Season 05/06 Stagsnet Match Report
|
|
|
||
|
Mansfield Town
|
|
Millwall
|
||
|
Brown 66, Barker 67
|
May 24, Robinson 60, Livermore 89
|
|||
|
Attendance: 4,133 (450 from Millwall)
|
||||
|
Date: 25 Oct 05
|
||||
|
The Stags started this Carling Cup 3rd round tie with the same side that beat Barnet 4-0 on Saturday. Simon Brown and Richie Barker, 12 goals between them this season, began in attack whilst international Under 21 internationals Adam Birchall and Stephen Dawson had to be content once again with a place on the bench. Millwall had former Fulham striker Barry Hayles and former Blade Karl Asaba in attack.
The Stags began brightly without creating too many clear cut chances. Most of the good work was being done down the flanks with wide men Uhlenbeek and Rundle well supported by their full backs. The pace of Brown almost created an early chance after Millwall had given the ball away in midfield, however, as he was about to shoot he had a heavy touch and the ball was cleared. Rundle and Jelleyman exchanged passes down the left, Rundle whipped in a superb cross but sadly no Stags striker was on hand to tap the ball home. However, very much against the run of play Millwall took the lead. There appeared little danger as a left wing cross was overhit, however, Uhlenbeek's clearance was poor and Asaba was able to hook the ball over to May who beat Buxton to the ball to head into an empty net. Premiership referee Mike Riley was next in the spotlight. Coke did well inside the Millwall area and was clearly brought down near the touchline, whilst the Lions player got to the ball, this wasn't until he had fouled Coke, however, Riley waived away the Stags protests. The Stags last chance of the half fell to Brown, he was released by the excellent Barker, many in the West Stand thought his shot had gone in, but sadly it was only hit into the side-netting. All in all a fine 45 minutes from the Stags who were very unfortunate to go in a goal behind. Half Time 0-1 Millwall began the 2nd half confidently, Baptiste having to be alert to head clear a Hutchison corner and then a minute later covering well when Hjelde lost possession. However, just as the Stags had managed to get back into the game and start to exert some pressure of their own, they were hit by a second goal. Another Hutchison corner saw Pressman rooted to his line leaving Robinson to head past him from less than 6 yards. Pressman managed to get a hand on the ball but failed to prevent it going in - in truth Pressman should have claimed the ball direct from the corner. However, far from get their heads down the Stags fought back superbly. On 66 minutes Uhlenbeek hit a fine low shot which beat Marshall but rebounded off the post, however, the alert Brown slid in to poke the ball home. A minute later and the Stags were level, and deservedly so. Brown this time turned provider to slide Barker through the cente and he never looked like missing, side-footing an inch perfect finish past Marshall. At this stage you could only see the home side going on to win the game, such was their dominance. Uhlenbeek, a real livewire on the right, put in a fine low cross to Brown, the Stags striker mis-kicked but the ball fell to Barker who stretching just couldn't get enough on the ball to prod it home. With time almost up, Rundle saw his goal-bound effort bravely blocked by Lawrence. Just before the 90 minutes Millwall snatched an undeserved winner. A long free kick was headed straight to Livermore some 22 yards away, his volley hit the ground just before the goal-line and flew into the net leaving Pressman no chance. It was rough justice on the Stags. So another fine home performance but again defensive lapses cost the side dear, a familiar story from a side who can certainly score plenty of good goals, but who can also conceded plenty of scrappy ones. Without dwelling too much on negatives, Pressman was again found wanting, failing to collect a corner which was headed inside his own 6 yard box was fairly symptomatic of his season to date. Hjelde's lack of pace is also a worry, with Baptiste often having to play sweeper to prevent the Stags being caught out. However, Barker, Uhlenbeek and Rundle all had excellent games but for me Gareth Jelleyman just shaded man of the match for his defensive performance and also his support play on the Stags left. Man of the Match: Gareth Jelleyman |
||||
|
Report by: Rob Wheldon
|
||||
|
Line Up:
|
Pressman 5 Is costing us goals, rooted to his line for the corner which lead to Millwalls 2nd
Buxton 7 Accomplished display at right back Jelleyman 8 Probably the best game I've seen him play, excellent both defensively and in attack Baptiste 7 His pace got Hjelde out of trouble numerous times Hjelde 5 Slow and ponderous, only redeeming factor was his aerial ability, though 2 goals were scored from headers!! Uhlenbeek 8 Had a fine game marred only by his error which lead to Millwall's 1st Rundle 8 Some excellent crosses and a lively display D'Laryea 6 Got around the pitch well but didn't stamp his authority on the game Coke 6 Dreadful first half, but much improved in the 2nd Barker 8 Usual stuff from Richie, a goal, lots of good possession, though did miss a great chance to put the Stags 3-2 up Brown 7 Another lively display, scored and gave the visitors numerous problems |
|
Sub Line Up:
|
Not used: White, Littlejohn, Dawson, Birchall, Jacobs
|
|
Opposition Line Up:
|
Marshall, Lawrence, Elliott (Cogan 73), Robinson, Dunne, Livermore, Hutchison (Morris 73), Craig, May, Asaba, Hayles (Braniff 90). Subs: Igoe, Masterton.
|
|
Referee:
|
M Riley 5 The 50/50 decisions always went to the higher division side
|
|
|