The pub was getting more and more crowded and after Everton went 1-0 up in the Sky match we switched to the Market Porter.
Met the West Country seagulls, relieved Neil of his 2 spare Bournemouth tickets (I promise I will pay for them!!!!) and at about 2.15 we left to catch the 2.29 to South Bermondsey.
We had tickets in advance so it was straight in the ground and it was nice to see the away end filling up slowly. Now to our left I thought I was seeing things. It appears Millwall have opened a rather bizarre "chav" nursery, the dress code is sad Burberry or any old pink shirt. For those that want to look really stupid then large baseball caps added the hideous appearance.
What the parents think (they probably don't, that's the problem) but the way they behaved was hilarious. More about them later, I know that these days there is lots of talk of youth firms, but this must have been the toddler not very firm firm.
As for the match, well we played a more traditional 4-4-2, but players put themselves about and we generally tried to shut down any creative football.
The match was poor, then Chippy decided after being fouled that he would do a two footed red card challenge. The Referee should have sent himself off for Pushing Chippy, but his push did move him out the range of the irate Millwall players.
So 10 men and an hour of the game left. We defended well until half time and it was time for Wilkins to sort them out.
2nd half and Mayo was in for Rents, a good decision as we needed experience at the back. Santos had a great game , Millwall pushed up and had a couple of chances. Kuipers palmed a shot on to the post and Fraser (or was it Mayo, hooked it clear), then they beat us with a ball over the top, but Lynch blocked a shot heading towards the bottom corner.
With just minutes left, Cox won a dubious free kick, he took it himself and the kind Millwall defended steered it inside the keeper and into the net, cue excessive celebrations.
Now the Millwall toddlers decided to break the tape holding them out the end block, we mocked them and they were getting more and more wound up, until one big steward told them there would be no warm milk for them after the game if they didn't get back to there seats immediately, they all sheepishly returned at once.
Oh how the Millwall nutters of the past would be hanging heads in shame and embarrassment. We defended the 6 minutes of injury time excellently, and the players celebrated the final whistle down in front of us.
We went back to the Market Porter for a few more celebratory beers.
Kuipers - 7 did all was asked of him
Rents - 5 looked nervous, but good to get some experience
Santos - 8 my MOTM today, man mountain
Lynch - 6 partnered Santos well
El-Abd - 6 no much got past him
Carpenter - 2 stupid stupid red card
Hammond - 5 huffed and puffed
Reid - 5 sat deep at times
Cox - 7 pushed Santos for MOTM, always wants the ball
Revell - 6 ran and ran and ran
Hart - 6 as above
Subs
Mayo - 6 used his experience well (for Rents half time)
Fraser - 6 looks a useful player (on for Reid with 20 minutes left?)