Millwall Wise Up

Last updated : 26 October 2003 By David Clark

Star Geezer - Brian Jensen
It was following a lacklustre and mostly disappointing performance against a resolute and unsparkling Millwa' side under the temporary management of Dennis Wise. Declaring themselves fit again, Weller and Blake shrugged off niggles from the previous game against West Ham and Arthur received warm applause in his first home game since returning from exile at QPR. For the visitors, Dennis Wise plonked himself on the bench.

In what was largely a forgettable first half, played on a bitterly cold afternoon, neither side could muster anything resembling quality football and the game was played out in front of a subdued home crowd buoyed by the mighty travelling support of some three hundred from t' smoke.

Chaplow was inches away from an early cross Moore cross after good work between Blake and Facey. With only four minutes on the clock, the supposedly fit Weller limped off with a dodgy calf, Grantona gladly taking over the central midfield role.

With the visitors winning the midfield duel it was they who enjoyed the better of the possession and chances in the half. On the quarter hour, Arthur was caught dozing allowing the awkward Peeters in, only for a poorly executed lob to be easily collected by beastie boy Jensen.

On twenty minutes, poor defending by both Moore and West allowed Sweeney the freedom of the left flank. The resulting cross was swept goal wards by Peeters only to be thwarted by a one handed Jensen interception and the score sheet thankfully remained blank.

A similarly quick breakaway followed five minutes later, this time it was Harris' turn to attempt to sweep home, but in doing so he caught his studs and had to be stretchered away in some pain, Whelan taking his place in the visiting front line.

The game began to even out from the half hour mark as Clarets finally began to compete. Facey showed a neat touch inside the area and his well struck shot was well blocked as Clarets finally began to increase the pressure on Warner's goal, though the best Clarets could muster was a decent-ish shot from a subdued Chadwick which had Warner stretching.

With Millwa' looking to expose West as their preferred route to goal, Ifill was unlucky to see his well struck shot go just wide, when once again the visitors were not closed down soon enough. Grantona fired one into Row 'H' when well placed as the half time Bovril began to brew and Arthur put a ballooned header up the tunnel to sum up a very disappointing first half.

There was though almost a goal right on half time. Sloppy defending by the Clarets down by the corner flag allowed Ifill to rifle a low cross to the near post where Peeters shot from close range. Once again he was thwarted by an alert Beast who was then on hand to acrobatically tip over the resulting cross from the rebound.

Mr Bates did the honours and finally blew for half time, the chat at the break hardly concentrating on the dire forty five that had preceded the cheerleaders taking the field. HT 0-0.

Star Gazer - Dean West
With only seconds of the second half gone, Arthur was comatosed, Ifill looked to make the most of the loose ball, but thankfully he stood on it on the edge of the area, allowing Arthur time to recover and clear the danger.

Branch was somewhat fortunate to escape with only a lecture form Mr Bates after a wild challenge on Peeters as the two continued their first half duel. The let off was only brief though as the visitors took the lead from the resulting free kick. The marking on Peeters was poor, who was allowed to flick the ball on and the marking on Whelan was non-existent as he was allowed to lift the ball over Jensen and nod the ball home into the empty net allowing the three hundred or so to make some noise albeit brief.

The games only bookings followed, with West booked for a piece of awful defending before Whelan's name was amusingly added for dissent, after tapping the ball home despite the whistle having been blown.

Clarets upped a gear or two in search of an equaliser, but Millwa's back eight was having none of it, at least initially following their goal.

On the hour mark came the equaliser and a neat piece of play it was. Chadwick's deep cross was too good for Warner, who could only tip the ball on towards the corner flag. Facey was well positioned and volleyed the ball back into the six yard box from where Moore back-heeled home from three yards.

Clarets immediately tried to add to their tally, but Moore's shot could only be described as wild in the quick attack that followed before the troublesome Peeters was replaced. Twenty minutes in and a peach of a pass from the wing by Blake picked out a well positioned Facey, whose attempted lob on the volley was clawed away by Warner with Clarets now in their stride.

As the rain (remember the wet stuff?) began to fall and swirl around the ground, Clarets looked to take the game to Millwa', the visitors content to attack on the counter, keeping Branch and Arthur alert over the final minutes.

Having accidentally bent his toes backwards in a previous challenge, Chadwick was unable to continue, allowing Farrelly the chance to come on for his now routine cameo role. Sweeney's volley went straight across goal, before yet more awful defending from West allowed a counter attack down Clarets right to end with a shot coming back off the post.

Blake finally came into the game in the final few minutes, when first his cross was just too far in front of Facey and then with time ticking away, his last gasp shot was blocked by Robinson as the game ended all square. FT 1-1.

Att:- 10,435

Star Gazer

Dean West. Not at his best by any means. Some dire defending almost allowed Millwa' to have free runs at goal and it was more good fortune than skill that kept his red face at bay.

Beer Money

Was Paul Weller really fit? The smallness of the squad is becoming a real cause for concern with no second keeper used again today. Just when exactly will the squad be strengthened?

Star Geezer

Brian Jensen. Two key saves in the first half from Bob Peeters, kept Clarets in with a chance of some points. The big Dane is suddenly finding form that most didn't think he was capable of.

Champagne Tastes

The bubbly was a little flat today. If Blake and Chadwick aren't on top form, then there's little else in the entertainments department.