Shelbourne 0 - 3 Millwall
Credit:
A Josh McQuoid brace and a John Marquis goal gave Millwall and emphatic 3-0 win over Shels at Tolka Park tonight.
The visiting side, who finished ninth in the English Championship last season, completely dominated Shels in the first half. After controlling most of the early play, they opened the scoring on twelve minutes. John Marquis cut in from the left after being fed the ball from a fine passing move and placed the ball coolly under Paul Skinner.
It didn't get much better from then on for Shels- who fielded a team of players who have mostly featured at least as rotation players this season. Lawrence Gaughan made his first appearance at centre-back and regular starters David Cassidy and Ian Ryan also started.
Millwall were constantly threatening Shels on the attack, with James Henry and Hameur Bouazza looking especially dangerous down the wings. Shels didn't have too many chances- with Lawrence Gaughan's rasping shot from 30 yards after 25 minutes probably the best of them.
The Lions doubled their lead on the half hour mark, with Josh McQuoid's deflected shot going past Skinner after the second of two successive Millwall corners was taken short and passed in to the box. McQuoid doubled his own tally five minutes before the interval. Some slack Shels defending from Gaughan and Ryan left a huge gap in the Shels box and McQuoid had plenty of time to pick his spot and finish well.
After the break the pace of the match died down- with both sides opting to make several changes. Millwall sat back a bit more- allowing Shels a bit more space. Alan Mathews opted to push his defensive line up a bit more, but the Reds still looked off the pace. Sean Byrne and Gareth Matthews both looked threatening at times on the attack, but Millwall always looked comfortable.
Despite Shels having most of the ball and looking the fitter side, particularly in the later stages, they didn't have too many chances. Late in the match Chris Mulhall was denied by Milwall 'keeper Steve Mildenhall's outstretched foot, but the visitors were comfortable winners and can be happy with a solid pre-season run-out.
Shelbourne: Paul Skinner; Gareth Matthews, Sean Byrne, Ian Ryan [Andy Boyle HT], Lawrence Gaughan [Brendan McGill 55]; Colm James [Conan Byrne HT], Chris Mulhall, David Cassidy [David McGill HT], Barry Clancy [Lorcan Fitzgerald HT], John Sullivan; Karl Bermingham [Philly Hughes '69] SUBS NOT USED: Dean Delany.
Millwall: Steve Mildenhall; Alan Dunne [Jordan Stewart HT], Jack Smith [Tony Craig HT], Darren Purse [Jake Gallagher HT], Darren Ward [ Jimmy Abdou HT]; Liam Trotter [Aiden O'Brien HT], James Henry [Thierry Racon HT], Tamika Mkandawire, John Marquis [Tobi Alabi HT]; Josh McQuaid [Scott Barron HT], Hameur Bouazza [Chris Hackett HT]. Subs: Ryan Alsop.
Referee: Tomas Connolly
Attendance: 370
The visiting side, who finished ninth in the English Championship last season, completely dominated Shels in the first half. After controlling most of the early play, they opened the scoring on twelve minutes. John Marquis cut in from the left after being fed the ball from a fine passing move and placed the ball coolly under Paul Skinner.
It didn't get much better from then on for Shels- who fielded a team of players who have mostly featured at least as rotation players this season. Lawrence Gaughan made his first appearance at centre-back and regular starters David Cassidy and Ian Ryan also started.
Millwall were constantly threatening Shels on the attack, with James Henry and Hameur Bouazza looking especially dangerous down the wings. Shels didn't have too many chances- with Lawrence Gaughan's rasping shot from 30 yards after 25 minutes probably the best of them.
The Lions doubled their lead on the half hour mark, with Josh McQuoid's deflected shot going past Skinner after the second of two successive Millwall corners was taken short and passed in to the box. McQuoid doubled his own tally five minutes before the interval. Some slack Shels defending from Gaughan and Ryan left a huge gap in the Shels box and McQuoid had plenty of time to pick his spot and finish well.
After the break the pace of the match died down- with both sides opting to make several changes. Millwall sat back a bit more- allowing Shels a bit more space. Alan Mathews opted to push his defensive line up a bit more, but the Reds still looked off the pace. Sean Byrne and Gareth Matthews both looked threatening at times on the attack, but Millwall always looked comfortable.
Despite Shels having most of the ball and looking the fitter side, particularly in the later stages, they didn't have too many chances. Late in the match Chris Mulhall was denied by Milwall 'keeper Steve Mildenhall's outstretched foot, but the visitors were comfortable winners and can be happy with a solid pre-season run-out.
Shelbourne: Paul Skinner; Gareth Matthews, Sean Byrne, Ian Ryan [Andy Boyle HT], Lawrence Gaughan [Brendan McGill 55]; Colm James [Conan Byrne HT], Chris Mulhall, David Cassidy [David McGill HT], Barry Clancy [Lorcan Fitzgerald HT], John Sullivan; Karl Bermingham [Philly Hughes '69] SUBS NOT USED: Dean Delany.
Millwall: Steve Mildenhall; Alan Dunne [Jordan Stewart HT], Jack Smith [Tony Craig HT], Darren Purse [Jake Gallagher HT], Darren Ward [ Jimmy Abdou HT]; Liam Trotter [Aiden O'Brien HT], James Henry [Thierry Racon HT], Tamika Mkandawire, John Marquis [Tobi Alabi HT]; Josh McQuaid [Scott Barron HT], Hameur Bouazza [Chris Hackett HT]. Subs: Ryan Alsop.
Referee: Tomas Connolly
Attendance: 370
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net. View Full Profile