United were drawn at home after beating Barnet in Round 1. It looked a tough task as Manager Neil Harris’s former side Millwall, both as player and manager looked to be formidable opponents following a strong start to the season. Injuries were hitting both sides already and the U’s made 5 changes with Zac Bradshaw, Sullay KaiKai, Glenn McConnell, Patrick Bauer and a welcome return for Gassan Ahadme. A crowd of 5363 including 1400 or so from south London made a healthy gate for a game previously ignored by many football fans. Proof that United are making real progress.
Millwall won the toss and the U’s kicked towards the South Stand where Millwall’s noisy supporters were sat. Although the U’s had the first chance when KaiKai crossed for Ahadme to head wide. Millwall though were moving the ball well and soon had the home team under pressure. On 7 Dykes hit a shot at goal following a lightening break, the ball left Jake Eastwood clutching fresh air as the ball hit the underside of the crossbar and was cleared. That was really close. As the visitors swarmed over United, Massey set up Cundle whose close range shot was saved at full stretch by Eastwood. As the ball broke clear Bangura-Williams and Kelly had follow up shots saved and cleared for a corner. Bangura-Williams sent over the corner for Cooper to hit the bar again, Eastwood punched the ball clear but in the close melee, Cooper stabbed the ball home from about 8 yards for 0-1. It was a wake up call.
Millwall were looking a classy outfit and in those early moments they ran the U’s ragged. Oseu-Tutu sent over a free kick which Baggott headed wide. It had been a tough start. As United attempted to play themselves back into the game, the visitors proved they could break quickly and Cundle crossed for Bangura-Williams to fire in a shot forcing Eastwood to save. United though were getting back into the game with KaiKai and Liam Bennett operating well on each wing. Moments before half time KaiKai crossed for Bennett to head just wide, a great effort but one for a centre forward really. Barely two minutes of stoppage time as half time game at 0-1. A flying start for the Lions with the U’s playing catch up. To be fair though the U’s were getting back in the game but again United looked rather lightweight.
Before the second half started Louis Appere replaced Ahadme by prior arrangement as it turned out. Ahadme looked good in the first half but it was good management. Dom Ball set up the exciting Issac Heath whose effort was blocked. Heath looks a really good player. Moments later a mistimed tackle by Bauer on Kelly of Millwall earned the United defender a yellow. No complaints there, Bauer though pulled up a few minutes later and was replaced by Callum Perry, United’s injury jinx striking again. United were back in the game but the visitors strong defence was playing well, centre halves Cooper and Dykes looking in commanding form. On 63 Millwall replaced Lovelace, Kelly and Osei-Tutu with Neghli, Metcalf and Sykes. United replaced Ball and KaiKai with Shayne Lavery and youth player Daniel Herd. United had a young look about them.
United had a real chance on 67 following good work from Pelly Mapanzu who set up Glenn McConnell who had time and space but he shot wide. It looked a decent chance. Although I had no real problem with referee Paul Howard he did appear rather lenient with some tackles by the London team. On 70 Sturge replaced Batth for Millwall. United forced a couple of corners but visiting keeper Crocombe was not really troubled. After going down injured Millwall replaced Bangura-Williams with Matthews on 78. Liam Bennett having a quieter half crossed for Lavery to fire wide. On a rare break, in the second half away, Sykes set up Dykes but he shot wide. I thought McConnell was harshly booked on 87 after a tackle on Massey.
The U’s set up a grand finale by having a real go towards the end. Another youth player Logan McDougald replaced Issac Heath on 89. It looked one of the youngest United teams I have seen in over 50 years at the club. During the 6 minutes of stoppage time, Herd was fouled outside the area but the resulting free kick from Perry was too close to Crocombe. Matthews then fouled McDougald on the edge of the box but Perry’s free kick took a deflection and went behind for a corner. The corner was cleared and the referee blew for full time.
The opening spell in this game saw the U’s on the back foot and a classy Millwall side passed the ball around nicely. A couple of early let offs was followed up by a scruffy goal conceded. Despite playing decent passing football at times, it was clearly apparent that United were light on players with little threat up front. Reinforcements are a necessity now as the injury list just grows. I would expect a number of new players soon with some tough games on the horizon. Following some great wing play Liam Bennett gets my star man award.
Ref Watch – Paul Howard – 7 Not really a difficult game to referee and overall referee Howard did well. His yellow cards though were inconsistent as some tough Millwall tackling went unpunished. However he let the game flow, had good positional sense and in the majority of occasions made the right decision.