‘It’s happening again
It’s happening again
Just like at Wembley
It’s happening again’
Whisper it, but Millwall could yet turn into one of my favourite away games. Yeah, yeah, I can be home within half an hour of full-time, that’s a given. They also always let us beat them (5 in a row and counting), but, having forsaken the cosy surrounds of the Mudlark in London Bridge, we now have the Broocey bonus of the Bermondsey Beer Mile – an inspired choice from beer brand manager Loko. The Hawkes Cidery offered the rare treat of a pre-match craft cider (the Black Cherry, presumably named after the ingredients rather than the Goldfrapp album, was delicious). And they still had a pilsner and a bitter on for the uninitiated. A decent turnout too, with half the Jones family there as well as assorted Londontykes. Note to self: get there earlier next season; we didn’t have near enough time pre-match drinking. (There must be 10 different micro breweries operating under the railway arches; Slacki reckons next time we have a free Satdy, we should do a crawl. ‘Err…next week then?’ Maybe not.)
We then walked to the Den, yours truly ensuring everyone knew we were Barnsley by wearing a red BFC tracky top. Funny how everyone else was undercover…you’d think Mi’wa’ had a reputation or summat. Said reputation appeared confirmed when I called in at a Greggs near the stadium – one of only two I’ve ever seen employ bouncers (and at least the one in Barnsley was late on, when the drunks are scrapping).
As ever, we cut it fine re: kick-off, and Andy and I were still putting up the flag when I looked up to see the Lions clean through, Davies pegging it off his line to block. On such small margins are victories made. We eventually got into the game and went ahead not long before half time when Barnes was released down the wing and his low cross was expertly guided in by Bradshaw. We wallowed in the lead for all of 5 minutes…
A ball was laid through and their lad looked odds-on to get there first. However, Pearson, tracking back at pace made a tackle so utterly perfect the linesman had no choice but to flag for a penalty. Christ on a bike. It was clear as day behind the goal, but for a second time in a few weeks we’d conceded a controversial pen. No wonder Hecky got himself sent to the stand. I quite fancied having a word with the ref myself. One-all.
Course, we’re never happier than when we feel hard done to and in a carbon-copy of our first goal, Barnes knocks it across and Bradshaw guides is across the goalkeeper, who gets good contact, but fortunately can’t stop it going in. The Den echoes to chants of ‘It’s happening again…it’s happening again…just like at Wembley…it’s happening again.’ It sounded haunting, and if Millwall didn’t have a complex about us before, I’m sure they do now. A chill goes down my spine.
Davies makes another superb save and Bradshaw is dragged off, problies disappointed not to get the chance of a hattrick, but he was knackered. On comes Thiam, who is a handful to say the least. Millwall start piling men forward, but keep losing the ball, and there’s only one team going to score as we enjoy break after break. From one, Thiam delivers to the back post and Potts must score…but he doesn’t, the keeper scrambling across to save.
No need to panic though. Jared Bird (who?) has come on as sub, slaloms past 3 players then gets chopped down by the shins. A clear pen, so I was rather disappointed to hear Chris Iwelumo on The Championship say it was a dive. The camera shot from the main stand is inconclusive, but if you were sat behind the goal you could see the kick. Personally, I’m sure Bird wouldn’t have minded staying on his feet to slot home a la Maradona. Thiam calmly strokes the ball into the corner while the keeper dives right. 3-1. The game is ours. ‘It’s happening again…..’ The last ten minutes are celebratory, while Mi’wa’ take the opportunity to leave early. Let’s hope they’re not waiting at the railway station…
It’s happening again
Just like at Wembley
It’s happening again’
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| Welcome to...the beautiful symmetry of Millwall |
Whisper it, but Millwall could yet turn into one of my favourite away games. Yeah, yeah, I can be home within half an hour of full-time, that’s a given. They also always let us beat them (5 in a row and counting), but, having forsaken the cosy surrounds of the Mudlark in London Bridge, we now have the Broocey bonus of the Bermondsey Beer Mile – an inspired choice from beer brand manager Loko. The Hawkes Cidery offered the rare treat of a pre-match craft cider (the Black Cherry, presumably named after the ingredients rather than the Goldfrapp album, was delicious). And they still had a pilsner and a bitter on for the uninitiated. A decent turnout too, with half the Jones family there as well as assorted Londontykes. Note to self: get there earlier next season; we didn’t have near enough time pre-match drinking. (There must be 10 different micro breweries operating under the railway arches; Slacki reckons next time we have a free Satdy, we should do a crawl. ‘Err…next week then?’ Maybe not.)
