ZIAN FLEMMING’S fifth goal in five games sealed Millwall’s first away win of the season.
Tom Bradshaw gave the Lions the lead on the stroke of half-time. City’s inability to deal with a free-kick allowed the Welshman to pounce. The Robins equalised through a Shaun Hutchinson own goal, but Flemming continued his scoring run to ensure the Lions left Bristol with all three points.
The hosts started the game the better side. Antonie Semenyo, in particular, was causing most of the problems. An early cross came to him but his effort was blocked.
A couple of minutes later, Bradshaw’s loose touch let him down inside the box, allowing Max O’Leary to smother the ball. 11 minutes later, a Lions corner caused problems, Murray Wallace’s header back across goal fell to Bradshaw, but again, the City defence did its job. Corners were causing so many issues for the Robins, Cooper headed another back into the danger area, but there was no Millwall man close enough to prod it home.
Four minutes later, the Lions should have been in front. Hutchinson’s header was cleared off the line as the Lions continued threatening from set-pieces.
In first-half stoppage time, they finally got their reward. Flemming’s free-kick was not properly cleared by the City defence, and Bradshaw was there to fire the Lions in front.
It took until the 59th minute for the home side to trouble George Long. Surprise, surprise it was Semenyo. His effort at the near post was stopped well by Long as City began to grow into the contest. Tomas Kalas made a stunning block to prevent Hutchinson from making it 2-0. However, in the 71st minute, Hutchinson put through his own net. Cameron Pring’s powerful cross deflected off the Millwall skipper and past Long into the net,
Millwall, however, provided the best possible response. Set-pieces again. O’Leary came to claim a free-kick, made a hash of it, and Flemming was there to slot home his fifth goal in his last five games to restore Millwall’s lead.
Benik Afobe saw a late penalty saved, but the Lions held on through six minutes of stoppage time to claim their first away win in six months.
Image: Millwall FC