Bury 2 Millwall 3, League One, Game 19,26/11/16, att: 3,022 (442)

Aiden O'Brien steals the show

OK it was only Bury and they go down to ten men after a hand ball in their box but to come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 was a perfect way to make us all happy over the weekend. This was a one sided match as you will ever see one but first half we could not get the ball in the net. Harry smith was making himself busy in the opposition box and he was a bit of a menace to the Bury defence but half time and it was 0-0. Bury nicked two goals in the first 22 minutes of the 2nd half and for a couple of minutes it looked like it was over. Aiden O'Brien was brought on in between the two goals and he must have thought we will have to do something special here. Fred come to the rescue beating two defenders and then he chipped the keeper but it didn't go in as a hand ball was spotted a red card followed and Shaun Williams stroked the penalty home GAME ON

We upped the tempo and was hammering on the Bury goal  and were sensing a come back and with Alfie Pavey and Calum Butcher now on the field Neil Harris was using all his options to at least get a draw out of this game. With four minutes of normal time to go Calum Butcher pressing high up the field managing to get his head to the ball and we were level. It was not long after that Aiden O'Brien stole the show with two minutes of extra time played when he cracked home the winner from a low cross from Fred and our travelling 442 went into orbit and were dancing in the aisles. O'Brien after taking off his shirt joined them and it was moment that will stick in my mind for evermore and I suppose a good few others. All in all a glorious win and three points that take us closer to the promotion spots...up the Wall

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin (Pavey 83m), Craig, Webster, Worrall (O'Brien 62m), Williams, Abdou (Butcher 74m), Ferguson, Smith, Fred Onyedinma,
subs not used, King, Thompson, Cummings, Mbulu

Goals: Williams 70m pen,   Butcher 86m,   O'Brien 92m,
-----
Bury: Williams, Jones (Bedeau 46m), Etuhu, Kay, Mayor, Pope, Vaughan, Danns (Tutte 46m), Soares, Burgess, Maher
subs not used, Dudley, Rachubka, Hope, Miller, Styles

Goals: Vaughan 61m, 67m

Millwall 0 AFC Wimbledon 0, League One, Game 18, 22/11/12 att:8,614 (1,164)

TUESDAY NIGHT

Those that went will know about the worlds dumbest seagull

WE MISSED THE TWO UP FRONT FOR THIS ONE

Lee Gregory and Steve Morison missing

It didn't really click with Harry Smith and Aiden O'Brien leading our attack and although we spent plenty of time in and around Wimbledon's box we really didn't trouble their keeper.Paul Robinson was at the back for the opposition and our lack of fire gave him a simple night.He was given a Robbo, Robbo by some of us after the game and did he raise his shirt to show us a Millwall Tattoo. It's good to see him still playing and I wonder if he could still do a job for us. I don't think he's any worse than we have got at the moment.

Robbo helps to keep us quiet

Wimbledon went down to ten men on 74 minutes after a foul on Fred but with the quarter hour to go we still could not get the ball in the net. It was a strange game in some respect as we had a lot of the ball and a lot of shots off and on target but we didn't dominate the game and we had to defend at times. I think we had a decent hold on the midfield and good linking with the defence but with Gregory and Morison missing we lacked that cutting edge and a normal style of attacking play. Its worrying that cover for injuries or suspension to our top players seems to be light. I cannot see quality replacements being avaikable in the January transfer window. It may be the case that if we get into this fix again a different style of play maybe needed.

No luck with putting it away

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin, Craig, Webster, Worrall, Williams, Ferguson,Thompson(Butcher 80m), Smith, O'Brien (Onyedinma 66m)

subs not used, King, Abdou, Cummings, Mbulu, Pavey

Wimbledon: Shea, Fuller, Meades, Bulman, Robinson, Francomb (Beere 71m), Reeves, Elliot, Poleon (Owens 75m), Taylor (Whelpdale 64m), Robertson

subs not used, McDonnell, Nightingale, Barnett, Egan,

Bolton 2 Millwall 0, League One, Game 17, 19/11/16 att:13,110

Steve Morison out

I did not expect us to win this one but I was hopeful that we would.We have a decent run up to this game so no moans from me. If we start again against Wimbledon Tuesday we shall be back on track for a play-off slot before Christmas.We had one attempt on target and had as much chance of winning it as I have of winning the lottery. Bolton were strong at the back and of course they have Mark Beevers who is bound to play well.

That will do

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Webster, Craig, J Martin (Ferguson 79), Onyedinma, Thompson
 (Butcher84), Williams, O'Brien, Gregory (Worrall 39), Smith

Bolton: Alnwick, Wilson, Oseade, Beevers, A Taylor, Spearing, Trotter (Thorpe 47), Ameobi, Vela, Clough (Henry 75), Madine (Proctor 87)

Millwall 4 Bristol Rovers 0, League One, Game 16, att: 9,645 (1,018)

Cold Blow Lane

Bristol Rovers were reduced to ten me on 14 minutes when the defender Leadbetter was sent off for a professional foul and although Rovers still managed to give us a game they finally succumb to the Lions onslaught and young striker Harry Smith making his full league debut finished the scoring off went he picked up a sloppy Rovers pass and turned an poked it in from close range. He had scored a couple at Luton in the Checkatrade Trophy midweek but this was surreal as he put it to score at the Den in front of the Cold Blow Lane end. He's off and running so let's watch this space.

Cold Blow Lane

Celebrating Smithy's Goal

We have had some decent wins recently and had some good results but this one must be near the top. I know Bristol were reduced to ten men so we had the advantage but you still have to put the ball in the net and to do it four times is a result. Aiden O'Brien scored to get us up and running when he picked up a the ball after Lee Gregory's shot was blocked and fired home on 22 minutes.
Harry Smith nearly scored at the beginning of the second half with a shot low to the ground but the keeper parried and the loose ball nearly reached Gregory but the ref blew for a foul. Rovers were giving it ago but although they had some decent moments on 64 minutes Shaun Williams scored our second when Gregory who was everywhere throughout the game passed and Williams shot on the angle gave the keeper no chance. Lee Gregory eventually scored himself a few minutes later after Harry Smith set him up from a header and Gregory tucked in away and sent the Den into orbit. As mentioned earlier Smith scored our fourth and we move to just one point outside the play off spots with 24 points.

Top Eight: 
1) Scunthorpe 37 pts,   2)Bradford City 32 pts,    3)Bolton 31 pts,    4)Sheffield Utd 28pts,   5)Bristol Rovers 26pts,    6)Port Vale 25pts,    7)Northampton 24pts,    8)Millwall 24pts

  ***

Millwall: Archer, Martin, Craig, Webster, Williams (Cummings 86m), Thompson (Butcher 72m), Gregory, Onyedinma, Romeo, O'Brien (Worrall 62m) Smith
subs no used, King, Pavey, Rooney,

Goals: O.Brien 22m,  Williams 64m,  Gregory 68m,  Smith 88m

_____

Bristol Rovers: Roos, Leadbitter, Brown, Lockyer, Hartley, Harrison, Taylor (Easter 73m, Lines, Sinclair, Boateng (Montano 65m, Colket (McChrystal 23m),
subs not used, Puddy, Clarke, Gaffney, Jams

Oxford United 1 Millwall 2, League One, Game 15, 29/10/12, att:7,944 (934)

A CLASSIC 25 YARDER

We come from behind to win this game and its a big win. We started on the attack early and Steve Morison come close with just a few seconds on the clock when his effort went over the bar.
Oxford scored first after 31 minutes when our defence went walkie's and they scored at the back post
We did not wilt and we equalised with just another five minutes on the clock when Steve Morison got hold of the ball from Lee Gregory and whacked one in from distance. A classic 25 yarder and a volley at that.

We went ahead early in the second half when Aiden O'Brien picked the ball up from Mahlon Romeo and after a touch smacked the ball past the oppositions keeper.and we had 41 minutes to defend the lead  We managed do that and could have had more. Oxford finished the game strongly and were trying hard to score but we were solid and collected the three points. Happy days again.

