Doncaster Downed At A Vibrant Den

 

It was one of those special floodlit nights in south-east London when the home crowd played their full part in a Millwall victory. Rising East’s team of reporters tell the tale.

 

By Kwame Kufuour

Steve Morison’s fine goal-scoring form continued as the Millwall marksman bagged a double to secure a third home win of the season, and move The Lions into sixth place in the League One table.

Morison grabbed his fifth goal of the season with the Lions opener after just five minutes of the game. The 32 year old got his second of the night with an exquisite volley to put Neil Harris’ team further ahead.

Harris had made two changes to the Millwall side that started at Sheffield United, with Carlos Edwards and Shane Ferguson both returning to the team to replace Shaun Cummings and Fred Onyedinma.

Doncaster Rovers, already facing a relegation battle, gave it a real go after going two down. They should have at least left the Den with a point after piling prodigious pressure on the Millwall defence.

Rover’s manager, Darren Ferguson, said before kick-off about the importance of his side coming out to impose themselves on the game from the start, but that advice was initially ignored.

Millwall registered their intent just four minutes into the game when confusion between Rover’s keeper, Thorsten Stuckmann, and his defence, enabled Lee Gregory to take advantage of their mistake and slip the ball through to Morison, whose effort went just over.

Morison made no mistake moments later by taking full advantage of another error, exploiting a poor back pass. The striker’s shot took a huge deflection over the keeper, giving Millwall the lead after five minutes.

Morison took only another three minutes to add more misery to Rovers’ night with an astonishing first-time volley into the net giving Stuckman absolutely no chance.

The visitors were stunned but started to put their manager’s advice into practice, responding by putting the Lions’ defence under pressure in the second half, which nearly paid off when Andy Butler wasted a clear header from eight yards from a Nathan Tyson cross. The Doncaster defence dispatched some rough tough treatment to home strike duo Morison and O’Brien, both of whom were caught off the ball.

Rovers had spells of tremendous pressure on the Millwall back four, forcing Morison to come back and defend in his own half. The Lions took their eyes off the ball, allowing the visitors several opportunities to score but the chances were wasted.

Millwall boss Neil Harris was fully aware his side had not pressed home their early advantage.”My team took their foot off the pedal after 15 minutes of the game, and it’s definitely not the Millwall way.”

Former Lions’ loanee, Nathan Tyson nearly got the visiting team back into the game twice with quick opening exchanges. He almost connected with the Aaron Taylor- Sinclair’s sweet left-foot cross but Tyson headed it wide.

At the other end, Millwall fans were left scratching their heads asking themselves how Morison didn’t get a hat-trick. He almost did when his close-range bullet header from a Carlos Edwards cross was diverted for a corner.

Late on, Doncaster were awarded a free kick just outside the Millwall 18-yard box after some careless home defending. Harry Forrester’s strike took a wicked deflection and nearly ended at the back of The Lions’ net but instead it was deflected just wide.

Harris’ men had survived again. With the introduction Fred Onyedinma, Lee Martin and Byron Webster, the home team shut the visitors out, helping to give the Lions their third successive home league win.

 

 

By Robson Friend

The game could have been over after 30 minutes as Morison fired twice within just eight minutes of football, but Millwall allowed Doncaster the opportunity to get involved in the game as Rovers made a second half attempt at a comeback that ultimately amounted into a continuation of half-hearted and idea-less attacks.

With barely five minutes of football played, Morison found himself through on goal with only the Doncaster keeper, Thorsten Stuckmann to beat, and beat him he did, as Morison’s strike deflected off Stuckmann and trickled into the net, to put Millwall one up.

A mere three minutes later andShane Ferguson, on-loan from Newcastle, found Morison with a fine cross to set up the Welshman, who, with a classy volley, directed the ball into the bottom corner. 2-0 it was and it seemed as though the floodgates had opened.

Foot off the gas

It was not the case. Doncaster hit back with a few admirable attempts that were met by the trio of Butler, Coppinger and Tyson. Chances that Darren Ferguson’s side would end up ruing by the full-time whistle.

It could have been the perfect response as Nathan Tyson whipped in a great cross for Andy Butler who somehow headed over from point-blank range. Shortly after, it was Tyson’s turn as he steered the ball wide of the target from just five yards.

