Longford Town 1 - 4 Millwall
Credit:
A first-half brace from Shaun Batt set Millwall on their way to victory over First Division side Longford Town in Flancare Park on Wednesday night.
It was typical friendly fare and nothing really to get supporters too excited about. The game was a bit like the weather; miserable. Town manager Tony Cousins used it as a chance to give players game time and keep an eye over a few trialists. He confirmed after to ExtraTime.ie after the game that none of those had signed for the club.
Millwall started the game the better but didn’t create too many clear-cut chances inside the opening quarter. They passed the ball around well but rarely threatened the Town rearguard. Batt had a chance in the 13th minute but his shot was deflected out for a corner.
On 23 minutes they broke the deadlock and it was a poor goal to give away on the Town’s behalf; goalkeeper Paul Hunt came out of the goals and completely fluffed his clearance, Batt picked up the ball to score into an empty net.
12 minutes later and the visitors doubled their advantage with Batt grabbing his second; Andy Keogh played the ball across goal, Chris Taylor got a slight touch and it fell to Batt to fire home from close range.
Willo McDonagh had to be alert in the 39th minute to cut out Scott Malone’s through ball as Millwall went in search of another goal. After being totally outplayed for the first half the Town had their first effort two minutes from the break but Tony Griffiths shot from about 25 yards out didn’t trouble Maik Taylor.
One minute later and Gary Shaw should’ve done better; Thomas Crawley’s ball met the head of Shaw but he directed his effort wide of the post.
Town made 10 changes at half-time as many new players came on to try and impress Cousins. They played a lot better in the second half but chances were at a premium for the home side after the break.
Five minutes in and Keogh forced a save out of Hunt. The Town keeper was called into action ten minutes later saving from Therry Racon. Against the run of play Town pulled a goal back in the 68th minute through Daragh Reynor. But they were unable to add to that.
Millwall got their third goal 10 minutes from time; Hunt saved from Jake Goodman but the loose ball was finished to the net by Aiden O’Brien. Three minutes later it was 4-1; Town players thought the flag would go up for offside but John Marquis’ effort was given. A comfortable win for the Londoners on their second visit to Longford.
Longford Town: Paul Hunt; Noel Haverty (Niall O’Reilly ht), Willo McDonagh (Chris Deans ht), Des Hope (Yanis Vaitkus ht), Thomas Crawley (Gary Cronin ht); Jamie Duffy (Craig Walsh ht), Colly James (James O’Brien ht), Mark Salmon (Alan Kirby ht), Daniel Purdy (Daragh Reynor ht); Tony Griffiths (Karl Bermingham ht), Gary Shaw (Shane Dolan ht (Dean Cosgrave 87)
Subs not used: Craig Hyland
Bookings: None
Sendings Off: None
Millwall: Maik Taylor (David Forde ht); Alan Dunne (Conor Wilkinson 71), Jack Smith (Aiden O’Brien 63), Shane Lowry (Karleigh Osbourne 63), Scott Malone; Liam Feeney (Jack Sammuts 87), Chris Taylor, Josh Wright, Therry Racon (Jake Goodman); Andy Keogh (Darren Ward 63), Shaun Batt (John Marquis ht)
Subs not used: Scott Barron
Bookings: None
Sendings Off: None
Referee: Alan Mullally
Attendance: 300 est
