Earlier this afternoon, Walsall Football Club played host to Millwall in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Cory Lees was in attendance, and you can read his match report below.
I'm a superstitious guy and I broke a mirror at work this week, lost my lucky pin badge before the match and my godson has claimed my lucky scarf, so you can see why I wasn't surprised by that result today!
An injury in training to 2nd in command Craig MacGillivray meant that young Liam Roberts was to make his senior debut for the saddlers and the only other change from the win at Doncaster saw Rico Henry start at left wing ahead of Milan Lalkovic. The saddlers started really well against the wind and rain but it was Millwall who had the first chance when Ed Upson tried his luck from distance but Robbo was equal to it and tipped it over the bar.
Then on 15 minutes a free kick from Anthony Forde was palmed away by visiting keeper Jordan Archer and from then on it seemed just a matter of time before all the hard work and crisp passing got us a well deserved goal.
Millwall did have a chance just after 30 minutes when Robbo made three excellent saves to deny Romeo, Gregory and Upson respectively but it was the saddlers who had the best chance of the half just before the break when Jason Demetriou went on a galloping run before cutting the ball back to Forde on the edge of the area, and after composing himself he unleashed a shot which beat Archer but cannoned off the crossbar.
Within minutes of the second half starting, the saddlers hit the woodwork again when Henry's cross looped over Archer and against the far post before Forde's follow up strike being well blocked.
Then on 50 minutes the worst thing that could happen, happened ! Pin up Tom Bradshaw was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Jordan Cook and after the latter and Demetriou went for the same ball into the box Millwall went up the other end and scored against the run of play as Wolves loanee Jed Wallace sent in a cross and top scorer Gregory made no mistake from 6 yards beating Roberts.
On 70 minutes it got worse when Romeo who I believe is Jazzy Jeffs son! ran nearly the length of the pitch and fired across Roberts into the far post. O'Driscoll responded by bringing on Morris and Lalkovic for surprisingly, Chambers and not so surprisingly the out of confidence Taylor but with 10 minutes left Millwall put any hopes of a fight back well out of mind.
Some poor defending gave Shaun Williams a chance to play yet another long ball up to Gregory and the in form striker made no mistake and fired past Roberts.
I think 3-0 is very flattering for Millwall and if we had taken our chances I'm sure we would have gone on and won the game but with no Bradshaw and Sawyers not scoring since October I think it's imperative OD needs to get a forward in on loan.
Right I'm off to find this pin badge and try and wrestle a scarf off a 7 year old! Keep believing guys and get behind the team, I'm sure it's just a blip UTS!
An injury in training to 2nd in command Craig MacGillivray meant that young Liam Roberts was to make his senior debut for the saddlers and the only other change from the win at Doncaster saw Rico Henry start at left wing ahead of Milan Lalkovic. The saddlers started really well against the wind and rain but it was Millwall who had the first chance when Ed Upson tried his luck from distance but Robbo was equal to it and tipped it over the bar.
Then on 15 minutes a free kick from Anthony Forde was palmed away by visiting keeper Jordan Archer and from then on it seemed just a matter of time before all the hard work and crisp passing got us a well deserved goal.
Millwall did have a chance just after 30 minutes when Robbo made three excellent saves to deny Romeo, Gregory and Upson respectively but it was the saddlers who had the best chance of the half just before the break when Jason Demetriou went on a galloping run before cutting the ball back to Forde on the edge of the area, and after composing himself he unleashed a shot which beat Archer but cannoned off the crossbar.
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 | HALF TIME
WALSALL 0 MILLWALL 0
Within minutes of the second half starting, the saddlers hit the woodwork again when Henry's cross looped over Archer and against the far post before Forde's follow up strike being well blocked.
Then on 50 minutes the worst thing that could happen, happened ! Pin up Tom Bradshaw was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Jordan Cook and after the latter and Demetriou went for the same ball into the box Millwall went up the other end and scored against the run of play as Wolves loanee Jed Wallace sent in a cross and top scorer Gregory made no mistake from 6 yards beating Roberts.
On 70 minutes it got worse when Romeo who I believe is Jazzy Jeffs son! ran nearly the length of the pitch and fired across Roberts into the far post. O'Driscoll responded by bringing on Morris and Lalkovic for surprisingly, Chambers and not so surprisingly the out of confidence Taylor but with 10 minutes left Millwall put any hopes of a fight back well out of mind.
Some poor defending gave Shaun Williams a chance to play yet another long ball up to Gregory and the in form striker made no mistake and fired past Roberts.
I think 3-0 is very flattering for Millwall and if we had taken our chances I'm sure we would have gone on and won the game but with no Bradshaw and Sawyers not scoring since October I think it's imperative OD needs to get a forward in on loan.
Right I'm off to find this pin badge and try and wrestle a scarf off a 7 year old! Keep believing guys and get behind the team, I'm sure it's just a blip UTS!
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 | RESULT
WALSALL 0 MILLWALL 3
GOALS | Gregory (61' & 77'), Romeo (70')ATTENDANCE | 4,843 (749 Millwall)
REFEREE | Mr. Trevor Kettle | Rutland
BY | CORY LEES