Millwall 1-1 Stoke match reports

[Hooky]

Evening Standard web site.

On-loan Danny Dichio maintained his impressive goalscoring form to cancel out Clive Clarke's terrific long-range opener for Stoke as the battle of the division's in-form sides ended all square.

Millwall went into the match unbeaten in their last four, but the visitors came out showing exactly why they have taken 22 points from a possible 24 over the last two months.

Carl Asaba hit the woodwork after only 75 seconds, and just two minutes later they took the lead.

Clarke collected the ball on the left around 25 yards out and unleashed a shot which whizzed past Andy Marshall into the net.

Millwall took a little while to respond with Tim Cahill, back from suspension, firing their first effort wide after 11 minutes.

But following a quiet interlude, they drew level as the first half reached its midway point.

Dichio, playing the last game of his loan spell from West Brom, got on the end of a lovely Peter Sweeney cross from the left and headed his fifth goal in three matches.

The hosts gained the upper hand after their equaliser, although neither side was creating much, Sweeney and Dichio spurning rare chances in the remainder of the period, while Stoke striker Asaba was booked for dissent after he had fouled Darren Ward.

Five minutes into the second half he was joined by Millwall player-manager Dennis Wise for a foul on Clarke, who then tried for a second goal with a left-foot volley which he screwed wide.

Stoke enjoyed a good spell of pressure just after the hour-mark, Peter Hoekstra forcing Marshall into a save from his free-kick just outside the area.

The Lions could also have gone ahead but for a desperate Gifton Noel-Williams block which denied Dichio another goal.

Time was drawing to a close when Millwall striker Neil Harris connected with a Wise corner, but his shot was held by goalkeeper Ed de Goey, and at the other end Asaba blasted over to ensure the spoils were shared.



BTW this is a standard press agency report and was also in Sport First

[Hooky]

The Sunday Times - Football



February 08, 2004

Millwall 1 Stoke City 1



Danny Dichio continued his impressive goalscoring form for Millwall in what is due to be his last game for the club. Dichio’s one-month loan spell from West Bromwich ended with this game, but Millwall are hoping to keep the forward at the club. Clive Clarke gave in-form Stoke the lead with a 25-yard drive. Dichio scored his fifth goal in three matches when he headed in Peter Sweeney’s cross

Ray Wilkins, Millwall assistant manager: ‘We are trying to keep Daniele but finances are tight’



Tony Pulis, Stoke manager: ‘I’ll be happy when we have 54 points on the board’

Millwall: Marshall, Muscat, Lawrence, Ward, Livermore, Wise, Cahill, Roberts, Sweeney, Harris, Dichio

Stoke C: De Goey, Halls, Thomas, Williams, Clarke, Hoekstra, Svard, Russell, M Hall, Asaba, Noel-Williams

Referee: L Cable

Attendance: 9,034

[Hooky]

Pink footy website:

Millwall 1 - 1 Stoke

Millwall team sheet
Marshall, Ward, Muscat, Lawrence, Roberts (Ifill 61), Livermore (Ryan 90), Wise, Cahill, Sweeney (Elliott 84), Dichio, Harris. Subs: Gueret, Braniff.

Stoke team sheet
de Goey, Hall, Williams, Svard, Thomas, Clarke, Russell, Halls, Hoekstra, Noel-Williams, Asaba. Subs: Cutler, Wilkinson, Wilson, Commons, Greenacre.

Attendance: 9034

Millwall scorers and times: Dichio(23).

Stoke scorers and times: Clarke(4).

Danny Dichio scored his fifth goal in three games for Millwall. but it was not enough to see off a resilient Stoke outfit.

The on-loan striker once again stood out for his third and final game for the Lions, but despite seeing Clive Clarke's early strike cancelled out the visitors held on for a deserved point.

In an amazing start to the contest Potters forward Carl Asaba threatened an immediate breakthrough, but his swirling lob bounced agonisingly off the foot of the post.

That however proved merely a pretext to the third minute opener when captain Clarke found the net with a beautifully struck 25-yard effort.

Undeterred, the Lions gradually fought their way back into the tie and duly scored a leveller after 23 minutes.

Peter Sweeney, a constant threat down the left, provided a pinpoint cross to the penalty spot where Dichio coolly headed past Ed de Goey.

The home side pressed forward thereafter with Neil Harris and Dichio having chances to grab the lead, but both fired narrowly wide.

Both sides then spurned glorious chances in first-half injury-time. Andy Marshall saved well from Asaba, before the marauding Kevin Muscat fluffed his close-range finish over the bar.

The defences tightened up after the break and despite open periods of play, chances were at a premium.

In the 68th minute, City's Dutch winger Peter Hoekstra forced a full stretch diving save from Marshall with a 30-yard curling free-kick.

Five minutes later the Lions seemed to have found the net, but Dichio's header was acrobatically cleared off the line by John Halls.

