BY MYLES THORNTON
MILLWALL bounced back from their 3-2 defeat against Norwich City last weekend by claiming their seventh away win of the season with victory at Reading.
The Lions made one change from the side that lost to Norwich, George Long started in goal, a back four of Danny McNamara, Charlie Cresswell, Jake Cooper and Murray Wallace, Ryan Leonard and George Saville in midfield, an attacking midfield 3 of Andreas Voglsammer on the right, George Honeyman on the right and Zian Flemming in the middle, and February’s Player of the month Tom Bradshaw started up top.
The one change to the side was Voglsammer replacing Olivier Burke.
Just 15 seconds in, Jake Cooper was pulled down just outside of the box and Millwall were denied a free kick. However, in the 11th minute the visitors were awarded a penalty after Joe Lumley fouled Flemming.
Voglsammer had only found the net once for the club this season, netting the first in the victory at Watford on Boxing day, but he stepped up and fired the penalty high into the top corner to put the Lions ahead.
Two minutes later, the German’s free-kick caused problems in the box, with the Lions earning a corner. Saville whipped it in, Cooper won the first contact and headed it back across to Tom Bradshaw who, on the tuurn out his effort over the bar.
Half time came at the Select Car Leading stadium, Reading 0-1 Millwall!
Reading made a double Substitution at half time, Andy Yiadom and Scott Dann came off for Salif Mbengue and Liam Moore respectively, The second half got underway, Andy Carroll went down injured in the 55th minute and received treatment. The dual between him and Charlie Cresswell was an entertaining watch for the majority of the contest with a lack of any goalmouth action.
Then in the 61st minute another double substitution from the hosts, Nesta Guinness-Walker and Shane Long came off for Cesare Casedai and Lucas Joao respectively.
The Lions looked to secure all three points when Saville sent Bradshaw through on goal but the offside flag was raised against the Welsh international.
The hosts begun to turn up the heat on Rowett’s men and forced the Lions boss into a double change Honeyman and Voglsammer making way for Shaun Hutchinson and Burke as Millwall reverted to a back five.
A foul from Tom Holmes on Burke fashioned out another chance for the visitors, Cooper found Bradshaw but the latter’s shot was off target.
Tom Ince, who curled an effort over the bar, in the Royal’s only real opportunity in the game found himself in the referee’s notebook for a foul on Murray Wallace. From that free kick Flemming fired an effort wide.
Tom Ince picked up a booking for a foul and Millwall won a free kick. Murray Wallace whipped it in, it found Zian Flemming who just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Three minutes were added but neither side were able to conjure up any further chances.
The result leaves Millwall sixth in the table two points clear of Norwich who host Sunderland at Carrow Road on Sunday.
Image: Millwall FC.