Millwall: Archer, Craig, Williams, Thompson (Abdou 88m), Gregory (Butcher 77m), Onyedinma, Romeo, Webster, Ferguson, Morison, O'Brien (Martin 65m)
subs not used, King, Worrall, Hutchinson, Smith

Goals: Morison 36m   O'Brien 49m

Oxford United: Eastwood, Skarz (Hemmings 85m), Lundstram, Nelson, Edwards (Roberts 62m), Rothwell, Johnson, Dunkley
subs not used, Buchel, MacDonald, Raglan, Taylor

Goal: Sercombe 31m

Millwall 2 Fleetwood 1, League One, Game 14 , 22/10/16, att: 8,058 (89)

At least we didn't concede early in this game and we come away with the three points, Lee Gregory set us up for the victory when he buried a penalty after 30 minutes after Fred Onyedinma was judged to have fouled in the Fleetwood box. Gregory stepped up and thumped it into the bottom corner and with the Lions now in front we were looking for a home win and perhaps a solid win at that.Shaun Williams had come close about five minutes before the penalty with one of his specials that to me looked like it was in but a top drawer save by the opposition keeper just resulted in a corner.

Lee Gregory sinks his second pen

It did not take much time after the start of the 2nd half for us to extend the lead when Byron Webster who took a position in the Fleetwood box for a Williams corner ended up on the ground and for our second penalty of the game Lee Gregory buried the ball and all we had to do was work hard keep the northerners at bay and the three points were ours. On 65 minutes it was squeaky bum time when the away side pulled one back after once again we didn't cose down and they scored from about 20 yards out. We nearly scored again with 80 minutes on the clock when Gregory looking for his hat trick headed over the bar. We defended strongly with Lee Martin and Shaun Hutchinson now on the pitch and the three points was in the bag.

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Ferguson(Martin 83m), Craig, Webster, O'Brien(Abdou 76m), Williams, Thompson, Gregory9Hutchinson 89m), Morison, Onyedinma
subs not used, King, Wylde, Worrall, Butcher

Goals: Gregory 31m pen,  48m pen
___

Fleetwood: Neal, McLaughlin, Bell, Eastham(Bolger 82m), Pond, Ryan, Ball, Grant, Long(Cole 69m), Woolford(Hunter 59m), Dempsey
subs not used, Cairns, Jooson, Sowerby, Wallace

Goal: Hunter 65m

Millwall 0 Bolton Wanderers 2, League One, Game 13 ,att: 7,898 (389)

CONCEDE EARLY AND GET NOUGHT

After the away win at Northampton and thought we would take the three points from this game, I was a bit wrong there. We conceded early again and all though we gave them a decent game they scored again four minutes from time and that was that. I noted that Fred and Romeo had a good thing going up the wing and there was some decent interplay between them but nothing that resulted in a goal.
Mark Beevers was back at the Den now playing for Bolton and all though he got a few boos from the stands I could see why we have missed him.

Bolton scored after three minutes which I must admit was a good shot and Jordan Archer had no chance with it.We had some decent play trying to pull things back but no luck whatsoever in front of goal. We finished the first half on a high when Fred split the Bolton defence and a Ben Thompson effort went over the bar.

James Henry was brought on second half for Bolton and he was made most welcome,,not
We had plenty of the ball second half and we were whipping in crosses. Shaun Williams come close after Steve Morrison passed him the ball half hour into the second half but it flew just wide.Bolton kept us out and four minutes before normal time was up Bolton scored their second and we trudged off home with nought.

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin (Ferguson 73m), Craig, Webster, Williams, Butcher, Onyedinma (Worrell 73m), Thompson (O'Brien 58m), Gregory, Morison,
subs not used, King, Nelson, Abdou, Pavey

_____

Bolton: Howard, Beevers, Vela, Spearing, Clough (Proctor 87m), Madine, Taylor, Ameobi (Henry 68m), Wilson, Wheater, Thorpe (Osede 29m),
subs not used, Alnwick, Dervite, Anderson, Trotter

Goals: Ameobi 3m,  Wheater 86m

Northampton 1 Millwall 3, League One, Game 12, 15/10/16, att: 6,908 (1,019)

That was a good win

The win against Gillingham gave us momentum and this classic win on the road warmed the cockles.
Over 1000 Wall made the trip and they were rewarded with a superb win which Steve Morison made sure of in the 88th minute when he was fed a forward pass and he lifted the ball over the Northampton keeper and the 3-1 win was ours.

Lee Gregory started us off when Shaun Williams sent in a pass to him just passed the half-hour mark and despite having his shirt nearly ripped off his back he shot superbly into the far corner. The start of the second half saw McCourt for Northampton get sent off for a second yellow card after a clumsy lunge on Fred Onyedinma and we capitalised shortly afterwards when Callum Butcher inside the penalty area fired beyond the keeper. Northampton made it interesting by pulling one back on 80 minutes but as mentioned earlier Morison sealed the win and 1019 went home happy.

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin, Craig, Webster, Williams, Butcher, Thompson (Worrall 78m), Onyedinma (Ferguson 65m), Gregory (Abdou 84m), Morison
subs not used: King, Philpot, Nelson, Pavey

Goals: Gregory 31m, Butcher 59m, Morison 88m

_____

Northampton: Smith, Moloney, Buchanan, Anderson (Gorre 85m), Diamond, McCourt, Revell, Beautyman (Hoskins 46m), O'Toole, Nyatanga, Hooper (Richards, 64m),
subs not used, Zakuani, Byrom, Potter, Cornell

Goal: Richards 80m

Millwall 2 Gillingham 1, Checkatrade Trophy, Game 2, 4/10/16, att: 2,240 (143)

At lease we didn't get beat

We play a 4-3-3-formation

We didn't start this game with the same team that got beat by Walsall Saturday. Noah Chesmain and James Brown from the academy started. Tom King was in goal and Twardek, Rooney and Philpot was on the bench alongside Morison, Abdou and Martin. We laboured first half and went down the tunnel at half-time 1-1 thanks to a Fred Onyedinma goal right at the death when he headed in from close range. It seems that old players of ous always come back to haunt us as Josh Wright scored for the opposition when we failed to deal with a corner.

There is a tournament boycott going on

It was all a bit of a wilderness

143 away support

Dockers not open

We started the 2nd half with a couple of substitutions which resulted in Steve Morison and Joe Martin coming on and we stepped up our performance and now looked like we could score and perhaps win the game. We could not score and as the game was coming to a end Steve Morison won possession and buried the ball with one of his superb finishes.Wembley here we come :-)

Millwall: King, Craig, Williams, Gregory, Thompson, Onyedinma, Wylde (Morison 46m), Nelson, Butcher, Brown (Abdou 54m), Chesmain (Martin 46m), 

subs not used, Archer, Twardek, Philpot, Rooney

Goals: Onyedinma 45m   Morison 88m

__________

Gillingham: Nelson, Jackson (Knott 71m), Herd (Byrne 61m), Oshilaja, Ehmer, Hessenthaler, Donnelly, Osadebe, List, Wright, Park

Goal: Wright 17

Walsall 2 Millwall 1, League One, Game 11, 1/10/16, att: 4,474 (570)

ANOTHER LOOSE BALL IN THE BOX AND WE GO HOME WITH NOUGHT

Played 10, won 3, drawn 3, lost 4, gd-4, pts 12
We cannot buy a game at the moment and that's our 3rd defeat on the trot. We pounded Walsall in the second half but we had no luck, Shaun Williams and Steve Morison went close and Lee Gregory curled one just over but we could not level the score and a late flurry at the end of the game could still not produce a finish that would have sent the travelling 570 home reasonably happy.We suffered in this game once again by conceded early and we done this twice by conceding in the 17th minute first half and then just four  minutes into the second half we were beaten again. Balls in from wings seem to cause us problems and our marking and our closing down of players we must improve on. Fred scored which is always a pleasure when he powered in a header from close range after a Mahlon Romeo's ball picked him out. We are just outside a relegation spot but only because better goal difference and we better get our defensive act together or else there will be no way back. That worry maybe a bit over the top but if we don't start winning soon "shit happens.

