Jordan Spence headed an 88th minute winner as the Blues ran out 4-3 winners of a remarkable game against Millwall at the Den. The Lions went ahead through Jed Wallace in the opening minute, Joe Garner equalised three minutes later before Martyn Waghorn put the Blues in front, Aiden O’Brien levelled for the home side, then Waghorn restored Town’s lead in first-half injury time. Millwall made it 3-3 via sub Tom Elliott but Spence won it with his first goal for the Blues with two minutes remaining.

Mick McCarthy named the expected side with all four of his frontline strikers starting. David McGoldrick partnered Garner up front with Waghorn on the right and Freddie Sears on the left.

Flynn Downes travelled having suffered knocks at Barnsley on Saturday but wasn’t in the 18 with Grant Ward alongside Cole Skuse in the middle of midfield.

At the back, Spence joined skipper Luke Chambers at centre-half with Dominic Iorfa at right-back and Jonas Knudsen on the left. Bartosz Bialkowski was in goal.

Bersant Celina missed out as he is again unwell, while Michael Crowe is the sub keeper with Dean Gerken missing the trip for personal reasons.

With 10 first-team players currently unavailable - Celina, Gerken, Downes, Tommy Smith, Adam Webster, Teddy Bishop, Tom Adeyemi, Luke Hyam, Andre Dozzell and Emyr Huws - Town named a very inexperienced bench with Myles Kenlock having made the largest number senior appearances for the Blues.

Millwall took the lead with the game’s first attack in the 44th second. O’Brien crossed from the left, Knudsen challenged with Steve Morison and the ball dropped for Wallace eight yards out. The former Pompey man was able to wait for it to bounce before hitting a shot which appeared to catch two Town defenders on its way past Bialkowski and into the net.

Millwall’s lead lasted only three minutes. After receiving the ball from Iorfa midway inside the Lions' half Garner struck what looked like a speculative shot from almost 30 yards out which deflected off Shaun Hutchinson and wrong-footed Jordan Archer in the Millwall goal, who dived beyond the ball as it flew past him to his left.

The game continued to be an end-to-end affair, Ward eventually clearing after a minor scramble in the Town box.

On 12 O’Brien turned the ball over the bar when well-placed 10 yards out, the ball having broken to him from the right. The Irish U21 international will feel he ought to have done better.

Ward picked up the game’s first yellow card in the 24th minute for a high boot as he challenged Shaun Williams on halfway.

A minute later, Iorfa blocked a powerful George Saville shot from just outside the area with the Lions having most of the ball and looking the more dangerous of the sides.

On 28 Shaun Hutchinson headed Williams’s freekick from the left over the bar at the far post, Iorfa having fouled James Meredith.

The Millwall left-back was booked a minute later for an obvious dive as he chased a return pass into the area.

Having rarely threatened since their equaliser, the Blues took the lead in the 34th minute. Garner picked up the ball from a loose Saville throw on the Blues’ left and fed the overlapping Ward.

The former Spurs man whipped over a low ball which Waghorn slammed into the net at the near post having run across Hutchinson.

But as with Millwall’s earlier lead, Town’s advantage wasn’t to last too long. Two minutes had past when Bialkowski saved Lee Gregory’s shot down to his left and then scooped the loose ball away when grounded when it appeared Knudsen might have been in a position to put it behind.

Saville subsequently struck a shot from a tight angle on the right which hit the bar and bounced down to O’Brien, who looped goalwards with Spence only able to slam into the roof of the net as he sought to clear.

What had started as an open game had become even more open with both teams looking likely to score every time they went forward. On 37 Garner whipped over a cross from the left which Waghorn just failed to reach.

In injury time Knudsen crossed from the left and Waghorn headed wide at the far post but in the final moments of the half the last week’s signing from Rangers gave the Blues the lead for the second time, via a goal which was mainly down to the skill and persistence of McGoldrick.

The Irish international looked second best to reach Garner’s pass into his path on the right of the area but beat Meredith for strength, then put the ball to one side of Hutchinson and ran the other and took it away from the keeper, before cutting it back to Waghorn, who turned in his third goal for his new club.

Referee James Linington ended what had been a pulsating half soon afterwards with the Town support still cheering the goal.

At times the period had resembled a basketball match with one side scoring at one and and the other doing the same at the other.

Town boss Mick McCarthy will have been delighted with the quality of his attackers’ creativity and goals but equally unhappy and frustrated by the manner in which his makeshift defence had conceded.

