Second half goals by Shelton Payne and Darren McKnight saw The Millers defeat Cheadle Town at Park Road and progress to the Second Round of the FA Vase for the first time since returning to the North West Counties League in 2016, but they were made to fight all the way by a Cheadle side they had narrowly beaten at Church Lane ten days previously.

Preparation was not ideal for The Millers bosses Dave Birch and Mike Norton as in form Michael Connor and Jake Pollard were ruled out through injury, Sam Fitzgerald is a long term absentee with a calf problem and Sam Amankwaa withdrew from the squad late on after picking up a knock in training. Benito Lowe was restored to the starting line up in attack, with Shelton Payne and Ben Edgson joining him at the front of the line up. Youngster Jack Wray had impressed at right back in recent games and he kept his place, Harry Norris, Jared Wild and Captain Mason Fallon making up the rest of the back four in front of Dylan Forth. Kyle Oakes, Darren McKnight and Gary Gee completed the line up across the middle of the pitch.

The Millers started well, Lowe seeing his close range effort saved by Dillnutt on nine minutes and going close again on 22 minutes when sent clear by McKnight he lobbed narrowly wide. The home side battled their way into the game and were the stronger for the remainder of the opening period.

After some stern words from their management team during the interval Birch and Norton’s side tore out of the traps in the second half, Shelton Payne forcing Dillnutt into two fine saves. On 55 minutes the home keeper was helpless as Kyle Oakes lofted a pass into the path of Payne and this time he made no mistake lobbing home from 25 yards out to give The Millers the lead.

Cheadle battled back once more and went close on 65 minutes, Forth saving well from Moran and with seven minutes to go Foster inexplicably hit the post when unmarked four yards out. With time running out the pace of substitute Teddy Osipitan was a constant threat as The Millers looked to pick the home side off on the counter attack and on 87 minutes he was brought down in the area for a penalty. Darren McKnight was the coolest man in Park Road as he stepped up and placed the resulting spot kick into the top corner to seal the in for The Millers and send them through the next round.

It was a fine win for The Millers, Jack Wray, Gary Gee, Mason Fallon and Harry Norris impressing in particular, but every player produced what was asked of them and sent the visiting supporters home happy.