Millwall Home Won 5 -1
A disappointing midweek result was followed by a flurry of transfer activity that brought Ward-Prowse back into the squad for the first time in three years while Schlotterbeck slotted straight into the side, Stephens paying the price for an error-prone start to the new season. The visitors were table-topping Millwall in a fixture that had looked too close to call, and the Londoners caused Peretz some discomfort with a shot by Arconte. Then, on just 15 minutes, they went ahead through Sykes whose shot may have got a touch from Manning and certainly got a decisive one from Schlotterbeck to divert it past Peretz. Manning hit the post from a short corner routine as Saints seemed to be wary of floating set pieces into the box where the visitors’ giant central defenders were waiting, but a free kick gave a better angle for a cross and neither Taylor nor Cooper were close to Larin as he buried a powerful header from Manning’s assist. Saints were now gaining the upper hand and they had another goal in them before half time. This had an element of fortune about it as Schlotterbeck went unpenalized after having Coburn in a half nelson before Saints advanced upfield and Scienza pounced on the ball after Larin forced an error from Cooper; a low cross from within the six yard box set up Azaz for a tap in. Such chances don’t always find the net, though, as Millwall soon demonstrated: Schlotterbeck had run into Downes leaving the Lions with a 3 v 1 situation that was wasted when Lisbee somehow hit the post with the goal gaping. The incident took Downes out of the game so we had Ward-Prowse on the pitch for the second period, and all he had to do was mark space rather than get involved in the hurly-burly of Championship football as his colleagues did the hard graft and reduced the league leaders to something of a shambles, really. Azaz’s run forward was halted by Cooper’s challenge on the penalty area line, and that of course still means a spot kick. With successful converters Ward-Prowse, Larin and Manning all on the pitch, it was a surprise that Scienza stepped up, but he shot powerfully enough to beat Crocombe and establish a two goal lead. Azaz was in action again as Saints increased their advantage, with his determination getting the ball to Larin who put away the bouncing ball with a superb left foot volley. You’d have put money on Larin completing a hat trick with another opportunity but we mustn’t be too greedy. In fact all the afternoon needed to be complete was a first Saints goal from substitute Fellows, and we even got that towards the end, thanks to some clumsy defending – at least we’ll assume Fellows will get the credit as Mubama followed up to make sure as the ball seemed to creep over the line off the post following Crocombe’s parry.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
7. Léo Scienza, totting up an assist and a goal – from the spot, but it still had to be scored.
9. Cyle Larin, two fine goals for him, making it four in three starts.
10. Finn Azaz, his stats being one goal and two assists.
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