 |
| Millwall traditions, old and new. |
We then walked to the Den, yours truly ensuring everyone knew we were Barnsley by wearing a red BFC tracky top. Funny how everyone else was undercover…you’d think Mi’wa’ had a reputation or summat. Said reputation appeared confirmed when I called in at a Greggs near the stadium – one of only two I’ve ever seen employ bouncers (and at least the one in Barnsley was late on, when the drunks are scrapping).
 |
| Probably a welcome sight, all considered. |
As ever, we cut it fine re: kick-off, and Andy and I were still putting up the flag when I looked up to see the Lions clean through, Davies pegging it off his line to block. On such small margins are victories made. We eventually got into the game and went ahead not long before half time when Barnes was released down the wing and his low cross was expertly guided in by Bradshaw. We wallowed in the lead for all of 5 minutes…
 |
| Outside the New Den. |
A ball was laid through and their lad looked odds-on to get there first. However, Pearson, tracking back at pace made a tackle so utterly perfect the linesman had no choice but to flag for a penalty. Christ on a bike. It was clear as day behind the goal, but for a second time in a few weeks we’d conceded a controversial pen. No wonder Hecky got himself sent to the stand. I quite fancied having a word with the ref myself. One-all.
 |
| Davies is sent the wrong way. |
Course, we’re never happier than when we feel hard done to and in a carbon-copy of our first goal, Barnes knocks it across and Bradshaw guides is across the goalkeeper, who gets good contact, but fortunately can’t stop it going in. The Den echoes to chants of ‘It’s happening again…it’s happening again…just like at Wembley…it’s happening again.’ It sounded haunting, and if Millwall didn’t have a complex about us before, I’m sure they do now. A chill goes down my spine.
 |
| Barnsley defend the front post. |
Davies makes another superb save and Bradshaw is dragged off, problies disappointed not to get the chance of a hattrick, but he was knackered. On comes Thiam, who is a handful to say the least. Millwall start piling men forward, but keep losing the ball, and there’s only one team going to score as we enjoy break after break. From one, Thiam delivers to the back post and Potts must score…but he doesn’t, the keeper scrambling across to save.
 |
| Welcome to...Hecky, sent to the stands, leans on barrier. |
 |
| The Super Reds take their plaudits. |
*** Williams. Put his foot in, was up for a scrap (literally, at one point) and good distribution.
** Davies. Didn’t put a foot wrong and crucial saves at 0-0 and 2-1 (the latter from a bullet header which he held).
* Thiam. If we insist on playing with one up front, it’s gotta be this lad, he’s a proper handful. Though what Bradshaw thinks of the fans constantly chanting Mamadou’s name after he’s hit two, who knows???
Londontykes' MOTM: 1. Williams 2. McGeehan 3. Davies
Despatches:** Davies. Didn’t put a foot wrong and crucial saves at 0-0 and 2-1 (the latter from a bullet header which he held).
* Thiam. If we insist on playing with one up front, it’s gotta be this lad, he’s a proper handful. Though what Bradshaw thinks of the fans constantly chanting Mamadou’s name after he’s hit two, who knows???
Londontykes' MOTM: 1. Williams 2. McGeehan 3. Davies
All in all, a great day. Hammill danced about at full time, waving his fingers ‘3-1’ and having to explain to Thiam that the fans were hailing him as their new hero. Chris from Beckenham’s bet came in, and he was 80 quid richer, while Andy, Jim and The Captain came to my own turf of Peckham for celebratory beers in the Brick Brewery and John the Unicorn, intermittent showers preventing us going to Frank’s on the rooftop of the local multi-storey. It’s all happening in Peckham!
Onwards and upwards!
Drink du jour: craft cider, craft weissbier, Jaipur. Well, that was my day!
Crowd: 12,147 (Away: 691)
The Damage:
£23 ent
£3 prog
= £26
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| Millwall v Barnsley panorama |
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| Behind the away end; breezeblock central |
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| The Super Reds; carriage |
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| 'Is there a fire drill?' |
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| Check out railings to stop Mi'wa' harrassing the linesman! |
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| Brick Brewery |
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