made a terrific save to parry the ball away. Then Lee Pickerill squandered a golden opportunity when the ball fell at his feet ten yards out but leaning back his shot went high and wide. However the pressure from the Reds was soon rewarded when central defender Ryan Thomas calmly finished at the near post from a Dean Twigg corner.
 
The game was now very even with Alport enjoying good periods after a slow start. Despite this improvement the match was soon gifted to the Millers as Sheriff added two goals in the final ten minutes of the half. Both goals were very similar as Sheriff peeled off Thomas to gain space where he finished with ease past Read. The striker caused problems for much of the afternoon for the Reds defence and his first half treble gave the Millers a well deserved lead at half time.
 
Goddard`s words at the break livened the visitors up as they came out trying to force their way back into the game. Shawn Melusi moved over to the right hand side and was causing problems for the home side. In the 60th minute Pickerill was hauled down and a penalty given to Alport, the perfect opportunity to gain momentum and test the Millers. Johns stepped up but his effort was saved well by the impressive Martin. Alport`s sixth missed penalty of the campaign summed up a frustrating afternoon. The sucker punch soon followed, Joe Howell miss controlled in the oppositions box as the Reds pushed forward. With quality and pace the hosts broke away on the counter attack where the ball finally finished with Jack McConnell who made no mistake drilling into the bottom corner to extend the Millers lead.
 
Both sides showed signs of tiredness in the final twenty minutes and although Alport tried their best it was all in vain as the home side saw the game out well to earn an impressive victory. A fourth game in a week looked to have taken its toll on the Alport squad in what was a disappointing performance both offensively and defensively. No doubt the penalty miss would’ve been a turning point but it wasn’t to be for the Reds as Goddard`s men suffered their heaviest defeat of the season.