Millwall: Archer, Martin (Wylde 81m), Craig, Williams, Gregory, Onyedinma (Philpot 90m), Romeo, Ferguson, Webster, Morison, Abdou (Thompson 74m),
subs not used, King, Twardek, Butcher

Goal: Onyedinma 22m

Walsall: Etheridge, Laird, O'Connor, McCarthy, Dobson (Kinsella 83m), Chambers, Jackson (Makris 90m), Oztumer, Morris, Toner, Moussa (Kouhyar 73m),
subs not used, MacGillivrary, Ginnelly, Bakayoko

Goals: Jackson 17, Moussa 49

Millwall 2 Rochdale 3, League One, Game 9, 24/9/16, att: 8,143 (about 200)

We went 1-0 down to a simple unchallenged goal 

We haven't won a league game since we beat Chesterfield and losing to Southend last week and being beating by bottom side Rochdale 3-2 at the Den this Saturday things means things are not looking good. Our defence is not up to it at the moment and I cannot see with the players we have got how we can improve it. We went 1-0 down to a simple unchallenged goal in the 8th minute and giving anybody that much space to stroke the ball past Jordan Archer is not League 1 defending, come to think of it, it is not even League 2 defending. We had a comeback and took a 2-1 lead in less than 10 minutes when Aiden O'Brien scored one of his specials and Lee Gregory who was back in the side after his injury buried from the spot.

We set one up. Up front we don't have a problem

I was thinking at haf time that we had this game won and a 3rd goal would kill them off. That didn't happen as Rochdale scored from a header after a free kick on 67 minutes and levelled the scores. A few minutes later Ben Thompson got a red card after he received his 2nd yellow for what? "I don't know. If you cannot win a ball with a solid honest challenge I am not sure which way the game is going. A crap decision by a crap referee.It looked like the game was going to end in a draw for the 3rd home game in a row but Rochdale nicked it right at the death after Sid Nelson fouled in the box and they scored from the spot. I don't rate our defence and nowhere near good enough, we need to clear out the deadwood.

Millwall: Archer, Craig, Williams, Nelson, Webster, Thompson, Romeo, Ferguson(Abdou 75m), Morison, Gregory(Onyedinma 87), O'Brien (Worral 26)
subs not used, King, Wylde, Butcher, Chesmain

Goals: O'Brien 11,  Gregory 18 pen

Rochdale: Lillis, Canavan, McGahey (Rafferty 45), Lund, Andrew, Camps, McDermott (Davis 52m), Thompson (Odelusi 61m), Keane, Bunney, Henderson
subs not used, Logan, Rathbone, Noble-Lazarus, Allen

_________

17/9/16, Southend 3 Millwall 1, League One, Game 8, att: 5,829 (1,923)

NO WHERE AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR

We were off the boil for this one and the massive travelling support were not rewarded with anything that come close to a proper Millwall display. We had the first chance after a couple off minutes and a few chances afterwards but it went Pete Tong from there as Southend took the lead early through a defected shot.We had chances throughout the rest of the half and equalised on 33 minutes when he scored from one of his specials as he clipped home the equaliser. Jordan Archer saved well right at the end of the half and all equal at the break. It didn't last long as yet again Southend score early and with only 5 second half minutes on the clock (I seem to say this a lot) Southend score.That was that and we conceded a third with two minutes to go on the clock.

Millwall: Archer, Martin (Gregory 39m),Craig, Williams, Worrall, Romeo, Butcher (Thompson 62m), Webster, Ferguson, Morison, O'Brien
subs not used, King, Onyedinma, Wylde, Nelson, Abdou

Goal: O'Brien 33m

Southend: Oxley, White, Coker, Thompson, Barrett, Mooney (Cox 88m), McLaughlin (Oneil 72m), Atkinson, McGlashan (Kyprianou 84m), Leonard, Demetriou
subs not used, Smith, King, Bridge, Inniss

Goals: Mooney 6m, McLaughlin 50m, Oneil 88m

Millwall 1 Coventry City 1, League One, Game 7, 10,9,16, att: 8,755

Sordell scores a goal and could have got a 2nd.

THIS MAY BE HARSH

Coventry were down near the bottom with just 3 points before this game and us in a play-off spot could have went top. That didn't happen as we laboured to get anything from this game. Once again we were better 2nd half but nowhere near a performance that may have got us the three points, we may have fluked it if we had a bit more luck but even that was lacking.

Keep plodding away

Coventry got off light and so did their supporters as the ground was as threatening as Dulwich Hamlet. I think I heard a gentle clap from the Cold Blow Lane end and one or two abusing the linesman for his constant off-side flag. I cannot add much more apart from Steve Morison's ball to Aiden O;Brien was spot on and the finish was superb.

I hope this is right I have checked it twice, our last defeat at home in a league game was a 2-0 defeat against Scunthorpe on the 16-2-16 so we must be doing something right and I think I know what it is. "A dogged resolve to keep plodding away and a desire not to be beaten.
_
Millwall: Archer, Martin, Craig, Williams, Worrall, Thompson (Butcher 76m), Onyedinma (Ferguson 60m), Romeo, Webster, Morison, O'Brien (Philpot 88m)
subs not used, King, Wylde, Nelson, Abdou

Goal: O'Brien 71m
___

Coventry: Charles-Cook, Willis, Turnbull, Bigirimana, Lameiras (Jones 75m), Reid (Agyei 79m), Gadzhev, Page (Kelly-Evans 64m), Sordell, Ricketts, Sterry
subs not used, Burge, Wright, Harries, Stevenson

Goal: Sordell 23m

Millwall 1 Bradford 1, League One, Game 6, 3/9/16, att: 9,067 ( 499 )

LEE GREGORY STILL INJURED--JIMMY AND FERGIE ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY

We were lacking a few players for this game and I think the first half showed it. We at times struggled to hold onto the ball and while Bradford had the bulk of the possession we had the most of the shots and chances. Bradford City took the lead on 42 minutes when Byron Webster scored for them after their winger cut in on Jordan Archer's left and the previously injured (only cleared to play close to kick off) Joe Martin backed off and the winger fired in a cross which Archer got a hand to and Webster attempted to clear but it come of his shin and Bradford were happy. We could have pulled it level with just seconds to go when their keeper Doyle saved superbly from a cracking header from Shaun Williams but not to be and a few moans were heard as they walked off down the tunnel at half time..

Jordan Archer earns his corn, again

The 2nd half and we seemed to take it up a gear, it didn't take long for us to equalise and on 49 minutes Shaun Williams sent a free kick which was cleared and picked up by Joe Martin who fetched us level with a cracking shot and it's game on. With the Den buzzing Millwall were pressing but Bradford scored and a 9000 sigh of relief could be heard when it was ruled off-side. Aiden O'Brien and substitute Fred Onyedinma followed with chances and Steve Morison was doing his best to set things up and score himself but there wasn't that understanding as Lee Gregory was missing from the team. A draw it was to be, but a scary moment right at the end and Bradford nearly nicked all three points but Archer pulled off a blinding save after Mahlon Romeo somehow sent the ball high in the sky which dropped sideways into our penalty box which resulted in a chance for Bradford. Well done Jordan Archer and good luck with the new 3 year contract.

