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Ipswich Town 2-2 Millwall - Match Report
Monday, 2nd Apr 2018 17:33

Town prevented Championship form side Millwall from recording a club record seventh successive away Football League win as an entertaining end-to-end clash ended 2-2. Jake Cooper gave the visitors the lead in the 27th minute, then after the break the previously goalshy Blues turned things around in two minutes on 52 and 54 via what looked to be a Cooper own goal, although officially credited to Martyn Waghorn, who definitely grabbed the second, but George Saville levelled on the hour and the Lions had a number of chances to win it late on but were thwarted by Bartosz Bialkowski.

Mustapha Carayol, Bersant Celina, Stephen Gleeson and Myles Kenlock returned to the Blues’ starting line-up with Town lining up in a 3-4-3 system.

Jonas Knudsen replaced Cameron Carter-Vickers, who dropped to the bench, in the back three with Adam Webster moving to the right.

Kenlock was the left wing-back with Jordan Spence on the right and Cole Skuse in the centre of midfield with Gleeson. Celina and Carayol were up front with Waghorn.

Millwall, who are unchanged from Friday's 2-0 home victory over Nottingham Forest, included former Blues loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe on the bench.

After a minute’s applause for former coach and manager Bobby Ferguson and ex-player Colin Harper, who both died last week, Town started brightly and felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the third minute when Waghorn was shoved over in the area by Cooper.

It looked far more of a penalty than the one Birmingham were given on Saturday but referee Stephen Martin waved away the protests.

In the 10th minute a cross-field ball from Webster from the right found Waghorn at the far post but Jordan Archer twice saved from close range and the ball cannoned behind off the Town striker.

Millwall threatened for the first time in the 12th minute when Lee Gregory got a loose ball under control in the area and hit a shot which deflected wide off a Town player.

But the Blues had played some good stuff in the early stages, keeping the ball far better than in most recent games, and a minute later Celina fed Skuse on the right of the box. The midfielder cut across but Cooper bundled behind.

Just after the quarter of an hour mark Bialkowski twice found himself in trouble as he looked to kick.

First Chambers over-hit a backpass which the Polish international was able to scamper back and clear. Then, moments later, the Blues keeper dallied on the ball and allowed Steve Morison to dispossess him before grabbing it. The Millwall skipper tried to kick it out of his hands and was penalised by referee Martin.

Carayol came within a couple of inches of a brilliant first home goal for the Blues in the 24th minute, cutting in from the left before smashing a powerful shot just over the bar.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 27th minute. Following a freekick which had been cleared, Ben Marshall crossed from the left and Jake Cooper stepped back off his man to nod a header past Bialkowski.


Two minutes after going behind Waghorn hit a low freekick from the right round the Millwall wall but too far in front of a number of on-rushing Town players and keeper Archer was able to claim.

The Lions should have doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Gregory crossed low from the right to the far post but George Saville was unable to keep the ball down as he slid in.

Millwall had been firmly in control having gone in front and a minute later Gregory crossed from the left and Morison flicked his header across the face and wide. Neither side created another opportunity before referee Martin brought the half to a close.

Town had started well with attacking trio Waghorn, Carayol and Celina presenting a threat. The Blues had looked the more likely scorers until Millwall went in front having looked dangerous from earlier set pieces.

The Lions, looking for a club record seventh successive Football League away win, took charge from there and had chances to extend their lead with the Blues not threatening to get on terms.

Soon-to-be-departing Blues boss Mick McCarthy handed 18-year-old striker Ben Folami his Championship debut at the start of the second half with Kenlock making way. The Australian’s only previous senior match was the Carabao Cup match at Crystal Palace in August.

Spence hit the half’s first shot not too far wide two minutes after the restart, then two minutes later Folami made a strong run forward before feeding Celina on the left but Knudsen’s eventual cross was behind Carayol.

Town had started the second period as strongly as they had begun the first and in the 52nd minute they levelled.

Skuse’s shot was saved by Archer and fell to Folami eight yards out but the sub scuffed his effort. Waghorn slid in as the keeper tried to claim, the ball bouncing up and hitting Cooper’s arm with the luckless defender then appearing to inadvertently divert it over his own line as he fell.

And two minutes later the Blues, who hadn’t scored in their previous four games anywhere and their last five matches at home - a total of 525 minutes without a home goal - netted again.

Waghorn read a poor backpass from Cooper - who had been involved in all three goals and the early penalty incident - and took it wide of the advancing Archer before slipping his 14th goal of the season - or 13th if he isn't awarded the earlier goal - into the net.

But Town’s lead lasted only six minutes. Bialkowski palmed a Jed Wallace cross from the right away from Gregory but it landed at Saville’s feet and the Northern Ireland international smashed a low shot past the Blues keeper and into the corner of the net.

Carayol was booked for a foul on 61 and was then replaced by Grant Ward three minutes later.

What had developed into an exciting game was held up just before the 70th minute as Skuse’s head was bandaged. The midfielder made way for Luke Hyam on 76.

Two minutes later Gregory blazed well wide when he should have scored after exchanging passes with Mahlon Romeo on the right and breaking into the box in the clear. On 79 the Lions made a double change, Morison and Marshall making way for Tom Ellliott and Aiden O’Brien.

A minute later Spence was yellow-carded for a foul, then Gleeson joined him in the book, also for a foul, on 82.

Two minutes later Chambers volleyed Hyam’s cross from the right wide, then on 86 Millwall almost won it.

Bialkowski did superbly to block from Gregory when through. The loose ball fell to O’Brien, who struck a powerful low shot which struck the post. Millwall quickly regained the ball and Elliott headed Romeo’s cross over.

The game was an open end-to-end free-for-all in the final minutes with Knudsen crossing behind a number of Town players in one box before Chambers intercepted a Millwall attack at the other before taking the ball forward and, after it was returned to him, sending in a cross which Archer claimed.

Another brilliant Bialkowski save stopped Millwall from winning it in the final scheduled minute, the Pole getting down sharply to his left to stop from Romeo, then soon after the board had indicated five minutes O’Brien scraped a poor effort wide when in acres of space on the left of the Town box.

Millwall, who had had a day’s longer rest following the previous fixtures, continued to look the more likely winners in added-on time, during which Waghorn was booked for a foul, Bialkowski saving from Jed Wallace. Knudsen blocked Elliott’s subsequent shot and from the resultant corner Saville headed wide.

In the final moments Wallace smashed a shot over before referee Martin brought to a close one of this season’s most entertaining afternoons at Portman Road.

Town, who were warmly applauded off by their fans at the end, started the second half very positively and deserved to go in front.

However, Millwall showed good spirit to get back on terms and in the end looked the more likely winners and will feel they had enough chances to have claimed all three points.

But that would have been harsh on the Blues who were worthy of taking something from the match for the way they came back after the break.

In some ways it was a taste of what might have been. Had Town put in more similarly entertaining performances this season manager McCarthy might not have become public enemy number one and on his way out of the club in the summer. Equally, however, the Blues' more open approach might well have led to an eighth home league defeat of the campaign.

Second-half debutant Folami will be pleased with his debut and did more than enough to be given more time for the first team in the season's remaining weeks.

The result sees the Blues stay 13th - now a point and a place ahead of Norwich who lost 4-1 at QPR - with six games remaining, while Millwall stay eighth a point off the top six.

Town: Bialkowski, Webster, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Spence, Skuse (Hyam 76), Gleeson, Kenlock (Folami 46), Celina, Carayol (Ward 64), Waghorn. Unused: M Crowe, Connolly, Sears, Carter-Vickers.

Millwall: Archer, Meredith, Hutchinson, Williams, Gregory (Onyedinma 90), Romeo, Wallace, Morison (c) (Elliott 79), Saville, Cooper, Marshall (O’Brien 79). Unused: Martin, Tunnicliffe, Cahill, Shackell. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire). Att: 16,010 (Millwall 1,982).


Photo: TWTD



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prebsa added 17:38 - Apr 2
Finally we score at home!

First 15/20 minutes was decent then they scored and we gave up. People can't say the players gave everything for Mick at the of the first half because it was just awful to watch.

Second half Folami came on and made a change. He ran hard and challenged and helped bring the team forward which was great. That then gave Waghorn the ability to do more too! The second half was much more entertaining and that is exactly what the numskuls have been screaming out for!

Defending wise we are really poor, Chambers is not even good enough for league 1. He gave the ball away nearly every time and just lumps it at every opertunity. Not sure why we brought Hyam on either another that is not good enough but let's just hope that is because of the amount of injuries we have in the middle.

Looking forward to mick leaving hopeful a load of his undropables leaving with him and starting to finally play some more attacking and entertaining football!
21

skankerman added 17:39 - Apr 2
Well done team still time to finish the season on a high
4

Blue_Moses added 17:44 - Apr 2
For 45 minutes we actually tried to attack/win. It wasn't pretty but that's all we ask for. Not long to go.
13

dukey44 added 17:48 - Apr 2
Sorry but isn't it amazing what our team can do when they are allowed to play football? 👋 👋 mick..... on wards and on to playing football again !!
13

blrmy added 17:48 - Apr 2
Came away feeling entertained, especially the last mad 15 minutes. That's all I ask for. Adding Folami up front made a difference. Credit to Millwall for going for the win, and some bizarre defending (and Bart pulling off saves) at the end!
21

TractorBeezer added 17:51 - Apr 2
That's more like it. We set up 3-4-3 first half reverting to 4-4-2 in the second. It left us stretched at the back at times but was well compensated by much more attacking intent and possession. What a difference. I liked the look of Folami. Waggy had a blinder as did Bart. More of this please!
22

blue75 added 17:53 - Apr 2
Well I do believe I was entertained first 15/20 mins we looked ok bit shakey but ok then Millwall went up a gear you could sense a goal coming once it did I feared we'd take a hiding heads dropped and it was a struggle. Then we see Folami warming up at halftime to come on an early substitution and a change of tactics was the new manager in the stands as good old you won't tell me what to do McCarthy hasn't made changes like that in all his time here. Then we take the game to Millwall and end up 2-1 up credit to Millwall they pressed but so did we no sitting back we were looking for the win something we haven't seen since the play off season!! Such a shame that McCarthy had to leave until today to do want the fans want be entertained had he done this for the last 2 seasons he'd have been begged to sign that new contract. I've not changed my mind he's still gotta go. But today I've gone home happy and with the prospect of Folami playing next season like he did today I won't be careful what I wish for!!!
20

poldark added 17:55 - Apr 2
Told you Mick play the kids and fans will be on your side Folami excellent played some great football [ notice the word FOOTBALL Mick ]
Problem is the defence Chambers ,Knudson and Spence were awful so should be kicked out.
The rest battled well and entertained us just leave McCarthy now and let a real manager in
15

Wooly added 17:56 - Apr 2
A very entertaining game and can't help but disagree with a number of comments made above. With limited resources Mick has done a very good job in my eyes and we really need to be careful what we wish for by replacing him. Looking at those that have been linked I really worry about next season!!!

Thank you Mick, from a fan that appreciates exactly what you have given us.
-18

baxter7 added 17:59 - Apr 2
See what happens mcarthy when you attack instead of your usual defensive crap a good game of football well done to Millwall for going for it even with a small budget
23

StochesStotasBlewe added 18:00 - Apr 2
Enjoyed the game today, 2 teams attacking, some woeful defending, 2 fantastic saves from Bart near the end earned us a point which we just about deserved. Skuse was excellent today, maybe the shackles were loosened a bit, all in all came away from PR feeling i had at least been entertained for the first time since we beat Forest 4 2 back in November.
19

TimmyH added 18:04 - Apr 2
Shame we can't play Millwall every week and then the supporters can go home feeling their hard earned money hasn't been wasted.

Another game down until McCarthy goes...roll on the summer and hopefully a new horizon.
15

muccletonjoe added 18:05 - Apr 2
Mick needs one or two of these before he goes. At least we shall be replacing him with a young manager it seems. Cross off Pardew McLaren and megson on the candidates list.
5

martin587 added 18:06 - Apr 2
Once again,Thank you Bart.Without you we would have been out of sight.It was good to see some fight and passion.Well done martyn,two welcome goals.very impressed with Ben,good promising first game and looks like one for the future.
Nothing much more to add except,well done Lads for an entertaining performance.👍
16

ChopraHasGone added 18:09 - Apr 2
Wooly that's got to be a wind up surely ! Yawns at 'Careful what you wish for' such a dull & dismal statement
!
17

cfmoses added 18:15 - Apr 2
At last one of our youngsters given more than a late substitution. At last some attacking intent and at last some entertainment. At last we get to see how poor Spence Chambers and Knudsen are at defending when they don't have the rest of the team helping them. Just watched Brett Pitman score his 20th goal at Fratton Park and of course dear old Jack at Peterborough is now into the thirties. 50 plus goals in the tier below us from ex Town players....how must “no goals Freddie” feel! Anyway, give the Aussie a start at Brentford next weekend....he deserves it.
10

StowTractorBoy added 18:16 - Apr 2
Much better today although it could easily have gone Millwalls way in the end but for some excellent keeping by Bart. Why oh why can't this Club find a decent right back as again Spence was in dreamland half the time. He was constantly being caught up field and in no hurry to get back. The guy is simply not good enough at this level. The defence as a whole looked a little shaky but cannot complain as it was a thoroughly entertaining match with a good atmosphere. If only todays philosophy had been in evidence before now. Finally an excellent performance by Folami and the lad looks a very good prospect.
11

Grumpyoldgit added 18:17 - Apr 2
How refreshing to see a youngster come on at half time. The crowd respond,the team get a lift and lo and behold we score a couple of goals. We could easily have lost that game today but for Bart but hey we gave it a go. Well done Town
11

therein61 added 18:18 - Apr 2
We score 2 Mick gets the point he wanted at kick off, at least we have shown some endeavour for a change even Skuse went over the half way line but as usual couldn't get back(he's slower than the great Dougie ever was) probably due to a dizzy spell!! at times today we played some decent football but seemed very nervous this is down to the negativity that has been instilled into them by one man only(can't blame Marcus for the way the team is sent out to play)and thank god he is going!! with hope a new brush will give the talent we have in the building(and we have if they are given their heads) the impetus to play to their strengths and enjoy taking the game to the opposition(unlike so many games this season home and away that players on the field are left shaking their heads at tactical & sub changes made by the greatest manager on this earth he is deluded if he thinks he has the full support of the dressing room(that's 4&8 rewarded with fat new contracts) ) and give we long suffering fans something to talk about at work and play and in retirement talking over the fence, see you next season with W.B.A Mick
10

blueboy1981 added 18:22 - Apr 2
Well the emphasis is well and truly on the players now to earn their corn, and impress, because favouritism is now going to be out the door with McCarthy.

We have a very good squad of players here, not forgetting the youngsters, as proved today with Folami - all we need is the right Manager to capitalise, make the most of them, and move us in the RIGHT direction again.

Anyone who is still of the opinion that McCarthy should still be with us after this season , or even now, are deluded, or haven't a clue - in some cases - BOTH.
16

runaround added 18:23 - Apr 2
An entertaining game for once & that as a paying spectator is all you can ask for, real end to end stuff. Football like that on a regular basis will win fans back & so much better than the turgid football Mick has set us up to play as late
14

blueboy1981 added 18:24 - Apr 2
....... rest assured there will be NO shortage of Managers applying for the position at this Club.

ONWARDS, UPWARDS, and FORWARD. This is IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB. Make no mistake.
13

nineteenseventyeight added 18:30 - Apr 2
We kept 3 up front when defending a corner.....at last! Chambers loved by many fans and also loved by visiting teams!
4

ChrisFelix added 18:32 - Apr 2
Where was Spence when millwall scored their second goal
1

Cheshire_Blue added 18:37 - Apr 2
Well said Woolly, spot on. A ray of light in the darkness.
-3


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