REPORT: Millwall v Vale
Attendance 7,042 including 122 visiting supporters
League One
Tuesday 14th February 2017
At the New Den
Millwall v Port Vale
Vale couldn’t duplicate their performance against Gillingham three days earlier when the Lions scored twice to take all three points, leaving Vale wondering where their next win would come from.
The home side’s first half strike had an element of luck about it, with the ball bouncing round almost like in a pinball machine, before it dropped nicely for Aiden O’Brien to fire past Leo Fasan.
The Vale ‘keeper did well to keep out a second half spot kick from Morison, diving to his right to push the ball away, but second later the home side struck again when Cooper headed home and Vale had no answer.
Michael Brown named the same starting eleven that started at the weekend at Gillingham for what was always going to be a tough game against Millwall at the New Den.
The only change came on the bench, where the boss named himself, as advised by his backroom staff and the medical team due to a couple of players picking up knocks the potentially could mean they may not be able to play the full ninety minutes.
And in fact Sam Foley looked to be struggling a little, early on in the game, his limp suggesting he may not see out the whole of the game unless things improved.
minute when Fred Onyedinma sent a low ball into the box.thThe home side, looking to consolidate their position amongst the promotion chasers, were wondering how they didn’t take advantage in the 7
It evaded not only three Vale defenders, but also the waiting Millwall forwards, none of whom could get that all-important foot on the end of it.
JJ Hooper cut inside from the left to try a shot, but it didn’t trouble Lions’ ‘keeper Jordan Archer, who was able to gather the ball quite comfortably.
Vale looked like they were beginning to grow into the game, gradually pushing the home side deep into their own half, but had little to show for it in terms of end product.
Danny Pugh was again a calming influence for the Vale in the middle of the park, knowing instinctively when to slow things down and when to speed things back up again.
GOAL: to drill past Fasan from 8 yards.Aiden O’Brien minute with in rather fortuitous manner when the ball twice ricocheted off Vale defenders and then fell invitingly for thThe home side took the lead in the 26
When Steve Morison managed to beat Nathan Smith wide on the Vale left, it could have easily been two-nil when Onyedinma met the ball with a clean, powerful header, but Fasan was well positioned to make the save.
Vale were then forced into making a change, with Remie Streete clearly struggling. Kjell Knops moved inside o take his place in the heart of the defence, while Scott Tanser came off the bench to slot in at left back.
Danny Pugh went close in first half stoppage time after picking up a short pass inside from Anthony de Freitas, he tried his luck from 25 yards but his dipping effort dropped just over the crossbar.
The home side were handed a golden opportunity to double their lead when Kjell Knops committed a foul inside the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot.
Steve Morison placed the ball and struck the penalty to the right of Fasan, who, for the second time since joining the club on loan dived to his right to make the save.
GOAL: rose above the Vale defence to send a powerful header into the net.Jake CooperIt was a case of déjà vu for the on loan goalkeeper, however, because again, just like his first penalty save, he was picking the ball out of the net just moments later, when
minute when Michael Brown sent on Olamide Shodipo as a replacement for Anthony de Freitas.thVale made a second change in the 55
Vale fought on bravely, but seldom had an opportunity to hurt a Millwall side who were looking sharp all over the pitch, knocking the ball about with confidence, in contrast to their opponents who looked to be lacking in belief at times.
You have to give credit to Vale for their work rate, however, with the team putting in the effort, even though things were not really coming off for them.
minute when Anton Forrester came off the bench to take the place of Tyler Walker.rdVale made their third and final change in the 83
There was still time for Fasan to make a terrific save to prevent substitute David Worral’s header going into the top corner – the Vale ‘keeper stretching to his right to claw the ball away.
MILLWALL: Tom King, Joe Martin, David Worrall, Mahlon Romeo, Shane Ferguson, Jimmy Abdou, Harry Smith.SUBS:Jordan Archer, Shaun Cummings, Tony Craig, Shaun Williams, Fred Onyedinma, Jed Wallace, Calum Butcher, Byron Webster, Steve Morison, Aden O’Biren, Jake Cooper.
PORT VALE: Ryan Boot, Sam Kelly, Anton Forrester, Scott Tanser, Chris Eagles, Olamide ShodipoSUBS:Leo Fasan, Ben Purkiss, Remie Streete, Kjell Knops, JJ Hooper, Sam Foley, Danny Pugh, Nathan Smith, Callum Guy, Tyler Walker, Anthony de Freitas.