24-02-2019, 10:48
Millwall 1 Thompson Preston North End 3 Hughes, Clarke, Maguire
Millwall line-up: Archer, Hutchinson ©, Cooper, Williams, J Wallace, Gregory, Romeo, Elliott (Morison, 46), M Wallace (Ferguson, 46), Leonard (Thompson, 66), Marshall. Subs not used: Martin, Onyedinma, Pearce, O’Brien.
PNE line-up: Rudd, Clarke ©, Hughes, Pearson, Storey, Davies, Barkhuizen (Johnson, 72), Gallagher (Nmecha, 72), Maguire, Browne, Potts (Ledson, 90). Subs not used: Crowe, Earl, Rafferty, Stockley.
Attendance: 1015
Referee: Mr S Martin
Basically we had won this after 30 minutes three up and cruising to victory the game could have died there and then but fair play to the home side they didn't give up in the second half and made us work hard and if they had got a second could have been interesting but on the balance of play thoroughly deserved the victory.
One change Fisher mised out Clarke came in, could have been one up in the first minute Archer saving well from Barkhuizen after good work by Maguire, not toworry we were soon in front Gallagher free kick only half cleared by defence Hughes first effort blocked second effort with right foot flew in.
The second from a corner again by Gallagher poor defending Clarke header fom eight yards, the third again Gallagher involved sublime pass to Maguire who flicked the ball past Archer three up in only 30 minutes dreamland. It was all too easy with Barkhuizen giving Murray Wallace a runaround, Maguire's intelligent front running and the usual stellar performance from Pearson. The Lions were dangerous on the odd occasion they got forward with the giant Elliott causing us some problems in the air.
Two changes from the home side at the break and bringing on the experienced Morison helped the home side also we lacked the itensity of the first half and had to deal with a lot of home side pressure in the second half, they had gone close a coupkle of times before substitute Thompson scored with his first touch. Nearly had a second after Rudd parried a shot the rebound should have been buried the home player put it wide and with it went their last chance of salvaging anything.
One down side Pearson who was public enemy number one after being on the receiving end of some treatment from the home side received his 10th booking of the season which means he misses the games against Bristol and the Plastics. Otherwise Job done and up to 10th.
Millwall manager Neil Harris:
"The second goal was embarrassing. The players didn't do what they were supposed to. We were lacklustre first half - we didn't get out the traps.
"The players got a reminder at half-time about what it means to play for this club. You can't give teams three-goal headstarts in this division. I'll praise them for the second half, but not the first. We were terrible.
"Preston were good today, but it was more that we were really poor. We let ourselves down.
"Hull (on Tuesday) is the third game in six days, so I'll have to think not just about the physical aspect of it, but the disappointing performances of some of the players. I'll certainly take my time in considering my starting 11."
Preston manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It was one of our best performances, in terms of the first half. I thought we took Millwall apart and we could have scored more than three. The only disappointing thing was second half, we need to show more composure - I thought we tried to turn the ball too much.
"I've been saying for a while we're probably one wide player short and I thought that came home to roost today in terms of wanting to keep pace at the top end, because that was hurting them, but also wanting to keep the full-backs in place on the flanks.
"If you offered me 3-1 beforehand I'd certainly have taken it because this is a tough venue to come and win. Inevitably when you've got something to protect - and you can hear the (Millwall) fans are really demanding of their team, naturally the players are going to respond and react to that.
"We just needed to take a little bit more care, have a bit more incisiveness with the pass, take an extra touch and move the ball."
Millwall line-up: Archer, Hutchinson ©, Cooper, Williams, J Wallace, Gregory, Romeo, Elliott (Morison, 46), M Wallace (Ferguson, 46), Leonard (Thompson, 66), Marshall. Subs not used: Martin, Onyedinma, Pearce, O’Brien.
PNE line-up: Rudd, Clarke ©, Hughes, Pearson, Storey, Davies, Barkhuizen (Johnson, 72), Gallagher (Nmecha, 72), Maguire, Browne, Potts (Ledson, 90). Subs not used: Crowe, Earl, Rafferty, Stockley.
Attendance: 1015
Referee: Mr S Martin
Basically we had won this after 30 minutes three up and cruising to victory the game could have died there and then but fair play to the home side they didn't give up in the second half and made us work hard and if they had got a second could have been interesting but on the balance of play thoroughly deserved the victory.
One change Fisher mised out Clarke came in, could have been one up in the first minute Archer saving well from Barkhuizen after good work by Maguire, not toworry we were soon in front Gallagher free kick only half cleared by defence Hughes first effort blocked second effort with right foot flew in.
The second from a corner again by Gallagher poor defending Clarke header fom eight yards, the third again Gallagher involved sublime pass to Maguire who flicked the ball past Archer three up in only 30 minutes dreamland. It was all too easy with Barkhuizen giving Murray Wallace a runaround, Maguire's intelligent front running and the usual stellar performance from Pearson. The Lions were dangerous on the odd occasion they got forward with the giant Elliott causing us some problems in the air.
Two changes from the home side at the break and bringing on the experienced Morison helped the home side also we lacked the itensity of the first half and had to deal with a lot of home side pressure in the second half, they had gone close a coupkle of times before substitute Thompson scored with his first touch. Nearly had a second after Rudd parried a shot the rebound should have been buried the home player put it wide and with it went their last chance of salvaging anything.
One down side Pearson who was public enemy number one after being on the receiving end of some treatment from the home side received his 10th booking of the season which means he misses the games against Bristol and the Plastics. Otherwise Job done and up to 10th.
Millwall manager Neil Harris:
"The second goal was embarrassing. The players didn't do what they were supposed to. We were lacklustre first half - we didn't get out the traps.
"The players got a reminder at half-time about what it means to play for this club. You can't give teams three-goal headstarts in this division. I'll praise them for the second half, but not the first. We were terrible.
"Preston were good today, but it was more that we were really poor. We let ourselves down.
"Hull (on Tuesday) is the third game in six days, so I'll have to think not just about the physical aspect of it, but the disappointing performances of some of the players. I'll certainly take my time in considering my starting 11."
Preston manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It was one of our best performances, in terms of the first half. I thought we took Millwall apart and we could have scored more than three. The only disappointing thing was second half, we need to show more composure - I thought we tried to turn the ball too much.
"I've been saying for a while we're probably one wide player short and I thought that came home to roost today in terms of wanting to keep pace at the top end, because that was hurting them, but also wanting to keep the full-backs in place on the flanks.
"If you offered me 3-1 beforehand I'd certainly have taken it because this is a tough venue to come and win. Inevitably when you've got something to protect - and you can hear the (Millwall) fans are really demanding of their team, naturally the players are going to respond and react to that.
"We just needed to take a little bit more care, have a bit more incisiveness with the pass, take an extra touch and move the ball."
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