Millwall FC 2-2 Cardiff City - Match Report

Scores Again
By Chris O'Brien
October 23 2004

Gary O'Neil and Alan Lee were on target as Cardiff City earned a very respectable away point at the Den. Millwall twice came from behind, but the point was enough to life the Bluebirds out of the relegation zone.

Cardiff City took their unbeaten run to four matches, but couldn't bring home three points from the Den despite leading twice during a thrilling game in South London. On-loan England under-21 skipper Gary O'Neil and striker Alan Lee found the net as the Bluebirds earned a point that lifted them back out of the relegation zone.

There were few surprises with Lawrence's team selection. An injury to Paul Parry and John Robinson's recent move to Gillingham paved the way for youngster Joe Ledley to continue on the left flank and he once again showed his potential with an impressive display. Tony Warner returned to his old stomping ground between the sticks, defending a back four of Williams, Vidmar, Gabbidon and Barker.

Millwall started the brighter of the two sides, creating a handful of half chances, but Warner remained relatively untroubled. At the other end, Graham Kavanagh was causing the Lions a few problems in Midfield and was doing what he should have been doing all season - getting forward - which resulted in Graham Stack making a couple of saves from the City skipper.

Millwall's best chance of the half came from Dennis Wise, forcing his former team-mate Warner into a finger tip save following a long-range drive.

The 'lion share' of possession belonged with the hosts, but the deadlock was broken by City thanks to the impressive O'Neil. The Pompey midfielder, who adds an attacking dimension to the midfield, opened the scoring with a clever lob to send the travelling Bluebirds following of roughly 600 into ecstasy.

At half-time, player-manager Wise made an inspired substitution which changed the fortunes of the London outfit. Simpson was replaced with Neil Harris. The change had an almost immediate impact as Harris fed Joe Tessem down the right flank, who then made no mistake from near-range to restore parity at the Den.

Cardiff didn't roll over though as both teams squandered chances to take the lead in a nervous encounter. The Bluebirds took the lead through Lee on 65 minutes, but the goal was surrounded with controversy. Ledley looked to be obstructing Millwall 'keeper Stack when a Bluebirds corner swung into the box, but the referee saw no infringement as the Republic of Ireland forward headed home from only yards out.

Both teams had chances in the closing stages but the draw was the fair result. City climb to the dizzy heights of 21st and now look down on Nottingham Forest, Gillingham and Rotherham United in the relegation zone with contempt! Draws away at Brighton and Millwall are not that much to get excited about, but are big improvements on early season form.

Attentions now turn to the exciting mid-week League Cup clash at AFC Bournemouth. If City can bring back a win from Dean Court then a place in the fourth round awaits. 1987 was the last time the Bluebirds got that far in the Carling-sponsored competition, but Lennie Lawrence's side will fancy their chances after some improved displays in the Football League.

Full Time - Millwall 2-2 Cardiff City
Attendance - 10,476

Millwall: Stack, Muscat, Lawrence, Ward, Livermore, Dunne, Wise, Morris, Simpson (Harris 45), Tessem, Hayles.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Serioux, McCammon, Elliott.

Cardiff City: Warner, Williams, Gabbidon, Vidmar, Barker, McAnuff, O'Neil, Kavanagh, Ledley, Thorne, Lee.
Subs Not Used: Collins, Bullock, Alexander, Jerome, Weston.