Seemingly determined to end his spell at The Den on a high, Dichio almost secured the points late on, but from Dennis Wise's near post corner De Goey kept out his well-struck volley.

[Hooky]

millwall.openfootball.co.uk

By Joe Broadfoot, 7 February 2004

After a 1-1 home draw with fellow play-off contenders Stoke City, Millwall are still within touching distance of the top six positions.



Although Potters boss Tony Pulis claims he’ll be happy to get 54 points on the board, Stoke’s recent form would suggest their ambitions are rather loftier.

The visitors arrived at the Den with an enviable nine game unbeaten record, boasting seven victories along the way including away wins at West Ham, Watford, Burnley and Wimbledon.

However, Millwall also have been building up a head of steam as, since the arrival of Danny Dichio, the Lions’ results have been impressive.

No surprise then that the burly target man came to the rescue with an equaliser after Stoke had plundered an early lead.

The visitors took the game to Millwall, with Carl Asaba striking the upright with a chipped effort just seconds after kick off.

Perhaps that should have been a wake up call, but the Lions were still second best as Clive Clarke struck from 30 yards to put the Potters ahead after 3 minutes.

Player/boss Dennis Wise managed to cajole his charges into increasing their efforts, and helped set up the 22nd minute equaliser.

Wise’s ball to Peter Sweeney in space began the process, and the young winger’s exquisite curling cross with the outside of his foot in turn led to Dichio ably finishing - with his 5th Millwall goal from his three-match loan spell.

Once again Dichio’s formidable aerial prowess had saved the day for Millwall.

But Lions assistant boss Ray Wilkins insisted after the match that there is more than one string to Danny’s bow.

He said: “We’ve also been very impressed with his hold up play and he’s a very popular lad around the dressing room.

“I’ve known him since he was 15 or 16 years of age and that’s important these days, as you like to know what sort of characters you’re bringing to the club.”<br>
Wilkins also paid tribute to the opposition: “Although we didn’t play with much tempo and only sporadically, I’d like to give Stoke credit.

“Stoke worked hard as a unit. We were a bit jittery and sloppy at times.”<br>
Nonetheless Wilkins’ confidence in the player’s abilities is unshaken by the dropped points at home. He said: “There’s no reason why both us and Stoke shouldn’t both feature in the play-offs.”<br>
For his part, Pulis was relieved that Millwall had elected to put Paul Ifill on the bench rather than use him from the start. He said: “I was a bit surprised Ifill didn’t start as he can cause problems.”<br>
But Pulis was full of praise for the rest of Millwall’s side. “I rate Neil Harris. Wise and Andy Roberts are old stagers, while our midfielders are still learning the game.

“But I was most concerned with their free kicks, especially with bits flying off the likes of Tim Cahill, Darren Ward and Dichio.”<br>
Given the mutual admiration, perhaps a hard fought draw was the logical result and the consolation for both sides is neither play-off ambitions have been hindered one iota in what is proving to be an unpredictable division.
It’s also hard to predict who Millwall’s next opponents at the Den are this coming Saturday, as it could be Rotherham, Burnley or Telford - depending on the outcome of the Lions’ midweek FA Cup tie.

Conditions: Sunny, cold & windy.

Att: 9,034 (591)

1. STOKE – Asaba hits the crossbar and post with a chip over Marshall in the Millwall goal.

4. GOAL: STOKE – Noel-Williams chests the ball down to Clarke, who drives home from 30 yards.

12. MILLWALL – Dichio lobs the ball to the far post to Cahill, whose acrobatic overhead kick goes wide.

20. MILLWALL – Livermore’s deflected cross is headed wide by Dichio.

22. GOAL: MILLWALL – Wise feeds Sweeney, whose cross with the outside of the foot is met by the imposing head of Dichio. The keeper has no chance.

24. BOOKING: STOKE – Asaba (dissent).

25. MILLWALL – Harris fires a low effort just wide of the far post from an acute angle.

32. MILLWALL – Dichio ferociously volleys wide from long range, after being fed by Muscat.

41. MILLWALL – Muscat finds Harris, who plays a great ball to Dichio. The big striker finds Sweeney. The young winger crosses to the back stick where Dichio heads downwards but wide.

45. STOKE – Asaba capitalises on a Muscat mistake, shooting low. But Marshall makes a good double save, blocking the follow up to the initial parry also.

45 + 3. MILLWALL – At an acute angle, Muscat skips clear of the Stoke defence after receiving from Roberts, but put the ball over the crossbar from 4 yards with just the keeper to beat.

