Ten minute brace from Steve Morison takes three points for Millwall at The Den
Millwall - 2 (Morison 5’ , 8’)Rovers - 0
Tuesday 27th October, 7.45pm
The Den, Millwall
SkyBet League One
It was a quick turnaround for Rovers as Darren Ferguson’s side were looking to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat away at Peterborough at the weekend.
Rovers barely had time to settle when they found themselves a goal down inside five minutes. There was an initial let off as Luke McCullough was dispossessed in defence allowing Steve Morison to shoot from range, however his effort cleared the bar.
From the resulting goal kick Morison gave the home side the lead as he intercepted a pass from Stuckmann to Richie Wellens, allowing him to finish from six yards.
Just minutes later Millwall doubled their lead and Morison doubled his tally. A free kick delivered into the back post fell to the unmarked striker and he superbly volleyed the ball into the bottom corner past Stuckmann.
Rovers had a chance to get back into the game when Nathan Tyson crossed a ball in to an unmarked Andy Butler but his header cleared the bar without testing Jordan Archer.
The visitors again came close as Richie Wellens split the defence with a ball down the middle to Harry Middleton, shaking off his defender the youngster played a good ball across the box but it was just ahead of Coppinger to get the final touch.
Nathan Tyson had the best chance of the game to pull a goal back as Coppinger drilled a ball into the box. Not knowing much about it Tyson got a foot to it but missed the target from three yards.
Despite Rovers being two goals down, they were enjoying the majority of possession, however the home side looked dangerous on the break.
Stuckmann was called into action as Millwall caught Rovers on the break. Lee Gregory found himself with the ball in the six yard box and as he attempted to slide it into the bottom corner Stuckmann made an important save.
Minutes later Millwall should have made it three as Aiden O’Brien missed an open goal from six yards as the ball was played across the box, before Morison missed a free header in the area following a corner.
As we approached half time Middleton played a lovely ball over the top for Coppinger who, but for his miss timed first touch, was in a great position to pull a goal back.
HALF TIME: Millwall 2-0 Rovers
After a strong word from Darren Ferguson at half time, Rovers came out in the second half looking the better side.
Cedric Evina was a constant threat down the left hand side. Weaving his magic he broke into the box before crossing deep to Tyson whose header at full stretch went narrowly past the post.
Harry Forrester and Dany N’Guessan were introduced to the game as Rovers looked to find a way back in. Playing nice football in the Millwall half and winning a string of corners Rovers just couldn’t find that final ball to test Archer.
Millwall’s first chance of the second half came an hour in as Stuckmann was forced into another great save. As Morison’s header looked to be heading for the corner a full stretch Stuckmann somehow got his fingertips to it.
Middleton almost had the Rovers fans on their feet as he hit a screamer from 25 yards, with Archer beaten his shot rifled the side netting.
Forrester and Tyson linked up well down the left hand side but a string of crosses from the pair came to nothing.
There was controversy with ten minutes to play as Coppinger found himself through one on one but was chopped down from behind. Forrester stepped up to hit the resulting free kick and a huge deflection saw Archer left flat footed as it went inches past the post.
Desperate to pull a goal back Rovers threw men forward. As Coppinger pinged the ball to Tyson to head down for Williams, the substitute hit his shot on the volley but again it was just wide.
With four minutes added time played, it wasn’t Rovers’ night and Millwall continued their climb up the League One table taking all three points at The Den.
Team Lineups-
Millwall: Archer, Martin, Edwards, Craig (c), Gregory (Onyedinma 69’), Beevers, Ferguson (Webster 90’), Morison, Saville, O’Brien (Martin 86’), Thompson
Unused Subs: Forde, Cummings, Powell, Pavey
Cautions: Thompson 81’ , Craig 81’ , Beevers 88’ , Martin 90'
Rovers: Stuckmann, Butler, Evina, McCullough, Lund (Williams 77’), Taylor-Sinclair, Wellens (Forrester 53’), Coppinger (c), Stewart (N’Guessan 56’), Middleton, Tyson
Unused Subs: Marosi, Williams, Gobern, Keegan, Whitehouse
Attendance: 8, 294