Rovers went into this fixture low on confidence, in dire need of breaking their losing habit. Six minutes later, Paul Keegan delivered a perfectly weighted back-header into the path of Millwall’s Steve Morison, who deftly chipped Thorsten Stuckmann to put the visitors ahead. It was the archetypally random sort of error that only happens when you’re on bad run.
Lucky to be only a goal down after half an hour, Rovers employed some sonic warfare in the form of a droning PA system, perhaps to compensate for the lack of on pitch ideas. Requests for ‘Joe From IT to report to the control room immediately’ drew the biggest cheer of the day, when out of nothing, Andy Williams broke down the right and pulled back for Richard Chaplow – booed continually by the Millwall fans and targeted for hospital challenges throughout – to notch one up against his former club.
Suddenly galvanised, Rovers seized the initiative, almost scoring a carbon copy of the first goal just five minutes later, leaving Millwall grateful for the half time whistle.
The improvement continued after the break, both teams ramping up the intensity and drawing multiple yellow cards apiece in the process. Whilst Millwall impressed on the counter attack, it was Rovers who made most of the running and who ultimately grew more frustrated. Wasted attacks, coupled with Millwall timewasting and some questionably petty refereeing meant this game ultimately fizzled out, but not without late chances for both teams to steal the spoils at the death.
by Lazarus
popular STAND fanzine 