Millwall 2, Posh 0 - Posh well and truly tamed in Lions' Den
TO his great credit Posh manager Darren Ferguson refused to blame a thrice-taken penalty (and that's a footballing phrase used more rarely than three points for Northampton) for this crucial defeat.
TO his great credit Posh manager Darren Ferguson refused to blame a thrice-taken penalty (and that's a footballing phrase used more rarely than three points for Northampton) for this crucial defeat.Ferguson accepted that Millwall deserved more than their 2-0 win and that any prolonged ranting about officials, no matter how justified, would cause him pain in his wallet as well as his head.
But no such restrictions apply to reporters so assistant referee Steve Creighton (he has Berks after his name on the FA website which is apparently an address rather than a description) can be happily named and shamed here for ensuring himself five minutes of TV fame at The New Den last night.
In a stroke the less-than-admirable Creighton has outlawed penalty saves. Joe Lewis twice denied Millwall striker Gary Alexander from the spot after Chris Whelpdale had upended David Martin in the 24th minute, but on both occasions Creighton ruled the save illegal after spotting the Posh keeper pinching entire millimetres before the ball had been struck.
Reaction:
Ferguson: If we miss out we'll regret it.
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"I was rather hoping Alexander would take the third one," admitted Ferguson in a rare light-hearted moment. Instead the outstanding Martin accepted the invitation to open the scoring from the spot, ironically as Lewis charged feet off his line.
It was the sort of incident that goes unpunished on a weekly basis and it was still causing great bafflement hours after a rather one-sided match had finished. Sky's immediate call to fence-sitting ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher failed to shed too much light.
In truth Posh can perhaps count themselves unfortunate that a big game live on television, and in the absence of any Premier League matches, was entrusted into the care of officials who failed to rise to the occasion. Leeds get a top flight official virtually every week which at least ensures a better class of mistake.
Not that Posh deserve too much sympathy, with the honourable exception of Lewis, a player with such a hard core of detractors, they are probably moaning right now that he can't even save penalties properly.
Lewis was actually the one blameless player last night. He saved well in the second minute to thwart Alexander from a free-kick as Millwall ploughed forward relentlessly from the start.
The home side were clearly psyched up for battle. They offered no space or time to the creative Posh players and hounded the back four into error after error – it was easily the best display Posh have encountered since visiting The Walkers Stadium in December.
Full-backs Russell Martin and Shane Blackett were tormented all game with the latter enduring the sort of 45 minutes that normally only appear in nightmares. It was Blackett's hesitancy that led to the elongated penalty.
Blackett had already blocked a goalbound header from Marc Laird and Fellaini-headed Jason Price had lobbed wide when muscling his way through before the opening goal.
Posh responded with a third minute header over the bar from Aaron Mclean after a terrific cross by George Boyd and a couple of half-hearted free-kicks. They didn't force home keeper David Forde into difficult action until Mclean sped through 12 minutes from time, but he crucially delayed his shot.
By then Price had slotted home a simple second after Gary Alexander had caught substitute Chris Westwood in possession and Martin had roasted his Posh namesake.
That was effectively game over for a Posh side who were closed down so effectively they spent more time passing backwards than forwards.
It's fair to say that Posh were not happy Easter bunnies after playing so poorly on a big stage which generated a fantastic atmosphere.
Conversely Millwall were understandably delighted. They sang their 'no-one likes us we don't care' anthem with great gusto – it wasn't obvious whether or not Creighton and his Northampton-based boss Andy Woolmer thought the song was about them.
Match facts and the ratings on next pageMatch facts
MILLWALL 2
Martin (pen, 24 mins), Price (58 mins).
POSH 0
REFEREE: Andy Woolmer (Northants) 5.
ATTENDANCE: 10,518 (899 Posh).
YELLOW CARDS:
Posh – Mclean (foul), Lee (foul).
Millwall – Alexander (foul).
The ratings
Joe Lewis 7 (Star man)
Felt for him after two great penalty stops were disallowed
Russell Martin 5
Ran ragged by outstanding left-winger
Shane Blackett 5
Looked a weak link, hesitancy led to penalty, off at half-time
Charlie Lee 5
Gave his all in two positions, might have to return to left-back
Gaby Zakuani 6
Should be wrapped in cotton wool, didn't look fit, but battled gamely
Paul Coutts 5
Never given any time on the ball, kept at it though
Chris Whelpdale 5
Conceded the penalty to cap a poor night
Dean Keates 6
The odd good touch, but Posh were overrun in midfield
George Boyd 5
One great cross early on, but poor form continued
Aaron Mclean 5
Missed the best chances, a dip on recent standard
Craig Mackail-Smith 5
Never a threat, although no real service
Substitutes
Chris Westwood: (for Blackett, 46 mins).
Shaun Batt: (for Whelpdale, 62 mins)
Dominic Green: (for Boyd, 80 mins).
Sergio Torres: (not used).
James McKeown: (not used).
Millwall marks
David Forde: 7
Richard Duffy: 7
Tony Craig: 7
Scott Barron: 7
Zak Whitbread: 8
Marc Laird: 6
Jimmy Abdou: 7
Adam Bolder: 7
David Martin: 9
Jason Price: 7
Gary Alexander: 7
Ali Fuseini: (for Duffy, 74 mins)
Neil Harris: (not used).
Lewis Grabban: (not used).
Chris Hackett: (not used).
Lenny Pidgeley: (not used).
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