MATCH OF THE DAY: Millwall 2, Leeds 1
Mob target Ankeren again
LEEDS lost the country's last unbeaten record but Millwall are sweating on another FA probe after their fans hurled objects on to the pitch.
Gary Alexander headed the winner seven minutes from time after Neil Harris had put the Lions ahead and Patrick Kisnorbo levelled.
But Millwall face an FA rap after United keeper Casper Ankergren appeared to have a small object thrown at him, while home fans also threw two bottles on to the pitch.
Ankergren, also confronted on the pitch by Millwall fans in May, yesterday picked up something seemingly thrown at him when collecting the ball in front of Lions fans after 22 minutes.
Millwall boss Kenny Jackett said: "Of course, that's not something we want at the club."
United manager Simon Grayson said: "I didn't see it. But it was the sort of game you want to play in, with lots of noise and rivalry.
"We're delighted, in a way, to have only our first defeat at this stage. Now we need to try to embark on another 12-game run.
"We were the only unbeaten team in the country and we have a group of players who will respond to adversity."
Lions officials confirmed that two bottles were also thrown on to the pitch.
The incidents were the last thing the club needed ahead of an FA hearing into charges over violence at the Carling Cup clash at West Ham in August. But, on the pitch, it was Millwall's day and Jackett insisted his mid-table side deserved the victory.
He said: "The first half was very even.
"Then Steve Morison had a chance, as did Tony Craig and Danny Schofield.
"We needed to score while we were on top and Gary did just that. Now we'll try to turn this into a run."
Lions favourite Harris nodded home his 10th goal of the season after four minutes, latching on to the impressive Chris Hackett's free-kick.
But United were level on 12 minutes when Kisnorbo lashed home his first United goal, after Jack Smith blocked a goalbound header.
Millwall keeper David Forde then parried Sam Vokes' close-range effort before Hackett shot wide for the Londoners.
The Lions regained control after the break and Morison should have done better with a free header in front of goal.
Centre-back Craig had another great chance but made a hash of a close-range header.
Highly-rated striker Jermaine Beckford then fluffed his lines for Leeds, racing round keeper Forde before slicing hopelessly wide.
Schofield spooned wide for Millwall before delivering the cross which Alexander headed expertly home.
Leeds rallied and defender Paul Robinson cleared Jonathan Howson's effort before Tresor Kandol hit the bar when he should have scored as the Lions held on.
This article has 2 comments
Yes there were a couple of empty plastic bottles thrown onto the pitch by home fans but not the leeds goalkeeper,who may i say in past games between us has incited lions fans with gestures.Yet from the away end coins were thrown at the celebrating millwall players when we scored and then in the second half a seat was thrown at lions keeper david forde,so i would suggest you get your facts correct instead of blaming millwall fans all the time.A totally inept report yet again from notw.
By john murnane. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:05 AM.
Same old news of the world sse you got you fact right again
all ways trying to put Millwall down
you say Lions officials confirmed that two bottles were also thrown on to the pitch. not denying the fact but if you were there you would have see that the bottles were thrown in a area where no players were standing, when Millwall scored there 2nd goal so to me seems like some one got carried away celebrating.
The second bottle was thrown where the millwall players were celebrating so again to me looks like it came from some one over celebrating again, what millwall fan would aim a bottle at there own players?
I see no mention of the Seat that landed near the Millwall goal Keeper from the Leeds end, and also the coins that the stewards were picking up after Neil Harris scored, again from the Leed end.
Ok so throwing objects on to the pitch is wrong, but not all Millwall fans are mind less thugs.
"Ankergren, also confronted on the pitch by Millwall fans in May, yesterday picked up something seemingly thrown at him when collecting the ball in front of Lions fans after 22 minutes"
Where was this, after 22 minutes the Leeds Keeper was standing in front of the Leeds fans so either it was a very long throw from a Millwall on the side of the pitch, or he was picking up one of the objects the leeds fans, that were thrown at Neil Harris.
Before you go reporting rubbish get your facts right, you probabaly didn't have anyone inside the ground during the game and are just reporting what some one told you.
If you were their you what have reported that it was a bery entertaining game, which past with out any major incident.
By . Posted October 25 2009 at 9:07 AM.