Millwall manager Neil Harris will have felt much the same. Further goals after the break at both ends in the second half appeared a certainty.

It was the Lions who threatened first after the restart, O’Brien cutting in from the left and hitting a shot which had Bialkowski scampering across his goal to palm behind.

Millwall continued to take the second half to Town, Morison seeing a shot deflect wide on the hour after the latest in a succession of corners.

A minute later, Spence blocked O’Brien’s effort at the near post as the winger looked to turn in a cross from the left, then from the resultant flag-kick O’Brien’s near-post overhead kick flew just wide.

Town should have made it 4-2 with their first chance of the half, Garner getting in front of his man but heading over from Ward’s left-sided corner.

Millwall almost got back on terms in the 68th minute when Saville unleashed a powerful strike from distance which deflected off a Town defender and wrong-footed Bialkowski, who just did enough to take the sting out of it before diving on it before it could trickle over the line.

Moments later Garner was booked for an aerial clash with Byron Webster, then on 74 the home side swapped Meredith for Shane Ferguson, then a minute later switched Morison for Elliott and O’Brien for Fred Odyedinma, while Town replaced Waghorn with Danny Rowe.

The Blues had been under pressure for much of the half but had withstood everything thrown at them. However, with 10 minutes remaining the Lions equalised. A freekick from deep wasn’t dealt with and the ball dropped to sub Elliott at close range at the far post from where he made no mistake.

Town finally won it in the 88th minute. Elliott and Ward tangled as they battled for the ball on the Blues’ left following a corner, referee Linington somewhat harshly penalising the Millwall man and booking him.

Ward sent over the freekick and Spence rose highest to nod past Archer at the far post, the former West Ham man’s first goal for the Blues.

Wallace crashed a freekick from a couple of yards outside the area into the Town wall during five minutes of injury time and the Blues had to defend two more set pieces - Gregory heading a chance well wide after a corner - before referee Linington brought a game few will forget to an end, the home fans applauding their side as the Town supporters cheered theirs.

It was probably inevitable that the second half wouldn’t quite live up to the first. With Town having grabbed the lead at the end of the first period, the Lions took the game to the Blues after the bre, who repelled everything thrown at them - although not always entirely confidently - before Millwall grabbed their equaliser.

Town’s winner came against the run of play on the balance of the second half - a draw would probably have been a fair result - but was the type of set-piece goal which the Blues need to score, the sort that was their stock in trade during the play-off season.

Ultimately, the difference between the sides, neither of whom defended particularly well as the scoreline illustrates, while Town rarely kept the ball as well as they have in previous matches this season, was the better finishing from the Blues, who had fewer chances than their opponents but took most of them.

The win was Town’s fourth a row, the first time they have done that at the start of a season since the 1999/00 promotion campaign when they won their first five in all competitions. They last won four on the trot at any time in August 2015.

The result leaves them third in the division on goal difference, a terrific start to any campaign with fifth-bottom Brentford - who drew 2-2 at home to Bristol City this evening - visiting Portman Road on Saturday.

Mil""lwall: Archer, McLaughlin, Hutchinson, Webster, Meredith (Ferguson 74), Wallace, Saville, Williams, O’Brien (Onyedinma 75), Morison (c) (Elliott 75), Gregory. Unused: King, Craig, Thompson, Cooper.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Spence, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Ward, Waghorn (Rowe 75), Sears, McGoldrick, Garner. Unused: Crowe, Nydam, Kenlock, Morris, McDonnell. Referee: James Linington (Newport, Isle of Wight). Att: 11,819.

Photo: Action Images

dirtydingusmagee added 08:07 - Aug 16 great game [ only listened] cant say that wasn't entertaining. Well done lads and credit to McCarthy of whom I have long been a critic. very GOOD TO SEE US SCORING GOALS. It was disappointing to concede 3 but considering the team is suffering an injury/fitness crisis ,you cant knock an away win . Early days but very happy so far, and although promotion is the ultimate aim ,,i'll be hpy as long as we say above the budgies . HAPPY DAYS ,COYB .

3

grumpyoldman added 08:16 - Aug 16 Elizabeth I was there for the Newcastle match standing under the floodlights between the north & west stand, yes for you young whipper snappers the stands were not always given names. I went home happy after that match, but back then it was usually entertaining watching Ipswich all the time. With no Internet you actually had to talk face to face to fellow supporters. Does anybody think that millipede would be so pathetally rude if he spoke in the flesh.