The League so far

Played 6, W 3, D 2, L 1

Top Five---Bolton 14 pts,   Bradford City 12 pts, Fleetwood 11 pts, Millwall 11 pts, Scunthorpe 10 pts

Millwall: Archer, Martin, Craig, Williams, Worral, Thompson, Wylde (Onyedinma 65m), Romeo, Webster, Morison, O'Brien
subs not used, Butcher, Nelson, Smith, Philpot, King, Chesmain

Goal: Martin 49m
__

Bradford City: Doyle, Darby, Meredith, Law, Vincelot, Marshall, Dieng, Clarke, Hiwula (Morais 74m), Knight-Percival, Devine
subs not used, Sattelmaier, Webb-Foster, Kilgallon, Boateng, Hudson

Goal: Webster og 42m

News: Andy Ambler leave the Lions and gets a job with the FA. I am sure we will survive with out him.

Millwall 2 West Brom U23's 0, Checkatrade Trophy Group stage 1 30/8/16, att: 2,054 and about 80 travelling

History will tell what this was all about

There was a cry before this game about boycotting this tournament as the belief is that it is a back door method for the Premier League to have a 2nd division. The crowds were low everywhere and our 2000 I think was the fifth highest of all the Stage One 29 games. The highest crowd count was at Sheffield United which was 3.632 and the lowest was at Fleetwood which was a massive 392

I went because I wanted to

And so did these few

These trophy competition is group staged and we are in the same group as West Brom, Gillingham and Luton.  Luton won their game at Gillingham 2-1. I have a confession to make, I accidentally went wearing my slippers thinking I had my pumps on, that's a first by me and I can't imagine many have done the same. I only noticed half-time when I was outside having a smoke (fag not pipe), I tried to hide them after that but then thought " what's done is done"  I think I got away with it.

The game was ok and West Brom made a game of it but we were a cut above and our young players looked better than theirs. More first team experience I presume. Two of our older players scored the goals with Jimmy Abdou banging one in from close range after a run into the penalty box and Steve Morison whacking home a 75th penalty.

Millwall: King, Craig, Williams (Thompson 65m), Wylde, Romeo, Nelson, O'Brien (Morison 65m), Abdou, Twardek (Worrall 65m), Philpot. Chesmain
subs not used Archer, Webster

Goals: Abdou 62m,   Morison 75m pen
___

West Bromwich U23's: Rose, Wilson, McCourt, Donnellan (Elbouzedi 46m), Fitzwater (Piggott 88m),  O'Shea, Sweeney, Smith ( Pritchatt 78m), Harper, Wright, Nabi
subs not used: Palmer, Wilding, Forss, Melbourne

27/8/16, Chesterfield 1 Millwall 3, League One Game 5 att: 5,689

27/8/16 Chesterfield 1 Millwall 3, League One, Game 5, att: 5,689 ( 513 )

Our first win on the road this season and a Steve Morison double helps to make it a happy long journey home for the travelling 500.I always like to see Shane Ferguson playing further up the pitch as I feel that part of his game is missing when he is playing deeper. It didn't take him long to score, 13 minutes to be exact playing on the left wing where he picked up the ball and droved forward to send the ball low into the corner of the net. Chesterfield upped their game for a period but then that Morison double sent the home side down the tunnel at half-time 3-0 down. His first goal was a peach of a shot and the keeper had no chance of getting near it. Three minutes later he scored his 2nd by picking up the ball after a pass from Shaun Williams and superbly lobbing the keeper.

The 2nd half and Chesterfield pull one back. Fred goes off injured after replacing Joe Martin who was injured in the first half and Sid Nelson comes on. We were still a threat for the rest of the game and we see the game out with our new signing Calum Butcher on the pitch as he replaced Shane Ferguson who went off with a injury.
Millwall: Archer, Martin (Onyedinma 39m (Nelson 46m), Craig, Williams, Worrell, Thompson, Romeo, Webster, Ferguson (Butcher 81m), Morison, O'Brien
subs not used, Wylde, Abdou, Philpot, King

Goals: Ferguson 13m, Morison 38m and 41m
___
Chesterfield: Fulton, McGinn, Hird, Liddle, Evatt, Gardner (Mitchell 52m), Evans, Nolan, Donohue, O'Shea (Dennis 59m), Ariyibi
subs not used, Raglan, Dimaio, Allinson, Simons,Daly

Goal: Hird 65m

23/8/16 EFL Cup round two Millwall 1 Nottingham Forest 2 att: 4009 (707)

Tuesday Night Cup Game

The League Cup

After beating Barnet 4-0 in the first round we take on Forest at home

Some of us made the effort to go and watch this game and we were witness to a half-decent game of football. We made seven changes to the side that beat Sheffield United and although I think had a good first half we went in at half-time 1-0 down.We were busy in and around the Forest box with and with Jamie Philpot making his home debut looking lively had having chances we and the seven academy players were holding our own. Young Fred let fly with a cracking drive that the keeper had to react to smartly and save to his left. We had restricted Forest to almost nought but they scored on 34 minutes and although we had chances after to at least go in level at half-time we did not take them.

In the distance a fair few Forest made the game and no that's not Steve Morison with his feet up. 

Steve Morison come on and Aiden O'Brien went off with half an hour to go and or goal threat dropped off as Steve Morison took up defensive duties (that's how it seemed) and spent most of his time in midfield and wide positions. Forest were having chances but a last ditch tackle from Byron Webster and a clearance from Mahlon Romeo kept the away side out. Shaun Willams come on for Ben Thompson and what a contribution from the midfielder, a 50 yard stroke towards goal perfectly weighted and it drifted over the keeper and into the net. With just under 15 minutes to go we had the time to get another and win this game but with just 2 minutes of normal time to go Forest scored and they go into the next round.

Millwall: King, Romeo, Nelson, Webster, O'Brien( 59m), Onyedinma( Worrall 44m), Thompson(Williams 73m), Wylde, Ferguson, Abdou, Philpot

subs not used. Archer, Martin, Craig, Twardek

Goal: Williams 76m

Nottingham Forest: Henderson, Lichaj, Mills, Perquis, Lam(Pereira 67m), Paterson (Cash 89m), Landsbury, Vaughan, Ward, Thome  (Burke 46m), Veldwijk)

subs not used Smith, Mancienne, Grant, Vellios

Goals: Paterson 34m, Veldwijk 88m

Calum Butcher leaves Burton Albion to come and play with us.

Here we go again-happy as can be-back in League One-after our trip to Wem-ber-lee

2016/17 Season and we are getting a new kit with stripes
After finishing last season on a low with the 1-2 defeat against Barnsley at Wembley we start this season as one of the favourites to go go up. Time will tell and with Mark Beevers signing for Bolton Wanderers hopefully we have somebody who can step up to the plate and make that centre half spot their own. We have options Tony Craig, Sid Nelson, Shaun Williams and perhaps others. Byron Webster now has the job of holding the defence together and perhaps taking the captain's armband.The  idea of Webster taking the armband may raise a few eyebrows but it would help him to focus an see more of the game which a striker may not.
Early June
Seven players leave the club. Carlos Edwards, Lee Martin, Jack Powell, Ed Upson, Keaton Wood, Chris Parr and John Marquis.We all have our thoughts on those we have let go and in my book Carlos Edwards is the best player there or was the best player there and I think he will have to drop a division or two if he still wants to play because age may have finally caught up with him.
With John Berylson backing Neil Harris and money available for another promotion push we are looking for players and have had early talks.  These early talk players were out of contract Mark Beevers and loanee Chris Taylor. The talks come to nought as Beevers and Taylor signed for Bolton Wanderers. It's obvious to me that money was the factor with these two because why else would you go to that souless place of a industral estate a mile in distance outside the town.
Near the end of June
We sign defender Shaun Hutchinson from  Fulham on a two year deal which may have a bearing regarding my earlier comments regarding Byron Webster and the vacant Mark Beevers spot.
This should liven things up as we sign left winger Gregg Wylde on a two year deal from Plymouth and David Worrall from Southend United also a winger and as he says himself a very good header of the ball considering he is only 5'7" tall. If we start getting these balls down the wings and into the box we are going to be banging them in left, right and centre.
Early July
We should have been looking at Folkstone Invicta striker Harry Smith (proper Millwall name that) who is 6'6" tall and was banging them in last season more or less a goal a game but he has a injury so will be coming in for a week trail shortly.
We are in a training camp in Portugul

Middle July
Has the agent been at work? Lee Gregory is going to Rotherham is what I thought but it's nonsense. Rotherham United have been sniffing about and put in a couple of cheeky bids but Lee Gregory who has been training in Portugal with the rest of the team is staying put. Hopefully that is all done and dusted as we have a few pre-season friendlies coming up.

