MILLWALL 3-1 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
Date 28/08/10 At The New Den
Team
Turner, Keogh, Cranie, Wood (McPake 74), Cameron, Bell ( Baker 57, sent off 71), Clingan, Carsley, Gunnarsson (Eastwood 62), McSheffrey, Platt SNU Westwood, Clarke, O'Donovan.
Millwall
Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Trotter, Schofield (Carter 81), Henry (Hackett 38), Barron, Ward, Harris (Lisbie 86), Morison, Abdou SNU Mildenhall, Smith, McKandawrie
HT MFC 1-0 CCFC FT MFC 3-1 CCFC ATT 11,688
Referee J.Moss Booked Baker x 2 Abdou
Man Of The Match Clive Platt took the votes.
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Coventry City have not won at Millwall since 1955 and when Carl Baker was sent off for a second bookable offence, any faint hope of a shock victory was very firmly stamped out by some woeful defending.
In a week, where the Coventry public raged or otherwise over a cat in a bin plus Marlon King's arrival at Ryton and his countless rumour sparking proposed wages, a trip to a ground where City had never won came as something as a welcome relief.
However, with news, that Keiren Westwood had been dropped purely for stalling about his contract, filtering amongst the support and the Sky Blues facing Steve Morison, in my opinion, a player Marlon King and Aidy Boothroyd could only dream of being and Wall legend Neil Harris, many of the City support which looked to be around the 900 mark were considering whether their journies to South London, which had been extended by traffic delays were actually worth it.
Millwall snuffed out the threat of Clive Platt within seconds, ensuring at least two defenders were on him at all times and with Lee Carsley ineffective, due to Michael Doyle, who is rumoured to be leaving on Monday, not doing his running, and Sammy Clingan over-run, City were always on the back foot.
Boothroyd, in his wisdom had changed the defence but today looked a step too far for Nathan Cameron. In the 16th minute, Cameron stood off as Morison attacked down his left. The Welsh international got in a shot which went right into the mixer and as Iain Turner dithered, Martin Cranie tried to clear but could not stop the ball going into his own net.
There were plenty of tough tackles flying as Lee Carsley fired wide, Richard Wood won a corner and a Schofield cross at the other end causes no end of problems for the nervous City defence.
In the 29th minute, Millwall should have increased their lead when Neil Harris was left completely unmarked to head over a free kick, Six minutes later, Harris missed another sitter after a flap by Turner.
Millwall lost Joe Henry who had been given the freedom of the midfield but with Gary Hackett on, they attacked again and Harris hit the bar from six yards.
In stoppage time, City nearly drew level when a lovely lay off from Platt. He found McSheffrey who sent a ball over to the unmarked Gunnarsson but the Iceland sent the ball past the Cold Blow Lane end goal, causing Boothroyd to kick a water bottle.
The second half started with Harris firing at Turner and Sammy Clingan hitting the wall with a free kick which fell for Keogh who blasted well wide much to the annoyance of the City support that contained a good number of supporters from Brighton, London and the Home Counties.
David Bell, a man who had lost much of the possession, paid for it when he was replaced with Carl Baker, who had scored for City Reserves on Tuesday against Hereford.
Millwall attacked, Dunne fired over and then Morison's sent a right-footed volley from 25 yards not far wide.
The Millwall fans were expecting a second goal but it was the City support who were going mental in the 59th minute when Aron Gunnarsson shrugged past his marker and got inside the area and stroked the ball past the right hand of David Forde into the net.
The Icelander was replaced by Eastwood who had only been on the pitch for two minutes when Carl Baker was involved in a bit of handbags with Abdou. As the Millwall support in the East Stand to our left bayed for blood, both players were cautioned.
Then in the 71st minute, Baker stuck his leg out as a Millwall player tried to go past him and he was sent off by the referee who was now starting to be intimidated by the home fans.
Now you could argue that this was the turning point of the game but that only masked some horrific defending from the Sky Blues. In the 74th minute, Millwall went back in front when Liam Trotter got through and lobbed the hapless Turner.
James McPake was sent on for Richard Wood but one of the Scot's first touches saw him concede a 78th minute penalty. the excellent Steve Morison sent Turner the wrong way and prompted a walk out of City fans.
All they missed was Millwall crossing for fun and a good save by Turner as City left The New Den lucky to have only lost 3-1.