Longford Town 0 - 1 Millwall
Credit:
Millwall were made to work hard for their win against First Division side Longford Town at Flancare Park in their second pre-season game in Ireland.
It was an even first half with both sides having several chances to break the deadlock. The home side were certainly not in awe of their illustrious opponents with striker Don Cowan in particular causing the Millwall defence more than a few problems.
Cowan and Gints Friemanis both had chances to open the scoring in the early stages of the game as the home side settled into the game straight from the start. Millwall’s first attempt on goal came in the 15th minute when Hamer Bouzza’s sweetly struck free-kick was superbly tipped over the bar by Town keeper Paul Hunt. James Henry very nearly gave Millwall the lead four minutes later but his shot was cleared off the line by Town defender Chris Deans.
The game was then held up for a number of minutes after a clash involving Jimmy Abdou and Austin Skelly. Both players had to go off due to their injuries and were big losses for their respective sides. Skelly had to receive six stitches to a head wound and was heavily bandaged after the game. He wouldn’t have looked out of place at a rugby match with his new headgear.
Millwall’s netminder Steve Mildenhall was called into action in the 31st minute, pulling off a fine point-blank save to deny Cowan from scoring. The Town looked good going forward and opened the English Championship side on a number of occasions.
It was a very different Town team in the second half with many new and fringe players given a chance to impress, while Millwall also made a few changes to their personnel. It took the Town’s new players a while to get into the pace of the game.
After being under the cosh for a lot of the first half and not able to have it their own way Millwall stepped up a gear after the break and were a different proposition. It didn’t take them too long to get into their groove and seven minutes after the restart they broke the deadlock when Tamika Mkandawire headed past substitute keeper Stephen Conlon.
Kenny Jackett’s side started to pile on the pressure as they went in search of more goals. The crossbar denied them twice, Town defender Paddy Collins also had to clear off the line while Conlon made a good save to deny Scott Barron.
Right at the end the Town very nearly spoiled Millwall’s trip to Flancare by grabbing a late equaliser but Mildenhall pulled off an excellent save to deny Morley from levelling up matters.
Longford Town: Paul Hunt; Graham Dowling, Chris Deans, Thomas Hyland, Gary Cronin; Keith Gillespie, Mark Salmon, Craig Walsh, Gints Friemanis; Don Cowan, Austin Skelly.
Subs used: Stephen Conlon, Michael Lee, Paddy Collins, Jeff Flood, Cathal Brady, Thomas Crawley, Sean Skelly, Lee Roche, Jack Morley, Alan McGreal, Jean Biansumba,
Millwall: Steve Mildenhall; Alan Dunne, Darren Purse (Jordan Stewart ht), Darren Ward, Tony Craig; James Henry, Jimmy Abdou, Liam Trotter, Hamer Bouzza; John Marquis, Therry Racon.
Subs used: Jordan Stewart, Scott Barron, Tamika Mkandawire, Jake Gallagher, Chris Hackett, Aiden O’Brien.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 500 (estimate).
It was an even first half with both sides having several chances to break the deadlock. The home side were certainly not in awe of their illustrious opponents with striker Don Cowan in particular causing the Millwall defence more than a few problems.
Cowan and Gints Friemanis both had chances to open the scoring in the early stages of the game as the home side settled into the game straight from the start. Millwall’s first attempt on goal came in the 15th minute when Hamer Bouzza’s sweetly struck free-kick was superbly tipped over the bar by Town keeper Paul Hunt. James Henry very nearly gave Millwall the lead four minutes later but his shot was cleared off the line by Town defender Chris Deans.
The game was then held up for a number of minutes after a clash involving Jimmy Abdou and Austin Skelly. Both players had to go off due to their injuries and were big losses for their respective sides. Skelly had to receive six stitches to a head wound and was heavily bandaged after the game. He wouldn’t have looked out of place at a rugby match with his new headgear.
Millwall’s netminder Steve Mildenhall was called into action in the 31st minute, pulling off a fine point-blank save to deny Cowan from scoring. The Town looked good going forward and opened the English Championship side on a number of occasions.
It was a very different Town team in the second half with many new and fringe players given a chance to impress, while Millwall also made a few changes to their personnel. It took the Town’s new players a while to get into the pace of the game.
After being under the cosh for a lot of the first half and not able to have it their own way Millwall stepped up a gear after the break and were a different proposition. It didn’t take them too long to get into their groove and seven minutes after the restart they broke the deadlock when Tamika Mkandawire headed past substitute keeper Stephen Conlon.
Kenny Jackett’s side started to pile on the pressure as they went in search of more goals. The crossbar denied them twice, Town defender Paddy Collins also had to clear off the line while Conlon made a good save to deny Scott Barron.
Right at the end the Town very nearly spoiled Millwall’s trip to Flancare by grabbing a late equaliser but Mildenhall pulled off an excellent save to deny Morley from levelling up matters.
Longford Town: Paul Hunt; Graham Dowling, Chris Deans, Thomas Hyland, Gary Cronin; Keith Gillespie, Mark Salmon, Craig Walsh, Gints Friemanis; Don Cowan, Austin Skelly.
Subs used: Stephen Conlon, Michael Lee, Paddy Collins, Jeff Flood, Cathal Brady, Thomas Crawley, Sean Skelly, Lee Roche, Jack Morley, Alan McGreal, Jean Biansumba,
Millwall: Steve Mildenhall; Alan Dunne, Darren Purse (Jordan Stewart ht), Darren Ward, Tony Craig; James Henry, Jimmy Abdou, Liam Trotter, Hamer Bouzza; John Marquis, Therry Racon.
Subs used: Jordan Stewart, Scott Barron, Tamika Mkandawire, Jake Gallagher, Chris Hackett, Aiden O’Brien.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 500 (estimate).