H-T: 1-1

47. MILLWALL – Dichio hits the target with a weak header following a Wise cross.

51. BOOKING: MILLWALL – Wise (dangerous play, presumably – although didn’t connect with challenge!)

56. STOKE – Clarke volleys well wide.

57. MILLWALL – Sweeney’s cross is pushed out by De Goey with Dichio lurking dangerously hoping to pounce.

61. MILLWALL – Harris’ cross-cum-shot flies wide.

61. SUB: MILLWALL – Ifill replaces Roberts.

63. MILLWALL – Cahill’s long ranger goes well wide of target.

66. STOKE – Clarke’s shot from Hoekstra’s corner is held.

67. BOOKING: MILLWALL – Muscat (foul – a bit harsh).

68. STOKE – Marshall makes a diving save to deny Hoekstra.

68. STOKE – Russell scoops wide after being set up by Halls.

70. MILLWALL – Sweeney emerges through a tangle of players but is shoulder-charged off the ball by Hoekstra in the box. Appeals for a penalty fall on deaf ears.

73. MILLWALL – Muscat’s free kick is headed on by Dichio towards Ward, but before the ball can cross the line it is hacked away by Halls.

77. STOKE – Halls slices well wide.

80 STOKE – Clarke beats Muscat and crosses low, but Ward makes a miraculous clearance.

84. MILLWALL – Elliott replaces Sweeney.

86. MILLWALL – Dichio’s near post volley from Wise’s corner is pushed round the post.

88. SUB: MILLWALL – Ryan replaces the injured Livermore.

90 + 3. Lawrence’s free kick finds Ifill, who volleys goalwards. His effort is blocked in a crowded goalmouth.

90 + 4. BOOKING: MILLWALL – Cahill (dissent).

RATINGS

Marshall 7 – Decent home debut. Distributed well generally and pulled off a couple of very good saves.

Muscat 7 – Great on the overlap, tackled brilliantly too, but got caught out on one occasion by Asaba and was lucky that Marshall saved his blushes.

Lawrence 7 – Battled hard as ever, but took a risk by playing the offside trap late on.

Ward 7 – Another solid game marred only by the fact that Asaba was in his zone, when Stoke hit the post early on.
Livermore 8 – Tackled well and played well apart from the odd poor pass.

Wise 7 – Excellent first half, especially after Millwall fell behind. Faded a bit after the break.

Roberts 6 – Some of his passing was uncharacteristically sloppy, but still managed to protect the back four quite well.

Cahill 7 – Struggled to make a real impact on the game, but passed very well when he had the ball.

Sweeney 7 – Set up Millwall’s goal and also delivered some other dangerous crosses. Stoke doubled and tripled up on him to negate the threat he presented.

Harris 6 – Worked hard but found it difficult to contribute as much as normal.

Dichio 7 – Scored a powerful header and went close on a number of other occasions.

Subs:

Ifill 6 – Injected plenty of enthusiasm and pace into the team initially, but faded thereafter.

Elliott 6 – Didn’t have very long to impress.

[Hooky]

Sporting Life

LIONS WILL BATTLE TO KEEP DICHIO
Millwall and Stoke were forced to share the Nationwide Division One points with a 1-1 draw at The Den.

The game had threatened to be tight with only a point separating the teams in the league before kick-off.

An early goal from Stoke captain Clive Clarke was cancelled out by a fifth goal in three games from Daniele Dichio, who has now come to the end of a one-month loan deal from West Brom.

Millwall assistant boss Ray Wilkins said: "We're trying to keep Daniele and the chairman is working on it but finances are tight.

"He's a great character and has exceptional ability but if he goes we will just have to wish him well."

Dichio had levelled with a header but Millwall were shocked early on when Sebastian Svard headed on to the post.

In the third minute Stoke opened the scoring after a fantastic 25-yard drive from Clarke which flew into the top corner past a despairing Andy Marshall.

But Millwall fought back and found an equaliser 20 minutes later.

An excellent run and pinpoint cross from winger Peter Sweeney found Dichio storming into the penalty box unmarked to head home.

Either side could have found a second goal before the break.

A mistake from Kevin Muscat let in Stoke's Carl Asaba and his effort produced an outstanding double save from Marsh.

Muscat then came close at the other end but somehow managed to fire over from three yards out.

Millwall pinned Stoke back after the break with a pattern of crosses to Dichio developing.

The visitors struggled to get out of their own half but made progress in the 64th minute when unconventional Millwall defending led to a free-kick.

Clarke's resulting shot was deflected wide but after the kick the game opened up.

Millwall came closest to winning when Dichio's header had to be cleared off the line by John Halls.

Dichio again came close four minutes from time but his close range header forced an excellent save from Ed De Goey.

Wilkins said: "We had a decent first half but we should have made more of a concerted effort to get a winner.

"They worked hard as a unit but we looked a bit jittery at times.

"There's no reason why we shouldn't figure in the play-offs.

"It's a bit of a mish-mash at the moment but we're still in there."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "I thought we had the best of the chances but we're pleased with the way it went.

"It's always difficult coming to The Den. They have a lot of good, experienced players.

"They put a lot of passes in to Dichio but that was the only real worry.

"I didn't think they would break us down.

"There's a lot of quality in the league and we've had a good run but we still need one or two players.

"I'll just be happy when we have 54 points on the board."