16/7/16 Saturday, Hayes Lane, Pre-season Friendly, 1 Bromley 1 Millwall 2, This was a day when you could fry a egg on the bonnet of your car, it was hot. With Millwall wearing their new strip and new signings David Worrell and Shaun Hutchinson starting this was a game that all though the Lions didn't smash them they won the game in a professional manner with Fred Onyedinma (3mins) and Lee Gregory (27mins)scoring the goals.
We made some changes
Forde(Archer 62), Romeo(Brown 62), Nelson(Webster 62), Hutchinson(Ronney 62), Chesmain (Craig 62), Worrell(Twardek 62), Abdou(Williams 62), Thompson(Farrell 62), Onyedinma (Wylde 62), Gregory(O'Brien 62), Morison (Philpot 62)

_____

19/7/16 Tuesday night, att: 1,407. Pre-season friendly against Dartford at their place and we win 3-0
We made changes from the team that started at Bromley and although some of big guns did not play we comfortably won the game 3-0 and young Fred scored again.and set up Aiden O'Brien to score just over 15 minutes later. Once again there was many changes 2nd half and Jamie Philpot finished the non-leaguers off with ten minutes to go.
Archer (King 60), Brown (Romeo 75),Nelson (Rooney 60), Webster (Bray 60), Craig (Chesmain 60), Worrall (Twardek 55), Thompson (Farrell 60), Williams (Donovan 60), Wylde (White 60), Onyedinma (Pavey 60), O'Brien (Philpot 60)

_____

23/7/16, The 3rd friendly and back to a Saturday game and Millwall beat Crawley Town 3-2 at their place, att:1,278 (we took 489)
We played a stronger team and we needed to as Crawley gave us a tougher game and we had to come from being 2-1 down to win the game. With just less that five minutes to go Steve Morison headed in from a Shane Ferguson superb ball into the box. Amazing away crowd for a friendly.
The Lions: Archer (Forde 46), Romeo, Craig, Webster, Hutchinson, Abdou, Williams (Thompson 71m), Wylde (Ferguson 60m), Gregory (Onyedinma 71m), Morison, O'Brien (Worrall 71m),
subs not used, Nelson, Twardek
__________

26/7/16 Dover 2 Millwall 0, our last pre-season game and we send our B-side

Millwall: King, Brown, Nelson (Bray 82m, Rooney, Ferguson (Chesmain 65m), Twardek, Donovan, Farrell, Wylde (McNamara 76m) Philpot (Smith 62m), Onyedinma (Pavey 62m),
sub not used, Sandford

att: 866

***

THE SEASON STARTS PROPER

6/8/16, Millwall 3 Oldham 0, League One, Game 1, att: 9, 787 (312)

That's a great start to the season as Lee Gregory, Aiden O'Brien and Byron Webster score a goal each as the Lions pose a threat throughout the game. I am hoping we can keep this going and quickly add more points to our tally as due to a bad first part of the season last year we had to play catch up and we didn't quiet make the automatic promotion spots and that cost us. Our new signings Gregg Wylde and David Worrell both played in this match with Worrell starting and Wylde coming on as a 2nd half sub. Both players done ok against a Oldham side who had ten players making their debuts so not surprising that a comfortable win gave us the first points of the season.

Millwall: Jordan Archer, Mahlon Romeo, Tony Craig, Byron Webster, Shane Ferguson, David Worrell, Ben Thompson, Shaun Williams, Aiden O'Brien, Steve Morison, Lee Gregory, (J.Martin 46m) (Onyedinma 71m), (Wylde 82m)
Subs not used, Nelson, Abdou, Phipot, King

Goals: Gregory, 13m pen,  O'Brien 45+2.09m, Webster 46m

___

Oldham: Ripley, Wilson, Clarke, Burges, Reckford, Green, Banks, Flynn, Fane, Erwin, McKay
(Law 11m), (Klok 68m), (Osei 60m)
subs not used, Kettings, Croft, Cassidy, Edmundson

__________

Harry Smith 9/8/16
We have had a look at the Folkstone Invicta striker Harry Smith who has spent some time with us and we have signed him on a two year deal. Neil Harris likes what he saw and reckons he has the whereabouts to become a decent footballer but is rough around the edges.
__________

9/8/16, EFL Cup 2nd Round, Barnet 0 Millwall 4, att:1,410

Our first visit to Barnet's new ground and a comprehensive win to take us into the next round.
A own goal started the demise of Barnet and Aiden O'Brien and Steve Morrison took the game beyond their reach. According to the Barnet manager Martin Allen the score wasn't a true reflection on the game, "what's he saying? they should have won it"
Anyway a Fred Onyedinma penalty near the end of the game topped the win off and I wonder who we will get in the next round.

Millwall:Archer, Martin (Ferguson 82m), Craig, Thompson, Onyedinma, Wylde, Nelson, Webster, Morison, O'Brien (Worrall 67m), Morison (Philpot 79m), Abdou
Subs not used, Williams, Gregory, Romeo, King

Goals: Akinde og 23m, O'Brien 34m, Morison 74m, Onyedinma penalty 81 m

Barnet: Vickers, Johnson, Dembele, N'Gala, Nelson, Watson, Weston, Akinde (Gash 54m), Togwell, Akpa Akpro (Gambin 58m), Nicholls (Amaluzor 71m)
subs not used, McKenzie-Lyle, Taylor, Muggleton, Champion

__________

13/8/16 MK Dons 2 Millwall 2, League One, Game 2, att:10,232 (2,065)

Over 2000 make the trip

We could have won this game but late on we could have lost it. We blew a two goal lead as it only took MK 6 minutes to score a couple of goals to equalise. With the two goal lead I was buzzing but following the Wall it didn't last long but in the end with more chances from both sides it was a decent game and the point is welcome but it should have been three. Conceded twice quickly after we achieved two goals is a worry and and to give up a decent lead cheaply shouldn't be Millwall. Peterborough Tuesday should be interesting as they put five past us the last time we played them at their place.

Millwall: Archer, Craig, , Williams(Abdou 28m), Worrall(Onyedinma 82m), Thompson, Gregory, Romeo, Webster, Ferguson(Martin 81m), Morison, O'Brien
subs not used King, Wylde, Nelson, Philpot

Goals: Upson og 24m  Worrell 27m
___

MK Dons: Martin, Baldock, Lewington, Walsh, Upson, Potter, Williams,(Bowditch 61m), Agard (Thompson-Asante 87m), Powell, Downing, Maynard
subs not used, Nicolls, Wootton, Williams, Jackson, Tshimanga

_________

16/8/16 Tuesday Night, Peterborough United 5 Millwall 1, League One, Game 3, att: 5,007 (648)

I MISSED THIS ONE-WHICH WAS LUCKY

That confirms it "our defence and midfield is not at where it needs to be. I have no idea where that result came from and was not expecting it even though they scored five last time. The travelling 648 must have suffered watching that and I was struggling to pick up the result on a old radio while on holiday where the chance of getting a signal on the phone was non existent. I couldn't be bothered after we went 4-0 down and  and found out the final score next day. We were 2-0 down after 7 minutes when Jordan Archer was caught wrong footed and for their second they scored again when we defended square and was caught. Peterborough's 3rd came on 20 minutes when they scored when a unmarked player netted with his end. The obligatory consolation goal was scored by Steve Morrison with about 10 minutes to go and that was that.

