A very young looking Silkmen squad, with an average age of just 19 went down 4-3 in an entertaining game against North West Counties side New Mills last night. Watched over by John Askey the home team went into a two goal lead inside the first fifteen minutes, both goals coming from set pieces.

Undeterred the Silkmen fought back to go into the break on level terms with both strikes coming from Kristian Dennis. The home team were to regain their two goal cushion again before the in-form Dennis completed his hat-trick. But despite the result John Askey was very pleased with events.

"It was a very competitive fixture against a much older and experienced side," said John. "We looked a bit shaky at set pieces but that aside it was a good game of football. Kristian took his goals very well and proved yet again he knows where the goal is. He may not be the tallest but he has got good body strength and his movement and work rate were excellent and he fully deserved his hat-trick."