Blackburn 0-2 Millwall: Match Report

24 November 2012 18:02
Blackburn 0-2 Millwall: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.


Lions continue to roar

Millwall climbed above opponents Blackburn and up to sixth in the npower Championship table after registering a 2-0 win - their fifth victory in their last six games - at Ewood Park.

Chris Wood struck twice, his first powered in from 25 yards 19 minutes from time before James Henry sealed it at the death to extend the Lions' unbeaten league run to 10 matches.

Blackburn went into the game inside the play-off positions having scored four at Peterborough last time out but Henning Berg's side had been goal-shy in front of their own fans with only nine goals in their eight games at Ewood Park.

Berg named an unchanged line-up from the comprehensive win at London Road with hat-trick hero Jordan Rhodes spearheading the attack.

Lions manager Kenny Jackett made two changes from his side's win over Leeds. Midfielder Nadjim Abdou returned following the birth of his daughter in place of the injured Liam Trotter while Henry replaced Liam Feeney.

Millwall made the stronger start in a competitive opening and striker Andy Keogh twice had the ball in the back off the net only for both headers to be ruled out for offside.

At the other end Argentinian forward Mauro Formica tested visiting goalkeeper David Forde before Ruben Rochina forced an even better save from the Lions' number one who dived full-stretch to tip the ball behind for a corner following a 20-yard drive.

The visitors were looking the most likely to break the deadlock and continued to threaten with New Zealand international forward Wood the next to go close on the half hour mark.

Wood, on loan from West Brom, picked up the ball 20 yards out but his stinging shot was parried by former England keeper Paul Robinson before Grant Hanley hacked the ball to safety.

The hosts then began to impose themselves on the game with a period of possession without creating any clear goalscoring opportunities.

Twin full-backs Marcus and Martin Olsson both forced corners but Rochina's deliveries were poor as referee Eddie Ilderton drew proceedings to a close.

Blackburn started the second period strongly and striker Rhodes, who was almost anonymous for the first 45 minutes, headed over from 12 yards before Martin Olsson nipped between two defenders to strike an effort which deflected up and over the crossbar.

Manager Berg then looked to influence the game from the bench as he introduced Manchester United loanee Josh King for his debut and the 20-year-old striker almost made the difference as he forced a fine save from Forde from 12 yards.

Forde then parried from Rochina before Millwall made the breakthrough. Striker Wood found space 25-yards from goal to thump an unstoppable right-footed effort into the roof of the net.

The recalled Henry then struck a powerful drive from 30 yards in the final minute to seal it as Millwall climbed into the npower Championship play-off places, leaving Rovers with one win from five.

Source: PA