When Doncaster attacked, Millwall looked to reap the benefits. As the Yorkshire side rallied forward for a way back into the game, the defence continued to be left exposed on the counter, something Morison failed to capitalise on.

He was determined to grab his hat-trick, but it did not arrive for the ex-Norwich man.

If Millwall had not taken their foot off the gas after the second goal, then they most certainly did by the second half as Doncaster challenged for a goal.

Running down the clock

Tyson came close twice: a header that flew inches wide of Archer’s post and an agonisingly close opportunity, as he failed to get on the end of an exceptional Taylor-Sinclair cross.

The 195 travelling Doncaster fans watched on as their side continued to probe for an entry back into the game, but Neil Harris’ side were more than adept at keeping them at bay.

As the game slowly whittled away from Ferguson’s side it became very simple for Millwall to run down the clock, though they still found themselves with their fair share of goal-scoring opportunities.

A cross from the returning Carlos Edwards found Morison with yet another perfect chance to sew the game up and take the match ball, but it was not to be as Stuckmann met the header to prevent the third.

Whilst Ferguson allowed ex-Millwall man, Danny N’Guessan to enter the fray, all the striker was able to accomplish in 30 minutes was to be subjected to the routine negative chanting from the Lions’ fans.

On the other side Neil Harris was able to bring on Webster, Onyedinma and former Manchester United player, Lee Martin, to enter the pitch and wrap up the tie.

The Lions left The Den ascending into sixth place, on the same points as Sheffield United. Harris however will be conscious of his side failing to score more than two goals, as his team threw away an abundance of brilliant chances to put the game far beyond Doncaster’s reach. The Rovers however, a team who stay sat nervously in the bottom four without ideas and confidence, continue to wait for their season to lift off.

 

 

By Anna Rota

Steve Morison was on target twice in the first 10 minutes of the first half to help Millwall beat Doncaster Rovers 2-0 at The Den last Tuesday night.

Morison was on hand to fire The Lions ahead after just five minutes.

The 32-year old striker reacted quickest to a poor back-pass and slipped the ball home past Doncaster goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann.

If Millwall’s opening goal had a sprinkling of luck, their second was something superb.

Morison doubled Millwall’s lead as Shane Ferguson whipped over a delightful free kick, picking out Morison who hit an inspiring volley into the bottom corner of the net.

The Lions should have gone in to the break far more comfortably ahead since Morison, Lee Gregory and O’Brien all missed good chances against Darren Ferguson’s struggling visitors.

Despite Rovers being two goals down, they had the opportunity to get back into the game, with former Lions’ Ioanee Nathan Tyson spurning an excellent chance after James Coppinger drilled a ball into the box.

Unfortunately for the Rovers their luckless night seemed never-ending and Tyson missed the target from three yards.

In the second half Millwall’s ferocious hunger for goals seemed to be gone while Doncaster Rovers tried to get back to the game with a more confident attitude.

Cedric Evina was a constant threat down the left hand side, breaking into the box before crossing to Tyson who could not hit the target.

Doncaster sought a way back into the game by introducing Harry Forrester and Dany N’Guessan but Rovers just could not find the right ball to test Archer.

Morison’s search for his first ever hat-trick in a Millwall shirt was frustrated as Stuckmann pulled off another great save, while Middleton and Forrester both went close.

The crowd responded providing a noisy atmosphere, and though they had no further goals to cheer, chances that fell to substitutes Fred Onyedinma, Lee Martin and finally Byron Webster kept the fans excited as they revelled in a third successive home League win.

Millwall moved up to sixth place in the division but manager Neil Harris will surely be aware that his team wasted a huge number of chances to seal the win by a greater margin.

Furthermore The Lions’ lead was due as much to Rovers’ lack of confidence and of an effective defence, rather than simply be due to Millwall’s own strengths..

Rovers, meanwhile, stay bottom of the table, anxiously hoping their luck will improve.

 

 

By Moses Kaddu

5 Things We Learned

 

Possession does not win games

Doncaster came into tonight’s game sitting 22nd in the table and Millwall 10th. It was therefore expected that Millwall would dominate possession while Doncaster would look to punish the home side through counter attacks and set pieces. Instead, Doncaster lined up in a 3-5-2 formation and Millwall in a 4-4-2. The Lions sat off, and while Doncaster enjoyed most of the ball throughout the whole game, Millwall were content to force the visitors into errors that enabled them to establish a 2-0 lead early on.

