Millwall 2 - Crewe 2 (Back to Report Lists)
Let’s not beat around the bush, dear reader, you know as well as I do that a draw at home to Crewe was not exactly what was required to make us reasonable candidates for a play off push but please don’t run off with the idea that it was all doom and gloom.
This game is all about opinions and for my two pennerth I’d say that the result in no way reflects what actually took place on the pitch.
Well, that’s not strictly true, is it, I mean of course the result reflects what happened, it can’t do anything but reflect, but, to use a worn out cliché, as I am wont to do, if this game was a boxing match the ref would have stopped the fight long before the final round.
Oor Wullie made one significant change from the team that beat Carlisle and that change, unfortunately, meant Dunne was in for Ardley. Now Wullie is obviously his own man and he can justifiably stand by his convictions as he points to the league table and our current form but was there anyone in the 8,500 who thinks Dunne is worthy of the kind of status afforded him? Is he becoming the new Livermore (cross yourself three times, turn round and spit). I fuckin’ hope not but it does beggar belief that more gifted players are being pushed aside to accommodate this woeful excuse for a professional footballer.
Ardley is side lined (fair enough, he had an appalling first half against Carlisle) so we expect Chris Hackett to step in, not Dunne. Perhaps the rumours of Hackett not applying himself properly in training are the reasons behind this particular nonsense? I guess it will all come out in the wash at some point but in the mean time it is pretty frustrating for the majority of fans.
Anyway, on to the game itself and visions of Orient crept over us as Crewe came perilously close to opening the scoring when a dipping effort was tipped onto the bar and over for a corner by Pidgers who looked astonished when the ref (a piss poor bloke by the name of Sutton) pointed for a goal kick. I think Pidgers wanted to milk the applause for the save, the dopey sod.
We slowly got into our stride and it was soon apparent that Crewe were no longer the slick, passing side of old. Mr Piggy look-a-like, Dario Grady appears to have adopted a more route one approach but with very little thought behind it. Their defence seemed happy to just boot the ball into our half then defend resolutely for all they were worth.
We did our utmost to capitalise on the constant pressure we were putting on their defense but we just couldn’t find a way through. The always impressive Danny Senda had a chance with a good effort from distance and Baby boy and Bomber were really working their collective socks off, but all to no avail.
Dave Brammer (could he be POTS?) was back to bossing the midfield and he almost created the opener with a deliciously wicked corner that Byfield headed goalwards. It was cleared off the line by a panicky Crewe defender and away to safety.
Baby Boy then turned provider with a little help from Brammer, and sent over an inviting cross into the six yard box. Bomber had more time than he knew but opted for a quick header only to see the ball loop agonising over the cross bar.
About five minutes later, disaster struck.
Another punt out of the Crewe defence saw the ball heading towards the right hand touchline. A farcical, almost geriatric race ensued between Richard Shaw and Rodney Jack. In truth, Shaw should have either clattered Jack and accept the foul or aim for row Z and safety. I am still not quite sure how Jack managed to get the ball in the first place but you couldn’t help but admire how he not only won the ball but sent over an inch perfect cross for the in rushing Higdon who made no mistake with a simple header. 0-1. A typical smash and grab type goal. Totally against the run of plan but executed with precision.
Now if this had happened in the early part of the season the script would have been that our heads would drop, we would start arguing amongst ourselves, the fans would start booing and effing and blinding and we would have sunk without trace.
But not anymore.
Sure, there were the odd shouts of derision from, shall we say, the less knowledgeable of Millwall fans, but on the whole, you got the feeling that we would get back into the game.
The players responded well and were immediately on the attack. More chances came but we just missed that final connection. Bomber and Baby Boy were terrifying the opposition and they are beginning to look like a real combination. Their movement and running off the ball was lovely to see.
Brighton and Baby Boy set Bomber up with another good chance but again the target was missed by inches as Harris’ shot whistled past for a goal kick.
Time was running out for a first half equaliser and we had almost resolved ourselves to expect a one goal deficit at the break when the Baby Boy and Bomber show finally got what their efforts deserved.