Neil Harris in his interview after the game said a few choice words about the team and he did not blame some of the travelling Wall from leaving the game early, he reckons he would have left early if he could.
Me' I will quickly forget this one and a win against Sheffield United Saturday will bring us back on track. I'm not panicking' yet

Millwall: Archer, Martin(Wylde 46m), Craig, Thompson, Gegory, Romeo, Webster, Ferguson (Hutchinson 77m), Morison, O'Brien(Onyedinma 65m), Abdou,
subs not used, Worrall, Nelson,  Philpot, King

Goal: Morison 79m)
___

Peterborough: Alnwick, Smith, Hughes, Bostwick, Baldwin, Edwards(Nabi 75m), Forrester, Taylor(Coulthirst 74m), Maddison, Anderson, Nichols(Gormley 86m),
subs not used, White, Chettle, Tyler, Santos

Goals: Maddison 6m, Taylor 7m, Edwards 20, 52m., Nichols 67m
__________

20/8/16 Millwall 2 Sheffield United 1, League One, Game 4, att: 9.058 (785)

Back to winning ways after the shame at Peterborough

This game finished 1-1 at half time and like many a game at the Den and at our old ground we were better the 2nd half. A good many made it known at the half time whistle that even though the half finished equal and Shaun Williams scored one of his quality strikes, improvement was needed, also it was a chance to sound off about the Peterborough game. 

As per normal once we have had our moan we welcome the Lions back onto the pitch with the normal welcome and they got stuck in from the off with Lee Gregory having chances but his shooting boots was not on target and also the their keeper pulling off a good stop when Gregory was one on one with him. With Shane Ferguson who had replaced Aiden O'Brien slinging in crosses and the midfield winning balls we were more like we should be, but we had to wait to the 89th minute when for some reason the Sheffield defender O'Connell stretched his arm up high and handled the ball. My player of the season so far Steve Morison can sink a penalty and he sunk this one after sending the keeper the wrong way. Another three points and no boo's at full time. 'Come on you Lions

Millwall: Archer, Martin, Craig, Williams, Worrell, Thompson, Gregory (Onyedinma 82m), Romeo, Webster, Morison, O'Brien (Ferguson 70m), 

subs not used, King, Philpot, Wylde, Abdou, Nelson

Goals: Williams 14m,   Morison 89m pen

___

Sheffield United: Moore, Hussey, O'Connell, Basham, Scougall (Chapman 82m), Sharp (Done 65m), Coutts, Freeman (McNulty 90m), Wilson, Duffy, Clarke

subs not used, Ramsdale, Wright, Wallace, Whiteman

Goal: Scougall 21m

Millwall 1 Barnsley 3, League One Play-Off Final, 29th May 2016, Wembley Stadium, att: 51,277

OUR BIG DAY WAS A BIT OF A DAMP SQUID--BUT YOUNG HARVEY BROWN HAD AN AMAZING DAY

Back at the Arch

The lot I was with got there 3 hours early but it didn't matter as there is always lots to see and do before a Wembley game. Plenty of pre-match buzz around the place and even at the early hour many Millwall were streaming out of Wembley Park Tube Station ready for the game that would top the season off. I wanted us to stuff this lot from Barnsley who have spent the last two weeks slagging us off and they really are utter pillock's who hide behind keyboards and insult from afar. We took 30,000 to this game and although the total did not match the numbers we have took before to Wembley we were everywhere before the game and made up the bulk of the crowd and most of the noise once inside the stadium.

Having a beer

I had been confident all week that we would beat Barnsley but now the doubts were setting in, I tried to shrug them off but...........

Ben Thompson:   I did wonder what was going through his mind as it wasn't too long ago he was following the Wall like us and would more or less be doing the same thing and without much doubt as a supporter of the Lions thinking " this is Millwall we are talking about and disappointment could be just around the next corner:  A incredible journey for him and just a few years later wearing the shirt and coming out the tunnel to the thunderous roar of the Millwall crowd. If it was me they would probably have to call a ambulance as my heart would be coming out my shirt and my knees would be knocking. How would he play?

The Lions press but wide it goes

About the same as the rest of the team would be the answer to that question and after a long hard season it seemed to be a game too far.  We didn't play to any expectations and performed well below par. They made the game easy for Barnsley and they won it with some good finishing after moments of play where we didn't compete or win the second ball. We had bad luck when Bryon Webster had to drop out shortly before the start due to the injury he picked up in the 2nd leg of the Bradford City game. Was it bad luck or bad judgement that he declared that he was fit to start? Tony Craig come on in his place and took the Captains arm band from Steve Morison, I presume from the nod of Neil Harris. Steve Morison worked hard throughout the game trying to create but it wasn't to be his day or anybody else's. Due to injury we lost Joe Martin near the end of the first half which depleted our normal back four even more and not forgetting that Mahlon Romeo was also missing from the back line as he was suspended.  Shane Ferguson dropped into the left back position and Aiden O'Brien came on and played down the left but no super sub status as he produced very little.

Shed loads of Wall

The start of the game could have resulted in us taking the lead just after kick off but Barnsley went down the other end and went 1-0 up when Carlos Edwards was beaten to the challenge and Barnsley fired the ball home. The 30,000 went quiet for a second but then quickly got back into song to roar the Lions on. It did not work as Barnsley scored their second with nearly 20 minutes on the clock when a shot from outside the box curled into the top corner with Jordan Archer well beaten.
Mark Beevers was putting in a shift without Bryon Webster and scored ten minutes before half-time when he picked the ball up after a sort of miss-hit from Tony Craig and near the six yard line he spun and buried the ball home. Game on.

Game on

The second half and we had a few chances to equalise and Aiden O'Brien come close when Steve Morison crossed and O'Brien picked up the ball and shot but the keeper was in position to save without moving. The third Barnsley goal we conceded from a corner when Jordan Archer and others failed to clear or collect the ball and Barnsley's pint sized winger Lloyd Isgrove managed to out jump our back line and and his glancing header ended up in the back of the net. Chris Taylor had a effort late on but it wasn't to be and League One again next year. The away support rubbed it in which is to be expected and there was a small scuffle up on the upper tier which didn't result in much and was missed by many but managed to make head-line status. It is Millwall so to be expected.

I am having a couple of weeks off with this blog and unless the mood takes me to post something 'see you next season COYL

Millwall: Archer, Edwards (Williams 82), Craig, Beevers, J Martin (O'Brien 43), Taylor, Abdou, Thompson (Onyedinma 76), Ferguson, Gregory, Morison
subs not used, Forde, Philpot, Upson, Nelson,

Goal: Beevers 34m

Barnsley: Davies, Williams, Roberts, Mawson, Scowen, Isgrove ( Watkins 84m), Hammill, Hourihane, Fletcher (Toney 80m), Brownhill, Winnall
subs not used, Townsend, Chapham, Nyatanga, McCourt, White

Goals: Fletcher 2m,   Hammill 19m,  Isgrove 74m

Millwall 1 Bradford City 1, League One Play-Off 2nd leg, 20/5/16 we win overall 4-2 and we are off to Wembley, att; 16,301 ( 1,718)

Nights like this is moments I treasure, there's no ground like the Den, my ears are still ringing

The special times continue

Amazing scenes of celebration as the Lions take us to Wembley and it's Barnsley next

That put a few noses out of joint especially around the Bradford and Barnsley area. The amount of abuse of us and the team on social media was intense.They wanted a Yorkshire derby at Wembley and they certainty did not want us. They accused the team of cheating when it was plain to see to all that we were the better team and worked hard over the two legs to earn our trip to Wembley. Our celebration on the pitch was something sinister and we were scum for doing it but it's ok for every other clubs supporters to do it and in fact Bradford fans done it themselves a few years back after  they were playing Northampton.

