From hero to zero
Date published: 19 August 2009
PAWEL ABBOTT’S world turned upside down at Millwall last night as Athletic slipped to their first defeat of the season in Coca-Cola League One.
The two-goal hero of Saturday’s victory at Leyton Orient was suddenly cast as the villain.
The striker’s first-half penalty miss was possibly the defining moment of a feisty fixture at the New Den, where seven players were booked including Chris Taylor, Jon Worthington and Abbott.
Abbott’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Lions ’keeper David Forde after the home side had taken the lead.
Athletic still had their chances in a lively encounter but they lacked the clinical edge of Millwall, who showed how it should be done in front of goal.
Millwall, last season’s beaten League One play-off finalists, were a cut above Athletic’s previous opponents, Stockport, Carlisle and Leyton Orient.
But on the evidence of last night’s performance in South Bermondsey, Dave Penney’s new-look team, given more time to gel, won’t be too far away come the end of the season.
Millwall asked more of Athletic than any team so far and they had the two best players on the pitch. Ali Fuseini ran the show in central midfield, while David Martin was a constant threat on the left-flank.
Because of the danger caused by the home side, Athletic’s influential midfield man Dean Furman spent much of the night on defensive duties rather than making his usual probing attacking bursts.
It will be viewed as another important part of the learning curve by Athletic, who were trying to win at the New Den for a third successive season.
Penney fielded the same starting line-up to Saturday after Alex Marrow recovered from a groin strain sustained at the Matchroom Stadium.
He used an identical 4-5-1 formation, with on-loan Marrow at right-back and Andy Holdsworth in the centre of midfield.
There was one change on the bench, however, with first-year professional Chris Rowney replacing the unwell Danny Whitaker.
Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, whose side had drawn their opening two league matches, dropped Alan Dunne, Scott Barron and Neil Harris and brought in Tony Craig, Adam Bolder and David Martin.
Athletic made an encouraging start, with Keigan Parker stopped in his tracks by a superb last-gasp tackle from left-back George Friend.
But they fell behind in the 12th minute from Millwall’s first meaningful attack.
Jack Smith’s right-wing cross was flicked on by Steve Morrison and Martin, free at the far post, cut back inside Marrow and shot into the roof of the net from inside the six-yard box.
Millwall grew in confidence as Bolder attempted an audacious chip from 40 yards and Morrison opened up the Athletic defence, only to fail to find two players free to his left.
Athletic were handed a route back into the game just short of the half hour mark when referee Andy D’Urso ruled that Holdsworth was tripped by Craig.
Abbott stepped forward and shot low to the right of ’keeper Forde, who somehow managed to turn the ball away for a corner.
The Millwall fans were whipped up to a frenzy by Athletic’s penalty and this translated on to the pitch as sparks began to fly.
GREAT CHANCE
Four players were booked in the final 15 minutes of the opening half — Taylor joined by three from the home side.
Athletic had one great chance to draw level late in the opening half when Taylor dispossessed Bolder in midfield and released Parker, but the frontman’s shot was beaten out by Forde.
Half-time substitute Harris should have doubled Millwall’s advantage within four minutes of his arrival, but he headed wide from six yards when completely unmarked.
Gary Alexander then had a header saved by Dean Brill as Millwall looked to seal victory.
Athletic were having little joy in their pursuit of an equaliser so, with 15 minutes left, Penney sent on former Millwall striker Darren Byfield for Holdsworth as he switched to an orthodox 4-4-2.
Jon Worthington had a great chance to equalise in the 85th minute when he created an opening through his own perseverance, but lofted his shot narrowly over from just outside the penalty area.
As Athletic pressed for a leveller, they were caught on the break in stoppage time.
Alexander crossed from the left, substitute Jason Price cushioned a header back across the face of goal and Harris found the net with a downward header to confirm the Lions’ first league win of the campaign and Athletic’s first defeat.
Ring confusion
ANDY D’URSO, a referee never far from controversy, caused a furore last night by refusing Millwall’s Neil Harris permission to play because he was wearing a wedding ring.
Harris, who has worn the ring for the last five years, taped his finger as usual but D’Urso would not allow him on as a substitute late on in the first half to replace injured Steve Morrison.
And as Harris was unable to remove the ring, D’Urso told the player to stay on the sidelines, so the Lions finished the half with 10 men.
Lions manager Kenny Jackett later revealed that soap was needed to ease the wedding ring from the finger of Harris, who finally came on from the restart.