Doncaster might have enjoyed the bulk of possession, but it did not win them the game.

 

All-for-one atmosphere could be key to Millwall’s promotion hopes

As the Doncaster keeper got into a push-and-shove with a Millwall ball boy, the crowd in unison stood and roared their support for the local lad before referee Charles Breakspear intervened.

The incident summed up the kind of stadium The Den is; fan, ball boy, even a chef – everybody is part of the organisation. The chef told Rising East: “I have another job, but I come here because Millwall has been good to me.”

This is a well-respected club, football wise, but it also gains admiration for the passion of the fans. This should help push Millwall further than they expect, even if the players whisper or avoid direct comment that they’re aiming for promotion.

The loyal fans scream like they expect to be at Wembley come the end of the season, pushing their team on. The fans in the Cold Blow Lane Stand did not go missing during the full 90 minutes.

If Millwall can manage to keep that atmosphere from top to bottom of the club, it can only aid their promotion push.

 

Steve Morison will be vital for promotion

Tuesday’s win was hard-fought and if The Lions want to go up through straight promotion or playoffs, its inevitable there’ll be another 15 or more of these types of games in the season. When a team doesn’t necessarily play well or have possession for 90 minutes of a game, only a few chances might come your way and you’re expected to make the most out of them. Steve Morison exhibited how well he’ll need to play throughout the season. Just nine minutes into the game, and two chances in, Morison converted both and helped Millwall take all three points.

He may have only just scored three in his last 16 appearances, but performances like this could help to overcome many teams at The Den.

 

Doncaster still have hope

After dominating most of the game in possession, Doncaster didn’t look like a team ready to pack their bags and find a home in League Two. Doncaster actually kept the ball really well and managed to create a few half chances.

If they could get their strikers like Nathan Tyson scoring, they could beat the drop. I think it’s only a matter of time before they start getting wins, and manager Darren Ferguson will fancy his chances of staying up once he manages to get his strikers to start scoring, and is able to get his defence organised enough to not give the opposition cheap chances.

 

There’s nothing like being there

The cold air that carries the smell of burger, chips and pies on a Tuesday cannot be transmitted through your TV screen. Nor the passion of the fans. These are some of the many things that are a part of the experience of being at a live game.

Millwall did not disappoint as their fans vented their anger at former striker Danny N’Guessan being substituted. Hearing the roar and seeing the relief in their faces as three points were confirmed after the final whistle showed how much the supporters cared.

Football is more than just about the result or seeing a good goal, it is about meeting people who share the same interest, exchanging views on the new manager, or even just learning the chants to tease the opposition.

Live football in the Football League is well and truly alive and kicking, and at a time when top Premier League clubs are overpricing tickets, local clubs are easily accessible to give you that unrivalled experience of ‘being there’.

 

By Abu Kamara

Millwall took all three points with a 2-0 win against Doncaster Rovers, both goals coming from Steve Morison, who had only scored two goals in the league before tonight’s game. The three points put Millwall sixth and level on points with fifth-placed Wigan.

Millwall Manger Neil Harris said the victory “gives us confidence and momentum for Saturday,” adding that the game “should have been over in 15 minutes”.

The scoreline suggested Millwall controlled the game and were comfortably the better side, but that was not the case. Doncaster on the night were the better footballing side but did not take their chances , while Millwall took enough of theirs to win the game.

Harris conceded that his team did not take the game to Doncaster, saying “we were poor in the second half”.

The visitors, third from bottom of the League One table, started the game the game the brighter with neat passing, but Millwall soon took control.

In the sixth minute Morison opened the scoring when he capitalised on a mistake from the Doncaster goalkeeper, Thorsten Stuckmann. Two minutes later Morison was back on the score sheet after getting on the end of a great free kick from the edge of the box from Ferguson.

Lee Gregory nearly made it 3-0 in 30th minute, but could not convert from close range. Soon after Morison missed a great chance to make it a hat trick for himself.

Towards the end of the first half it was Doncaster who had control of the game as they started to put passes together but their strikers were not clinical enough in front of goal.

Ex-Millwall player Dany N’Guessan came off the bench to a chorus of boos from the home fans every time he touched the ball.

It left Doncaster without anything to show for their efforts.

 

 

 

 

No posts to display