Millwall 3 – 1 Rochdale

Photo: Brad Journeaux

Millwall v Rochdale

Millwall ended their winless start to the season at home with victory over Rochdale at the Den. Defensive blunders gifted Millwall the lead when Jimmy Abdou fired home inside four minutes. Peter Vincenti levelled for Rochdale just before half time but another lapse in concentration allowed Millwall to go in at the interval ahead via Shaun Williams. Millwall wrapped up their first home since April just after the hour mark when Steve Morison beat the offside trap before lifting over the on rushing Josh Lillis.

In their first long distance away trip of the season, Dale made a horrendous start, gifting Millwall the lead. Lillis’ pass out of defence was easily intercepted before a low ball into the area picked out Abdou to drill home.

Rochdale tried to stamp some authority on the game with Ian Henderson, Andy Cannon, Matt Lund and Peter Vincenti all dishing out some tough tackles which only managed to raise the Millwall fans voices as they got behind their side.

Lund was thwarted by a brilliant one hand save by home keeper Jordan Archer as Dale looked to get back on terms.

Dale struggled to penetrate the Millwall backline and the goal they had been craving came. Lund’s tenacious play against Abdou gave him space to pick out Henderson on the right wing. Henderson played a precision ball to Joe Bunney whose shot, although poor, inadvertently picked out Vincenti who stole in to head home the equaliser.

With thoughts of half time in everybody’s mind, Dale hit the self destruct button. Bunney was caught dwelling on the edge of his own 18 yard box, Morison taking the ball into the area before feeding Williams. The central midfielder was afforded the time and space inside the box to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.

Bunney replaced by Calvin Andrew at the interval with the change giving Dale more impetuous.

Henderson saw his close range shot bravely blocked whilst Vincenti headed well over when well placed.

Andy Cannon brought another fine stop out of Archer as Dale pushed forward.

Dale’s commitment to attacking left them exposed at the back and when Morison raced onto a through ball, he had the simple task of lifting the ball over Lillis to seal the win.

Attendance: 8,023 (383 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Kennedy, Lancashire, McNulty, Cannon, Rose, Allen (c), Lund, Vincenti, Bunney, Henderson
Subs: (not used) Diba, Eastham, McDermott, Rafferty, Alessandra, Camps, Andrew

Millwall: Archer, Edwards, Craig (c), Williams, Onyedinma, Beevers, Webster, Ferguson, Morison, Obrien, Abdou
Subs: (not used) Forde, Martin, Upson, Gregory, Martin, Marquis,Thompson

Referee: Mr J Adcock
Assistant Referees: Mr R Hulme & Mr M Wilson
Fourth Official: Mr I Cooper