Following yesterday's announcement that The Millers will face AFC Darwen in our opening pre-season friendly of 2021/22, we look back at some classic fixtures against Darwen Football Club, former members of the North West Counties Football League, a side we met many times during the 2000's.

Many Millers supporters will remember Tony Hancock famously scoring the games only goal in March 2006 at a packed Church Lane, in the early days of his managerial reign, while in October 2007 goals from Garry Kharas and Anthony Bingham earned all three points as The Millers surged to promotion.

Here we feature one of the final games of that 2007/08 campaign, as Hancock's side turned on the style towards the end of their promotion season. A crowd of more than 200 attended on 19 April 2008.

The Millers 4-0 Darwen

With promotion secured at Padiham earlier in the week, leaders New Mills recorded their eighth successive League victory as they crushed Darwen 4-0 at Church Lane on Saturday.

In a game as one sided as the score line suggests, The Millers dominated the game from the start and even when leading scorer Carlos Meakin missed a glorious chance to open the scoring in the first minute, he quickly made amends shortly after when following a pass from strike partner Kenny Mayers, Meakin was left one on one with Darwen keeper Callum Hennigan and he tucked the ball confidently into the net.

Left winger Adam Morning was the danger man and he constantly tormented right back Matt Howarth and he nearly doubled the advantage when he again easily beat the Darwen defence but his shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded directly into the arms of the grateful Hennigan.

Two goals shortly after the half hour killed the game off for The Millers – firstly following good work from Joe Shaw, Adam Morning again easily beat his marker and after drawing the keeper, he unselfishly passed the ball to Meakin who had the simple task of scoring his second goal of the afternoon as well as his 30th for the season.

Two minutes later, Morning was then rewarded for his outstanding first half performance when he acrobatically volleyed in a Kenny Mayers flick to effectively wrap the three points up.

There was no let up for the visitors after the interval as the hosts created chance after chance and really should have scored more than the one goal although the best was certainly saved until last. Kenny Mayers picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and in one movement swivelled and sent a left foot shot arrowing into the bottom corner. This was Kenny’s 10th goal since signing for The Millers in February and he has certainly become a fans favourite in that time.

With two matches remaining of the season, a win at home to Chadderton next week would probably seal the title for The Millers as they currently have a superior goal difference to second place Kirkham and Wesham.

Team – Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Ryan, D Jackson ( S Dignan ), Hooper, Shaw ( D Dignan ), Knight ( Zajac ), Mayers, Meakin, Morning. Unused subs – George, S Jackson