WE ARE LOUD WE ARE PROUD AND WE ARE IN YOUR FACE 

BUT WE AIN'T NO BABY EATERS

Neil Harris has done something amazing

Wembley here we come and we go again

Millwall; Archer, Edwards, Beevers, Martin, Webster (Craig 90+3), Abdou, Thompson, Ferguson, Gregory (Williams 88), Morison, Taylor

subs not used, Forde, Upson, Onyedinma, Nelson, O'Brien

Goal: Gregory 33m

Bradford: Williams, Darby, Meredith, Evans, N.Clarke (Davies 74m), B.Clarke, Cullen (Thorpe 46m), Reid, Proctor, McArdle, McHahon (Anderson 88m)

subs not used, Cracknell, Marshall, Morris, Burke

Goal: Proctor 43m

Bradford City 1 Millwall 3, League One Play-Off Semi Final, 1st leg, Sunday 15/5/16, att:19,241 ( 1,828)

ONE STEP NEARER BACK TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

I had a bounce in my step today as I headed for work and I couldn't wait to talk about football when I got there. Roll on Friday

This is what supporting Millwall is all about, every now and then we are blessed with special times

LET THEM ALL COME DOWN TO THE DEN

With a two goal lead to take back to the Den this Friday night things are looking good. I know it's still only half-time and there is still a lot to do but we are now back at our place and I have just heard that all the home tickets are gone and its sold out.  Bring on the roar and bring on the Lions.


When we went 1-0 down Saturday because Joe Martin felt the need to handle the ball in the box and concede a penalty I am sure a few of us said, "oh shit" when they scored from the spot and were expecting the worse to follow but then to watch shortly after Lee Gregory collect a ball from Steve Morison, spin and the fire the ball passed the Bradford keeper was a joy and a goal of great craft. With the score back to 1-1 and Millwall pushing for more Steve Morison with great presence run into space from a Shane Ferguson corner and with a powerful header beat the keeper just under the bar. The keeper was clutching thin air for that and he was again just before half-time when a superb Joe Martin free kick curled just inside the right-hand post and we had the game in the bag.. Bradford went for it second half but apart from a Bradford miss from when Carlos Edwards lost the ball on the by-line we finished the game in control and we looked solid all over the pitch. That's 45 goals between Lee Gregory and Steve Morison this season and a chance to add some more.

From the Yorkshire Post--A big ask for Bradford, going to Bloomfield Road or the Perelli Stadium and overcoming a first leg deficit is one thing. Doing it at Millwall in front of arguably the most hostile crowd in English football is quite another.

As I said earlier roll on Friday night

Millwall: Archer, Ewards, Martin (Craig 71m), Beevers, Webster, Abdou, Thompson, Ferguson (Williams 88m), Gregory (O'Brien 64m), Morison, Taylor
subs not used, Forde, Nelson, Upson, Onyedinma

Goals: Gregory 14m,  Morison 34,  Martin 44m

-----
Bradford: Williams, Darby, Meredith, Evans, Clarke, Cullen, Reid, Proctor, Morais (Davies 69m), McArdle, McMahon (Anderson 82m),
subs not used, Cracknell, Morris, Leigh, Routis, Thorpe

Goal: McMahon 13m pen

I didn't want it to end, did you? and it is still not finished....Bradford V Millwall, play-off semi-final 1st leg, Sunday 15th May, 12.15pm kick-off

What a season that was. It started with a win and it finished with four of them on the bounce.

Neil Harris: Not bad for a first full season in management.

WLLDLWWLWDLWDWWDWLWLLLWL >>WWWDWWLWDDWDWLWDWLWWWW
                                                                 
You can see at a glance that although we had some good wins we also had a few losses in the first half of the season. The second half is something else and if you look at it it's a title winning performance. If not the Championship next season it must be the one after.

Ben Tompson gets an award for the top young player in the football League for April. Not bad for a lad in his first full senior season in League One. As we say down at Millwall " he's one of our own.

Ben still finds time to stop, chat and sign a shirt

12:15pm tomorrow (stupid time, it doesn't suit the supporter but that don't matter

*LIONS OF THE SOUTH* 

We play tomorrow once again up north but not phased about that because it has been a whole season more or less of playing up there and we have done alright, we ain't no southern softies.COYL

Bring it on......

Gillingham 1 Millwall 2, League One, Final Game 46, 8/5/16, att: 9,375 (1213)

We finish the regular season in the way that we have been doing more often or not for the most of the last half and that is with a win.

PLAYED 46--WON 24--DRAWN 9--LOST 13 =81 POINTS

THE PRIZE

This was a game that Gillingham must win if they wanted a chance of making the play-off's but we wasn't keen to let them and with the help of the travelling Wall we were more than up for it and got the winner in the 98th minute when Lee Gregory was felled in the box, he took the penalty and scored his 25th goal of the season.. 

Last ten.....WDWDWLWWWW *that's impressive*

We took the lead in the 55th minute when Aiden O'Brien pounced on a loose ball that come off the keeper after a Steve Morison shot and cue the knees up in the packed away section and other bits of the ground were the travelling Wall support had managed to bag some tickets. We now continued to play some decent football and with the Gillingham supporters and the home side management receiving reports that Barnsley, Bradford and Scunthorpe were all winning the writing was on the wall for them and it was just pride to play for. They were giving a helping hand when in the 86th minute Mahlon Romeo was sent off for steaming into a challenge with intent but did not make contact with the player. We are appealing against this red and if we are not successful Romeo will miss all the play-off games including Wembley if we get there.

This sending off gave Gillingham a burst of energy and two minutes into extra time they scored form close range and levelled the score. We didn't settle for a draw and deep into extra time Lee Gregory who after his stomach operation game on as a sub earlier in the game replacing Aide O'Brien was clobbered while bearing down on the Gillingham goal and he buried the resulting penalty kick.We finish with four wins on the trot and we have momentum.

We have been banging in the goals and we are the 3rd highest scorers in the league with 73 goals.We also have the 2nd best goal difference in the league with a +24. We have won the same amount of games as Wigan who finished the season as champions and only second place Burton has won more games than us winning 25. Neil Harris has done well in his first full season in charge and with the help of his right hand man David Livermore.we finish comfortably in a play off spot.

Bring on the Play-off's

TOP  Wigan 87 pts

2nd   Burton 85 pts

3rd   Walsall 84 pts

4th   Millwall 81 pts

5th   Bradford 80 pts

6th   Barnsley  74 pts

-----------------------

7th Scunthorpe 74 pts

Play off 1st leg 15/5/16

The play-off's start soon and our first game in this knock-out competition is the first leg away to Bradford City  next Sunday the 15th of May. A bit of a journey for this one and it's a 12:45 kick off which takes no consideration for the travelling support
.

Play off 2nd leg 20/5/16

Friday night at the Den 7:45 and hopefully on to Wembley


Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin, Beevers, Webster, Thompson, Abdou, Ferguson (Upson 71m), O'Brien (Gregory 74m), Morison (Craig 86m), Taylor
subs not used, Forde, Edwards, Williams, Onyedinma

Goals: O'Brien 55m   Gregory 90+8 penalty

Gillingham: Nelson, Egan, Ehmer, Loft(Williams 58m), Hesssenthaler (Jackson 58m), McDonald, Samuel (Norris 59m), Dack, Dickensen, Wright, Oshilaja
subs not used, Morris, El-Abd, Osadebe, Donnelly

Goal: Egan 90+2

Red card appeal was never going to be anything but.....

We appealed against Mahlon Romeo's red card but that was a waste of time, it still stands so he missing the play-off games. Neil Harris is charged by the FA for being sent to the stand in the same game when he complained about the Romeo sending off. I wonder what delight they have in mind for him.