6

Dog added 08:36 - Aug 16 Brilliant start to season and long may it continue. I have to admit that I was losing patience in him but always felt that if he was backed then things might be different. Long way to go and hopefully he will be backed to get defenders in - remember he said players would have to leave before more could arrive. For those who completely gave up on mick, they will of course trot out the defence needs sorting line. Well that has needed doing since we arrived back in championship. To get promoted, a team needs to concede fewer than 50 goals. Ideally less than 40 - town have not done that. Blueboy81 would probably do best to stop posting until town lose - what he/she/it is posting atm is just tosh. I wonder if Rangers have a spare defender....

1

northblue added 09:06 - Aug 16 Well done lads. For a team that is depleted through injuries they did well. No criticism from me.
3

blueboy1981 added 09:10 - Aug 16 ........ proof on here that this Club will never be 'united' - shameful as it is. Whatever happened to the 'RESPECT' word ? - obviously replaced by 'ABUSE'. Sad for many to be associated with such people.
1

beornioblue added 09:24 - Aug 16 oh my god shut up bickering and just enjoy the second away win n the bounce , bring on Brentford!!
10

rabbit added 09:40 - Aug 16 Firstly I am not an MM fan never have been prior to his arrival at PR, none the less he was in charge of a very attack minded Wolves when they were promoted. However the petty infantile bickering about who likes him and who doesn't is really quite tedious for what is basically a very good site. Lets face facts he could have played a more defensive side ie played Kenlock in a back 5 he could have even reverted to it in the second half but no he chose to stick with attack and won.....so those who keep banging on about defence being inadequate think again as Elizabeth says I can remember quite a few high scoring games when we had the likes of the great AH and KB playing centre defence, the majority of fans at any Football Club want entertaining football and I reckon 4 - 3 away is pretty damn exciting so enjoy it while we can.

3

KiwiTractor added 09:44 - Aug 16 Only 41 more points and we're safe! Awesome result, well done to all. IMO the lineup was forced on Mick due to the players out, rather than him going all gungho. So happy with Garner and Waghorn. Keep it going lads.
3

santiagomudez added 09:46 - Aug 16 Must now strengthen at the back. Although Spence scored the winning goal he's not good enough to play CB in a back 4 and Chambers still gets bullied by bigger opposition forwards. All the goals we conceded were poor and easily avoidable (how did he manage to slice that one into his own net?). Bring in a quality CB and then we will have Chambers, Smith, Webster, + 1. Spence can then play RB or CB when we play 5 at the back. Then we will have a right squad!!! COYB!!!

4

warktheline added 10:25 - Aug 16 Really don't understand such negativity! The few that have stood by McCarthy can continue too! The majority, like myself, that have screamed for change and investment have, thus far, witnessed to an extent, such demands met! It has, wouldn't all agree, the combination of fan demand, investment and tactical changes, enabled positive improvement?
12

jas0999 added 12:16 - Aug 16 A good win and clearly excellent entertainment. Now the trickier games start so will be interesting to see how we do. Also interesting to see how MM continues - hand forced to play attacking - and although a joy to watch will he continue? Or prefer his more negative play for a one nil? We desperately need to sign a centre half. Preferably on a permanent and not a free. Wag horn and Garner are proof that if you invest correctly, you reap the rewards.

10

blockb_steward added 12:17 - Aug 16 A great start to the season, the fixtures have been kind to ITFC - all winnable games but considering the injuries, definitely a great achievement by MM/TC and the team. I obviously love to see the Town win games but I am more pleased that we are again showing some passion and desire on the pitch - this will have a very positive effect in the stands and hopefully PR can become a more harmonious place once again. With some of the bigger teams struggling to find momentum (including the Budgies and Villa), this could be an interesting season. MM is a grumpy old devil but he is well respected in the game (with a fear factor for producing gritty and hard to beat teams) and I hope he continues to prove the doubters here wrong. If we can sort the defence out (and I'm sure he will) and continue to entertain the fans with more passionate displays of football rather than hoofball then the fans will come back. Oh and whilst I am making a list, (in a Kevin Keegan voice) 'I would love it if we beat them'...please oh please let's turn over them Budgies this year :)

3

Ferguson added 12:22 - Aug 16 SOMETHING HAS CHANGED PROFOUNDLY AT THIS CLUB OF OURS. WHATEVER THE CAUSE WELL DONE TO ALL Great game and a great result. Something to shout about and a side to be proud of. LETS ENJOY IT. LETS DO A HUDDERSFIELD .....LETS DO A LEICESTER ! COYB
3