Harris collected the ball out on the right wing, nutmegged the hapless Crewe defender, raced towards the by line and sent over a beautiful cross that Baby Boy couldn’t fail to convert. He gleefully headed home past Williams and sent the crowd into raptures. 1-1!
The whistle blew not long after and the sigh of relief was audible all around the ground.
Now then…MISA members mention time and me and MrsB briefly saw the ubiquitous Herman Boring before the game and Del & Lin after the game and in between we had the company of Nez, NickB, CharlieMFC, Elmoputney, Essex Exile, Mustard Sammy, Dalboy, The Doctor (who had his work cut out looking after HPS and Dartford who were a bit under the weather…) Harpo8 made a brief appearance and showed us his war wound. It looked like he had sold a kidney but he insisted it was a football related injury and as such put forward his case for playing in the upcoming game between MISA and Millwall Online…(put it in your diaries people, March 31st at Bellingham Leisure centre)
The second half was all Millwall with chance after chance failing at the final hurdle, Bomber and Baby Boy continuing to inflict all sorts of mayhem on the over worked Crewe rearguard, a header here, a bicycle kick there, all it needed was a little bit of good fortune and we would be away.
Even the inept Dunne hit a shot that was comfortably saved by the overworked Williams.
Oor Wullie sensed that a change was needed and the crowd was lifted by the sight of Chris Hackett getting ready to enter the fray. Dunne had proved to be no replacement for the normally reliable Ardley and we prepared to welcome the change.
I cannot repeat what was said when Brighton’s number was held up. Hackett is not a left winger, is he? No, he is not and neither is Dunne but he trotted over to replace Brighton as Hackett took on the right wing role. Very strange indeed.
Hackett injected a bit of oomph down the right side and Crewe realised the danger straight away. They doubled up on Hackett at every opportunity but he still put the fear of God into them every time he got the ball.
Close on 80 minutes the call went out for Pubertz to take to the stage. The crowd roared its approval and this time it was clear that Dunne would go off, Harris could drop back to cover and Pubey could be let loose up front.
But no! This time the always impressive Danny Senda had to make way for Pubey and to our utter amazement we watched Dunne trot back to finish the game off as right back. So oor Wullie went with a 4-3-3 to try and get the coveted three points. Why he didn’t just lose Dunne is anybodies guess but the arrival of the great Dane caused pandemonium in the Crewe ranks. He had a header go just over then seconds later hit a ferocious drive that Williams did well to parry for a corner. From the corner there was an almighty goalmouth scramble but the ball would not fall kindly for the lions and it was finally booted clear by the Railwaymen.
And then, disaster struck again.
For some inexplicable reason Tony Craig decided to head a ball out for a corner as it was going out for a goal kick.
Now picture the scene. 1-1. Total dominance. Bad luck in front of goal. 5 minutes on the clock. An unnecessary corner. We all knew what that equation would result in, didn’t we. The ball crossed in, panic stations, a hopeful swing at the ball by Moss and suddenly it’s 1-2 and we are staring defeat in the face.
Some of our more disbelieving fans used this as a cue to migrate back to their drinking holes, or cars, or train stations. More fool them! This a new, revitalised Millwall, not a Spackmanesque lay down and die outfit.
The 90 minutes were up. The fourth official held up an electronic life saving four minutes of stoppages. Had all hope gone? Not when you have Superpube!
Another blitz on the Crewe goal, this time the ball finally fell kindly and Pubey rapped the ball home for the more than well deserved equaliser! 2-2!!
The celebrations were as if we had won the game, such was the feeling of delight. The leave early Johnnies in Zampa road could be seen looking back in disbelief but that’s their own stupid fault! Never, ever leave before the final whistle!!
Talking of final whistles, ref Sutton blew up and the lads got the ovation they deserved. A real rip roaring game of football, total dominance but only a point to show for it.
Never mind, a point nearer the play offs!! It could have been oh so different!
Now we are travelling en masse to the sunny seaside town of Bournemouth on Saturday. At least 1500 lions fans are expected…I hope to see many MISA members on show!
Look out for the big blue Bonemobile on the M3
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