Winsford United 0-2 The Millers

The Millers produced a dogged performance to earn all three points from the bottom of the table battle against Winsford United, Chris Baguley’s side recording their fourth consecutive clean sheet in the process, as long range efforts by Kai Haigh and Danny Warburton sealed the victory.

With Darius Photiou and Callum Preece unavailable Baguley made changes to the team that defeated Cheadle Heath Nomads so comprehensively at weekend, Jack Lever returning at right back and Kai Haigh coming in for his first start in midfield, while the hosts, who came into the game with three wins out of four in the league, included former Miller Adam Stuart in their starting line up.

The home side settled the quicker, Ashley Leather causing problems on the right flank early on, Malachi Babayale and Danny Warburton picking up early cautions, firing a number of crosses into the area which were scrambled away by The Millers defence. Both sides struggled to play on a difficult surface and it became a battle of attrition, The Millers unable to play their usual slick style and Winsford also struggling to link play in the middle of the pitch, as long balls became the order of the day.

It was from a long ball that the deadlock was broken, on 33 minutes a mix up between Arran Lyons and his defence, saw a weak clearance only reach Haigh 35 yards out, and with the goalkeeper well out of his goal The Millers midfielder lofted into an empty net to register a goal in successive games. The goal settled the visitors who were the better side for the remainder of the half but were unable to add to their lead.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first, both sides enjoyed periods of dominance, until the closing stages when the home side, coming down the hill, forced The Millers back to defend deep. Joey Oldham produced several fine saves, one in particular to keep out a clever effort by Leather was perhaps the save of the season so far, and Winsford earned a succession of corner kicks. The Millers threatened on the break, in injury time substitute Sam Deering crossed for Rob Payne who headed against the post, and it was from such an attack that they clinched the game. Another mix up involving Lyons and his defence saw the keeper robbed 25 yards out and Warburton turned and curled into the empty net from 25 yards out to seal the win. There was still time for Winsford to launch several attacks, but with Babayale recovering magnificently from his early problems, Jack Lever excellent and The Millers central defenders Rogers and Pauley in superb form once again, the defence held firm.