Millwall Away Lost 3 – 2
Picture curtsey of Keith
Scienza wasn’t available for the match at Millwall, which was a big blow as his replacement, Robinson, doesn’t offer the same short-distance pace, and, frankly, Robbo hasn’t been that great when replacing King Léo off the bench. Downes’ latest absence, through his latest suspension, also didn’t help, but Bragg had shown enough at Charlton to give confidence. Saints were on top in the opening proceedings, as they are wont to be, but it was a concern that the hosts looked the more dangerous in their initially more sporadic attacks, that were to become more and more frequent. With Bazunu to thank for a sharp save, we made it through to half time and hopes of a return to our early domination in the second period. It didn’t work out like that, but a 54th minute corner was to give us the lead, even if few in the ground understood why: referee Toner saw a tug on Harwood-Bellis’ shirt and gave a penalty which Armstrong smashed into the net. Hopes were high of a win against a side who are themselves going well, but 20 minutes on, someone, probably Jander, missed their marking duties and gave Azeez an opportunity that a player of his class doesn’t turn down. Worse was to come when centre back Taylor fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner, something I suspect he doesn’t do very often. The clock was now the enemy but Saints were back on level terms thanks to a Manning set piece – the fourth goal from this source in two games. This one was a free kick, and although Crocombe did well to save Harwood-Bellis’ header, Azaz was on hand at the far post to score from a difficult angle. With a generous award of seven minutes added time, there were ten minutes left in the game, with both sides looking keen on a winner. Entering the last of those ten minutes, sub Fraser missed a vital tackle, no-one mounted an adequate challenge on Crama from the subsequent cross and somehow a tame connection found its way into the net. The two teams were evenly matched, but if anyone deserved to shade it, I think the dispassionate would have to call it for Millwall. It ought to be recorded that Romeu made his return in this game, coming on for Bragg with the score at 1-1.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
3. Ryan Manning, now a set piece expert.
5. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, now an effective attacker!
9. Adam Armstrong, our most effective attacker.
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