Millwall 3 Oldham 0, League One, Game 45, att: 12,419 (584)

That keeps us in 3rd spot but Walsall still have a game in hand

That old lion is once again showing it's teeth

78 POINTS

I can say for certain now that the Lions are in the play-off's but Burton's win over Gillingham makes sure that a Millwall chance for the automatic 2nd spot is not possible. Oldham had only lost one game in the last eight but a visit to the Den spoilt that decent run and it only took four minutes for them to go behind. Bryon Webster got his head on the ball after some good play from Steve Morison and Chris Taylor and sent the Den into orbit as his header hit the back of the net. Oldham were pushing for the equaliser and had chances but supporters player of the year Jordan Archer was on his usual form as he kept them at bay. Steve Morison come close with a lob and Lee Martin hit the crossbar and six minutes before half time the Wall went 2-0 up when a "cheeky" back heal from Aiden O'Brien went to Shane Ferguson and he tucked it away at the back post.

We add another goal to our tally and that is six home wins on the bounce

Jordan Archer was called upon yet again when Oldham had a busy spell at the start of the second half and a combination of Archer's saves and Oldham's woeful finishing meant that it stayed 2-0 and it was the Lions that scored again when Webster scored his second when he got on the end of a Steve Morison headed ball. The Den was rocking and we raised the level further with a ear splitting roar and a ear splitting praise of Neil Harris.

It's Gillingham away for the final game

We finished strong and it's Gillingham away for the final game. Gillingham have dropped out of the Play-off's and are now in eighth spot and they must beat us and hope that other scores go their way. It would be the dogs if we could beat them and go into the play-off with an unbeaten momentum.

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin, Beevers, Webster, Abdou, Thompson, Ferguson (0nyedinma 68m), Morison, O'Brien, Taylor (Philpot 86),
subs not used, Forde, Edwards, Craig, Upson, Twardek

 Goals: Webster 4 and 54m,   Ferguson 39m

Oldham: Coleman, Dieng (Winchester 55m), Wilson, Kelly, Croft (Jones 68m), Forte, Gerrard, Holmes-Dennis, Wilson, Main (Poleon 68m), Dummigan
subs not ued, Brown, Cornell, Cassidy, Mils
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MSC player of the year took place a few days back and Jordan Archer took the trophy. He has had a blinding season and for a young bloke setting out on his football career he seems to have maturity above his age and deserves the award. Lee Gregory was runner up who I must admit I thought would win it and Ben Thompson got third. There was no place for Steve Morison who has finished the season strong and has lead by example with his intelligence and his skill with the ball, perhaps next year for him.
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2/5/16 Walsall won their game in hand today so we get knocked back down to fourth spot

Bury 1 Millwall 3, League One, Game 44, 23/4/16, att: 3,669 ( we take 914)

Gigg Lane

Endeavour we did

Chris Taylor steps up and cometh the man and cometh the goals and a cheeky back heel assist that set up Steve Morison who buries again.

We are one point away of making it certain that we secure a play-off spot and we still have a slim chance of securing a automatic promotion spot. We have been in a play-off position since we beat Chesterfield away back on the 23rd of January and with two games to go it would be a crime if we did not stay there.

The travelling 914 were probably heard all over Greater Manchester

Jordan Archer was called upon early in this game to save and early clearances from Bryon Webster and Joe Martin meant that mid table Bury was going to give us a game but it wasn't long before we got a corner up the other end and Chris Taylor scored his first of the game and his second for the Lions when his ball from the corner curled directly into the net. Taylor was having chances but it was Steve Morison who got our second when Chris Taylor inside the Bury penalty area was on the ball yet again back heeled to Steve Morison who stroked the ball home. It looked like we were going to finish the first half well on top but football being football meant that it would be Bury who finished the half with their tails up as they pulled a goal back in the 2nd minute of first half extra time.

Chris Taylor gets his 2nd

Was we going to hold on to the lead as Bury followed on from their late first half goal looking for the equaliser, or would we add to our score? Mark Beevers and Bryon Webster were handling everything that come their way and although Bury had more of the ball we were to score again when Steve Morison broke on the left and travelled into the box before sending the ball back for Taylor to slot it home and the points were ours.
Tony Craig come on for the last few minutes as he has now recovered from his long term injury and looks to be ready for action. Perhaps next season'
A good day out.

1) Wigan 84 pts,   2) Burton 81 pts,  3) Millwall 75 pts,  4) Walsall 75 pts,  5) Bradford 74 pts,  6) Barnsley 70 pts,  7) Gillingham 69 pts

Just two games to go but Walsall have three

Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin, Webster, Beevers, Thompson, Abdou, Onyedinma (Upson 59m), O'Brien (Philpot 87), Morison (Craig 90+1), Taylor
subs not used, Forde, Edwards, Twardek, Nelson

Goals: Taylor 4 and 83m     Morison 33m
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Bury: Neal, Hussey, Clarke, Mayor, Pope, Jones, Lowe (Rose 74m), O'Sullivan (Clare 67m), Soares, Pugh, Bolgar
subs not used, Sedgewick, Rose, Lawlor, Brown

Goal: Lowe 45+1

Millwall 1 Fleetwood 0, League One, Game 43, 19/4/16, att: 7, 865 (away 83)

TUESDAY NIGHT AND A BIT MORE DRAMA

Promotion chasing but less than 8000, Fleetwood's 83 is our lowest Den away gate for many a season

I was looking forward to this and more so after the defeat at Coventry. I fancied us to beat Fleetwood and I wasn't disappointed but the way the game panned out was ugly but this time in the season a win ugly will do just fine. The first half was poor and well below par on what we would expect for a Millwall side in the play-off mix. Lee Gregory started this game after being on the bench against Coventry and also Jimmy Abdou was back in his usual spot after Shaun Williams red card. Lee Gregory had a early moment but was millimetres away from getting on the end of a cross from Steve Morison and not much more happened after that. Fleetwood are a gritty side and hit the bar and a few minutes after that Mark Beever's had to defend stoutly in the box  " yes, I know it looked liked a penalty but the ref didn't give it so it's not. Fleetwood still have a real risk of being relegated and are giving it ago to stay up, this was their first defeat in six games I do believe.

Lee Gregory was subbed at half time and the injury that he has been carrying for a good few games now appears to need a bit more care and attention and with three more games to go I am wondering what sort of impact he can make to see us over the play-off line. Hopefully we have still a desire on he 2nd automatic promotion spot. Jamie Philpot come on for Gregory and it was his ball to Morison that gave us the only goal of the game.

 GOAL: Steve Morison 52 minutes

What a well crafted goal and a type of quality that can only be scored by somebody who knows what they are doing. Jamie Philpot provided the header and Steve Morison scored. They are calling Morison's goal a lob, calling it a lob downgrades the skill it took to beat the Fleetwood keeper on the angle. It was a master class in finishing and well worthy of his 17th goal of the season. Chris Taylor nearly had a goal but he went wide with a header which was set up by Morison not long after he scored. Morison was subbed on 70 minutes with a hamstring tweak and Fred Onyedinma took his place. Now it got nervous with Fleetwood pressing and making a go of it and we more or less give up on increasing our lead and we dug in and held onto the final whistle.
A big shout for Jordan Archer who was unbeatable and the quality of his double save at the end was something else and a very nervous type of a joy to watch. Other results went our way apart from Barnsley and we move back into fourth spot. It wasn't fancy football but at this stage anything will do and a ugly three points is just as good any other three points. COYL


As it stands: 1) Wigan 81pts,  2) Burton 78pts,  3) Walsall 75pts,  4) Millwall 72pts,  5) Bradford 71pts,  6) Gillingham 69pts  7) Barnsley 69pts


Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Martin, Beevers, Webster, Abdou, Thompson, O'Brien (Upson 88m), Morison (Onyedinma 70m), Gregory (Philpot 46m), Taylor
subs not used, Forde, Edwards, Craig, Twardek

Goal: Morison

Fleetwood: Maxwell, McLaughlin, Jordan, Jonsson (Hunter 80m), Pond, Bell, Ryan, Burns, Grant (Cole 72m), Sarcevic, scougall (Ball 80m),
subs not used, Gogic, Forbes, Nilssson, Grant