Miles added 12:24 - Aug 16 Really can't understand some of the comments here. Fair play to blueboy1981 and co. I've probably been one of the few who have disagreed with you in the past. As I am entiteled too and as are you and everyone else. The criticism last season was completely justified and I think the more sensible Mick backers weren't actually disputing that they were just believing it would get better. As stated by many above, the defence were poor. We are limited with quality at the back at the moment so well done to Mick for getting it right tactically and going for it with his selections. Need reinforcements and to defend properly in the weeks to come but for now it's nice to sit after 4 games knowing you've won them all and every fan must be enjoying it right now. The sensible 'Pro Mick' fans of last season have so far been justified in what they have said as are every fan who came on here and voiced their anger towards the way our club was being run from top to bottom. What i can't stand is the idiotic comments when so called 'negative' fans give a more realistic view on the game. That's being said from someone who has fully supported Mick as you will! We all support the same team and are entitled to our own individual opinion and if you don't agree with it then fine but don't start abuse because of it. We don't want that at our club and never will!

12

jas0999 added 12:26 - Aug 16 Those slating Mick Haters etc - first, this type of attacking football is what we have been crying out for, after eighteen months of some simply atrocious stuff. Yes, the start to the season is excellent BUT there is a long way to go and it's only three games. As even TWTD pointed out Millwall and indeed Barnsley deserved something out of the games, so although great to win it could have been very different. It tends to even itself out over a season, so we may lose games we deserved something out of. Let's not forget that. What a shame it took folk walking away in their droves before Evans finally invested and Mick started to play a more attacking style. Still lots to do before all is forgiven in my opinion.

12

blueboy1981 added 13:08 - Aug 16 Phil - When are posts that include abusive words such as bell end, eejit, etc; to name but a few - going to be immediately removed from this forum ?? Use of such words should be totally unnecessary and not condoned as acceptable - otherwise the tone of this excellent facility will continuously lose credibility - and the use of such words will become ever more prevalent. Constructive posters will inevitably be lost - along with supporter credibility. I rest my case.

2

Dog added 13:24 - Aug 16 What case when you have just used them on a thread. Just support the team for once. Go on - I dare you.
0

BlueSmith94 added 13:41 - Aug 16 Listening to this on the radio I was loving it, end to end and exciting! Been wanting a game like that for ages!! Waghorn, Garner and McGoldrick have been brilliant! linking up so well! Defensively we were very suspect, but we are missing Smith and Webster. Although we conceded some poor goals, they can learn from that and get better! Aslong as we outscore the opposition I am happy! Great start to the season, credit to Mick and the players! COYB!

2

BlueArrow added 13:43 - Aug 16 Barnsley and Millwall might have deserved something from the games......BUT they got nothing COME ON YOU BLUUUEES
2

whosroundisitanyway added 13:56 - Aug 16 OMG You lot! Get over yourselves FFS! Can we talk about football???!!!
5

Gcon added 14:05 - Aug 16 We can only wish you would rest your case, Blueboy. Instead you relentlessly clutter these fine pages with your utter drivel. It's enough to drive anybody sane to referring to you as a bell end!
-6

Dog added 14:09 - Aug 16 My aunt rings bells. She doesn't like football though. That's all I got to say about that.
1

cat added 14:23 - Aug 16 God I love this site, was expecting the banter to be the main topics of conversations and entertainment! not the football. Which everway your looking at it, it's been awhile since we have had something to shout about, so whatever your agenda is - ENJOY!!. It might simply be the CASE of " being more DOG!! Lol
3

midastouch added 15:36 - Aug 16 All I've ever asked is for positive line ups and to put a team out to try and win each match. That's exactly what we got last night! You'll hear no argument from me just as long as the tactics remain positive and not negative. Attack is the best means of defence. When I first watched Waghorn on YouTube I thought hold on, he looks a lot better than I realised! Great to see him hitting the grand running. It's suddenly raining goals after a long famine. I went to the Barnsley home match last season and loved it, but after that my enthusiasm was soon dampened as the football just wasn't my cup of tea and so I stopped going. Obviously if this keeps up there's going to be a lot of converts coming back out of the woodwork! I honestly don't know what has happened at ITFC (especially after the Charlton as I thought after that OMG League 1 here we come!) but whatever it is, keep it coming please!!!!! :-)

1

whosroundisitanyway added 15:56 - Aug 16 Just enjoy what's happening, get your arses down to Portman Road on Saturday, sing your hearts out and make it continue. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!!!!
4

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls