Millwall 0 City 1
Having moved to London in September, it’s been difficult seeing City’s matches but I get to as many as I can when back in Leicester or when they come to the capital. Therefore, a trip to the New Den was always on the cards but it was definitely an eye-opener.
Tony Warner, on loan from Premier League Hull, became City’s sixth goalkeeper of the season. Paul Henderson, David Martin, Carl Pentney, Mark Bunn and David Stockdale all had the accolade of representing City in the keepers net this season – surely some kind of record’s been broken because of this?
The game itself wasn’t the prettiest but we did the job. It was always going to be a tough game following the defeat in midweek to Tranmere. Millwall’s New Den is certainly not an easy place to go with a section of their fans behaving more like caged animals than human beings. No wonder the number of women and ethnic minorities amongst the crowd were minimal.
The Lions had a penalty appeal ignored after 21 minutes when Joe Mattock appeared to upend Marc Laird in the box as the midfielder tried to smash home the rebound from James Henry's initial strike. But it was City who broke the deadlock just a minute later when Steve Howard smashed home a low drive from 18 yards. It sent the Blue Army into raptures at the opposite end of the ground with the prospect of promotion inching ever closer….
Howard came close to doubling City’s advantage on the stroke of half-time with a free-kick from 30 yards, but it sailed just wide of the post. On-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley should have added a second for City in the 67th minute but his shot from inside the area was pushed behind by Millwall’s David Forde for a corner.
Only the post denied Matty Fryatt, who had an extremely quiet game, from adding a second in the 78th minute. Tony Craig's header three minutes later tested Tony Warner, but Millwall didn’t trouble him again and City comfortably ran down the clock.
Following the final whistle, it was announced that City fans would be kept locked inside the stadium’s enclosure to ensure no trouble would ensue with home supporters. This certainly wasn’t a surprise considering the club’s reputation and the fact that the game had to be stopped twice due to the throwing of coins at City players and the linesman.
But why the hell didn’t the police or the stewards do anything during the game instead of let it carry on? One copper said to me “this is what football’s like!” The reply was a short but sharp: “no, it‘s not”.
Millwall: Forde, Duffy, Craig, Whitbread, Frampton, Laird (Grimes 46), Bolder (Fuseini 59), Abdou, Henry, Alexander (Harris 79), Martin.
Subs Not Used: Pidgeley, Barron.
City: Warner 6, Gilbert 6 , Morrison 7, Hobbs 7, Mattock 7 , Cleverley 7 , Oakley 7, King 6, Dyer 5 (Hayles 75), Howard 7 (Kisnorbo 82), Fryatt 5.
Subs Not Used: Pentney, Gradel, Berner.
Attendance: 13,261. Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation