SOBS: MILLWALL

As spring sprung across the nation, the Lads welcomed the Lions (that is them, isn't it?) to Wearside on a dull, showery, breezy, and chilly afternoon and took the lead in a tetchy first half thanks to Hyoooooom's volley on the end of a training ground move on twenty minutes. After that, we made hard work of the win, surprise penalty taker O9's weak effort meant the comfort didn't arrive, but a win's a win for all that.

Away from the pitch, we'd bidden a final "see yer, marra" to "King" Arthur Dixon of the Durham bus at one of the red and whitest services I've seen. Our bus to away games won't be the same.

Back towards the pitch, Cirkin's mam still won't let him play against Millwall for fear the keeper will deck him again, Hume ignored his dodgy hip, and we wondered if Luke would slot seamlessly in at left back, and if so, who would replace him in the centre? In midfield, the rest afforded by the international break to our youngsters actually saw Rigg and Bellingham play five games between them. A change had better be as good as a rest! It also gave me the chance to get my matchday boots to the cobblers to have them in top condition for the run-in.

After last night's win for Sheffield over Cov, we were hoping for a Bristol win at Burnley (I know, I know) in an attempt to get the Sky Blue pests out of the playoffs. What we really hoped for was a storming performance from us to build impetus - while the playoffs are seemingly certain, barring some sort of calamity that only... Sunderland could produce, we want to fly rather than drift into them. Which is what we decided while sitting upstairs at the front of our oversized bus. More like a theme park ride than a bus trip.

Anyway, by the time we in the Isis had picked the team, the actual team was announced:

Patterson

Browne O'Nien Mepham Hume

Neil (c) Bellingham Rigg

Roberts Isidor Mundle

... and a bench of Moore, Mayenda, Middlemas, Aleksic, Bainbridge, Jones, Watson, Anderson, and Lavery. A lot of youth and inexperience there!

We faced south, and it kicked off - to Patto, when their giant keeper was still doing his stretches. Have a shot, Dan! Never mind, within a minute we'd had a Bellingham shot saved, the follow-up blocked, and a header saved. A few minutes later Bellingham took a clever backheel and found Roberts, who cut inside, as he does, and saw his shot deflected for a corner on the left. Mundle then win one on the right, which lead to another on the left.

A spell of Millwall possession followed, in which Aaron Connolly (picked ahead of their top scorer for windy-up reasons) and former SAFC youth Coburn got involved. The latter spent most of the half battering our defenders, but we stood strong as Connolly backed this up by falling about and pulling shirts. He must have upset someone during his time with us, as we gave him a few hefty clatters. An early yellow for Jobe seemed a bit harsh, but it was the first of several cards that were waved. We broke up that period of Millwall sort of dominance with a corner in 20, which was taken short and got back to Roberts, who picked out Hume at the back post and boom! Volleyed in at the keeper's near post. The celebrations hinted at a training ground routine that had paid off as the crowd erupted. Nice one, Trai.

Connolly then won a free by falling over a non-existent leg, and taking it himself. Way over. Ha.

The wind has by then become a major factor, with a couple of red bags getting involved in play. Our history of poor throw-ins persisted, forcing Mepham into a challenge that brought a card. Rigg took a bang that needed treatment, then Mundle shot across and wide before we had a penalty shout that was ignored. The visitors then got their first effort on target, but to be honest I could have jogged down from row 35 and stopped it. The three added minutes were mostly Millwall, but they didn't really threaten despite having the for so long.

We were treated to a bit of The Associates during the break, bringing back memories of nightshift music at work, then we were off again, with no changes. Mundle produced the first action with a cross that evaded everyone, then Mepham took a bang on the head. Roberts, who'd been junking about like a mad thing all afternoon, set up Bellingham but the played shot was blocked, and when we got it back across Isidor's header (yes, Isidor's) brought a top save from the lanky keeper. Another corner,which came straight over and out.

Ten minutes in, something in the East stand necessitated a stoppage, after which the visitors got hold of the ball a bit more. We tried some intricate stuff - perhaps too intricate - which didn't quite come off. We spent a good period almost exclusively in their half but our shots got blocked.

A Millwall substitute helped win their first corner on 65, which we cleared and Issy was away, but was booked for a challenge that basically kept him the ball in halfway. Didn't agree with that one. Patto collected a header with twenty to go that should really have been put wide of him, then their number 24 was booked for fouling Bellingham, who he'd been glued up all afternoon. A couple of rugby tackles on our forwards were ignored as well as a couple of hopeful penalty shouts. Roberts had another shot blocked then, after a Millwall attack we burst forward and Mundle twazzled into the box and had his legs taken away. No chance of denying that penalty, but Mundle looked less than pleased when Luke placed it on the spot. Five to go, let's get it sealed.

Nope. After what seemed like an age, the weak shot was saved and the scramble came to nothing. On came Watson and Mayenda for Mundle and Isidor, and in the five added there was time for Watson to get booked. Some hefty clearances kept Patto's goal intact and we breathed a massive sigh of relief at the win.

Man of the Match? Hume's goal and general play have him in contention, as does Bellingham's best game in a while. Roberts for me, though.

Party Fears Two at halftime. Memories of nightshift.