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| Home | 1987/88 | Previous | Next |
| Littlewoods Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg: Millwall v QPR Away |
| Horne Injury Doubt |
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TEENAGE keeper Brian Horne is Millwall's main injury worry as they prepare for tomorrow night's Littlewoods Cup tie against First Division leaders Queens Park Rangers. Horne was hurt during Saturday's 2-1 victory over Sheffield United and the Lions reigning player-of-the-year was back at the Den on Sunday for treatment. "Brian was hurt when one of their players came through very late," explained manager John Docherty. "It was a nasty challenge and Brian hobbled through the rest of the match but it is too early to say whether it will rule him out. "It is an attractive match for the player and for the fans and hopefully they will get behind us like they did at Mancherster City and Sheffield." In fact it is the first of two attractive cup ties for Millwall who have drawn First Division West Ham United in the opening round of the new Simod Cup. Saturday 's victory over Sheffield left the Lions tucked in nicely in eight position and they will be looking to consolidate on their encouraging start when they return to Second Division action against Ron Atkinson's West Brom at the weekend. |
| KEEPER SANSOME FOR RECALL |
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KEEPER Paul Sansome is waiting for a dramatic recall to the Millwall side for tonight's Littlewoods Cup dash with First Division leaders QPR, writes BILL PIERCE. Long-serving Sansome has been out of the reckoning because of the outstanding talent of 19-year-old Brian Horne. But Horne suffered severe bruising in Millwall's 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Saturday and Sansome is ready to step up for his first senior game of the season. Millwall boss John Docherty says: "I'm lucky to have two top class keepers on the books. Paul is the unlucky one, but his attitude has been first class and I have full confidence in him." If Sansome plays, he can expect a stern test from Rangers who aim to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at Oxford on Saturday. Rangers Manager Jim Smith keeps faith with an unchanged side. |
| Test of character for Rangers |
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by Michael Hart QUEEN 'S PARK RANGERS manager Jim Smith its to use tonight's Littlewoods Cup match against London rivals Millwall-to restore confidence in Rangers' Championship quest. The League leaders, beaten for the first time last Saturday, face a Millwall side who will be among the Second Division promotion contenders at the end of the season. "This will be a very good test of the character and resilience of my team," said Smith. "We are obviously going to suffer setbacks during the course of the season and the best sides are those that can overcome them-quickly. "It's up to us to bounce back so that we restore confidence in time for Saturday's League game against Luton." Despite the 2-0 defeat at Oxford, Smith retains an unchanged side for the fifth consecutive match. Nicky Coleman, who played his first game of the season in Millwall's win at Sheffield! I United last Saturday, should retain his place in the side tonight. The big worry for manager John Docherty concerns goal keeper Brian Horne, who has a bruised leg. If unfit his place will go to Paul Sansome. |
| Rangers survive their first ordeal by terror |
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QUEEN'S Park Rangers came through smoke, police on the pitch and an intimidating wall of noise clutching a fragile lead last night. If Rangers were unnerved by Millwall's volcanic support at Loftus Road the prospect of the return leg back at the Den is enough to make them fear for their Littlewoods Cup lives, especially after conceeding a late goal to Alan Walker. Such vociferous backing undoubtedly helped Millwall match the First Division leaders for long periods, but it presented a frightening all round atmosphere which saw home followers deserting in their droves well before the end. Millwall fans rioted at Luton two years ago and precipitated that club's ban on away support. Last night they filled one end of the ground and at half-time spread through the main stand scattering home supporters and throwing punches. The second half was delayed while order was restored And coins And debris cleared away. Visiting manager John Doherty had only praise for his fans. The public were absolutely magnificent for us he said. |
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Rangers manager Jim Smith joked: "I'm going to get Michael Caine for the second leg to combat the Zulus. It sounded as though there were 100,000 of them in the ground. It was intimidating but they didn't half get behind their team when they were 2-0 down." Rangers surfaced in the 32nd minute when Gary Bannister gave them an undeserved lead with his sixth goal of the season. Their second goal, from Alan McDonald in the 65th minute, looked to have taken them over the worst. Incredibly, though, it inspired Millwall's legions to raise their support and Walker had them cheering with an accurate header 12 minutes from time. |
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Alan Walker |
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| Roaring Lions |
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By STEVE ALLAN: QPR 2, Millwall 1 MILLWALL frightened the lives out of the Division One leaders last night - while their notorious fans did likewise to the Rangers' followers. Extra police had to be called in at half time to quell Millwall fans intent on causing havoc. This was QPR's second consecutive home game where away fans have run riot at Loftus Road. And it happened just hours after the Football Association had held an inquiry into Rangers' trouble-torn game against Chelsea 12 days ago. The FA, who gagged QPR and Chelsea from commenting on yesterday's inquiry, are expected to announce their fndings today. Last night the trouble flared when some of the 5,000 Millwall fans broke out of their enclosure and ran loose in QPR's main stand. |
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Thankfully Rangers lack such a lunatic fringe and police were able to halt the charge allowing the second half to kick off on time. Police lines in front of their away pen resembled scenes from a picket line rather than a football match. On the field QPR were relieved to be able to take a slender lead into the second leg after fighting off a frantic last ditch attempt by the Lions to equalise. It left QPR manager Jim Smith mightily relieved afterwards. "Millwall played very well," he said. "They gave us more problems than any other side we've played at home this season." |
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Millwall boss John Docherty said: "There wasn't a whole division difference between the two sides over the 90 minutes. We gave a sound performance and I'm disappointed that we lost after playing so well." "I was pleased with the way my players coped on the pitch. They were not overawed. They were magnificent." The Division One pace setters took the lead after 36 minutes. Speed-king Wayne Fereday crossed to the far post where Dean Coney knocked the ball down for Gary Bannister to lash home. Rangers increased their lead after 64 minute through Alan McDonald, before Alan Walker pulled one back 11 minutes from time. |
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Rangers get a fright on and off the pitch |
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The Millwall History Files The Millwall Story since the early 1980's
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