Cascarino injury blow 

TONY Cascarino, Millwall's £220,000 summer signing from Gillingham, is rated as extremely doubtful for the Lions' Second Division clash with Leicester at Filbert Street tomorrow. 

Cascarino limped out of the midweek Littlewoods Cup tie against Leyton Orient with a hamstring injury, but manager John Docherty is optimistic that his star striker will be fit in time for Tuesday night's match against Birmingham at the Den.

 

Lions Lament:  Ian Defies Millwall

MILLWALL slid to their first defeat of the season - but manager John Docherty still drew plenty of encouragement from this bright, attacking display.

"It was our best performance of the season, and if we can sustain at level of commitment and discipline we will win more games than we will lose away from home", enthused Docherty. 

We looked  well in command and  we created plenty of chances, but Leicester can think themselves lucky that their keeper Ian Andrews was in such tremendous form, he made two brilliant saves."  

Certainly Millwall's attacking stance helped create a fast flowing, entertaining game and earned the Lions a standing ovation from their large contingent of traveling supporters.

 That the failed to reap any reward was chiefly down to Leicester's record signing Steve Moran and an outstanding display from young Andrews. 

Moran, bought from Southampton for £300,000 a year ago, pounced in the 53rd minute to knock home an Ian Wilson pass and that goal turned out to be enough. 

Yet before then Andrews had made two miraculous stops to keep Leicester, without a point or a goal before the start, in with a chance.

Just before half time he brilliantly pushed over Teddy Sheringham's pile driving, 20 yard free kick and 30 seconds after the break he pulled off an equally impressive stop after danger man George Lawrence had created a chance out of nothing.

Leicester manager Bryan Hamilton admitted afterwards, "There was a lot of good stuff out there and Millwall contributed fully to it." 

To add to the Lions misery they had three men booked. Les Briley was undeservedly cautioned for time-wasting, George Lawrence joined him in the referees notebook for a fracas with Ian Wilson and Alan Walker was booked right at the end. I thought all the bookings were very harsh," commented Docherty.

RATINGS: Horne ***,  Stevens ***, Sparham ***, Hurlock ***, Wood ***,                           
Subs: Carter and Morgan.  Bookings: Briley, Lawrence and Walker.  Match Rating 4

Lions curse their Luck

LIONS' manager John Docherty was cursing his luck after this defeat at Filbert Street on Saturday. 

Docherty, who has spent £500,000 on rebuilding in an all out bid for promotion, said: "Leicester can thank their lucky stars that their 'keeper Ian Andrews was in top form. He made two brilliant saves."

Leicester boss Bryan Hamilton was delighted with the change in fortune for his side, who were relegated from the First Division last season and lost their opening two matches without scoring. 

"It was a good performance because Millwall are not an easy team to play against," he said. Steve Moran scored the goal after 52 minutes when he collected a fine pass from Ian Wilson, moved forward and fired past Millwall 'keeper Brian Horne.

One of Docherty's summer signings, George Lawrence from Southampton, was the pride of the Lions. Lawrence, who cost £160,000, repeatedly shrugged off his markers  and covered acres of ground.

In fact he occasionally seem too fast for his colleagues. In the first half alone, he made a marvelous cross from the byline, and had header and close range shot cleared off the line by the Leicester defenders and Andrews.

The result left Millwall almost exactly halfway in the Second Division. On the opening day of the season they achieve a creditable 1-1 draw a Middlesborough, and this was followed by a 3-1 defeat of Barnsley at the Den on Saturday. 

This Saturday Millwall travel to Bradford City, who were lying fourth last Saturday's matches but had played one game more. Bradford were held to goalless draw at home to Leeds.

 

Two very similar report from one of the Sundays (below) and the Mercury (Above).

 

By George

GEORGE LAWRENCE was last night hailed pride of the lions, despite Millwall's 1-0 defeat at Leicester. 

The £160,000 signing repeatedly shrugged off his marker covered acres of ground but often seemed to quick for his teammates.

One marvelous first half cross from the byline was there to capitalise.

And his first half header and close range shot were just beaten off the line by the defence and an inform a Andrews in goal.

It was Leicester front man Steve Moran who later stole the limelight from Lawrence with his 52nd minute winner which gives his side their first points of the season.

Millwall boss John Docherty said afterwards. "We should have won, but Leicester can thank their lucky stars that Ian Andrews was in top form."

 

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