Steve Morison lead the charge as Millwall comfortably dispatched a lacklustre Doncaster Rovers side 2-0. Robson Friend reports.
The game could have been over after 30 minutes as Morison fired twice within just 8 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.