Romain Esse scored his first Millwall goal as they claimed victory at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the campaign.
Team News
Matija Sarkic made his debut in the Millwall goal. Joe Bryan, Casper De Norre and Kevin Nisbet also made their debuts for the club.
As for Middlesbrough, Morgan Rogers and Marcus Forss started as last year’s top scorer Cuba Akpom was on the bench.
The Match
The Lions started the better of the two sides, with Flemming looking lively, the Dutchman has had plenty of admirers this summer and based on this performance, the Lions will be very happy they still have him in their squad.
The games first chance arrived as early as the fourth minute. Danny McNamara’s cross found debutant Casper De Norre in the box, he teed up Flemming, he curled his shot wide of the far post.
Duncan Watmore, playing against his former club, picked the ball and embarked on a fine run towards goal, his strike deflected away for a corner which produced nothing.
Shaun Hutchinson’s fine run down the right hand side allowed him to cross for Flemming who was unmarked but the Dutchman unfortunately hit an air shot when unmarked.
The home side thought they had taken the lead in the 39th minute, Hayden Hackney finished Matt Crooks’ cross but the linesman’s flag was raised as Crooks failed to keep the ball in play.
Watmore was really enjoying himself and in the 61st minute, he played in Nisbet who was denied superbly by Senny Dieng.
in the 67th minute, Rogers reminded Millwall he is a threat. He received the ball to his feet slipped as he shot, it looked like it was going wide but Murray Wallace’s toe forced the save from Sarkic.
The Lions took the lead in the 79th minute. Two substitutes Aidomo Emakhu and Esse combined brilliantly. Emakahu’s pace saw him break away from his marker and find Esse at the back post who curled in brilliantly to fire the Lions in front.
Boro created a number of chances to try and get an equaliser but they failed to trouble Sarkic in the Millwall goal and the Lions saw out the six minutes of stoppage time.