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MILLWALL star Dean Neal faces a late fitness test before tomorrow's opening clash of the
season against Swansea at The Den.
The free-scoring forward has been suffering with a trapped nerve in his neck and
yesterday trained for the first time this week. But Millwall chief George Graham said, “We'll have to take a close look at Dean and see if he's ready.” If 23-year-old Neal fails to make it youngster Teddy Sheringham will step into the Third Division clash. Otherwise, Graham expects to name the line-up that narrowly lost to Luton last week. Lindsay Smith is definitely out and Les Briley is suspended. So midfield ace Tony Kinsella and defender Bill Roffey will be the only summer signings to start the season. Anton Otulakowski, like Briley, is suspended for two matches. The Lions beat the united Arab Emirates 3-1 in a behind closed doors friendly on Tuesday. |
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by Ian Malin and Brian Stater WIMBLEDON and Millwall are waiting for the FA's verdict following crowd trouble at Saturday's matches. The FA disciplinary chiefs will decide whether to take action once the match referees have made reports of the incidents to Lancaster Gate. Two outbreaks of violence marred Wimbledon's Second Division debut against Manchester City at Plough Lane. Visiting fans got in to the home supporter's area and 48 arrests were made. Police say that most face charges of threatening behavior and 37 of the people arrested are from the Manchester area. Wimbledon are close to completing a £24,000 barrier which will divide home and away supporters. The incidents at Millwall, where no arrests were made, followed the late arrival of a coach load of Swansea fans. They ignored instructions to enter the enclosure reserved for them and went into the Cold Blow Lane end. Scuffles followed and 20 Swansea supporters climbed the touchline fence to be escorted round the pitch. |
Putting the boot in: The new football season kicks off at the Den A group of Millwall supporters then came over the Ilderton Road end barrier, and further fighting followed. Millwall chief executive Tony Shaw said, “In this instance it is possible that the FA will decide not to take any action.” The FA yesterday refused to comment until they have studied the referee's reports. |
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Millwall (2) 2 Swansea (0) 0 by Brian Stater BILL ROFFEY doesn't score too many goals - but they're well worth the wait. The 30-year-old full-back, making his Third Division debut for Millwall, hammered a screaming 30-yard shot to wrap up the points in Saturday's opening clash. And afterwards he quipped, “Don't expect that every week - if I score two goals a season I think I've done as well as lan Rush getting 40 goals for Liverpool!” Roffey, who bit the net just eight times in 328 League outings for Orient, his old club, added, “When they do go in they tend to be spectacular. I either miss, or score with a blockbuster.” The likeable former Peckham schoolboy, who played in the First Division with Crystal Palace, says he relished the new challenge offered by Millwall boss George Graham this summer, when a free transfer ended an 11 year spell with Orient. Roffey's goal, just seconds before half time, was an appropriate final flourish to 45 minutes of sparkling soccer. Sad Swansea, back in the Third Division after suffering relegation for two successive seasons, were overrun as the Lions clicked in to gear. Kevin Bremner had given Millwall a dream start, pouncing on the rebound of a Steve Lovell shot to score after just five minutes. Manager George Graham said, “I've never seen us play so much football.” The only smear on an otherwise encouraging start to the season was the outbreak of violence in the first half. |
Blaster Bill: Millwall goal ace Bill Roffey (Centre) gets a hug from Nicky Chatterton Millwall: Sansome, Nutton, Roffey, McLeary, Martin, Cusack, Lovell, Bremner, Neal, Chatterton, Kinsella Substitute: Lowndes. Referee: D. J. Axcell (Southend). Attendance: 4,616. |
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Millwall took just five minutes to open their account in the new season. But sadly, less than ten minutes later the ref had to take the players off the field because of skirmishes between rival supporters. Visiting fans had been let in the wrong turnstiles and were led down the touchline nearest the Millwall fans and a few hotheads jumped down and started fighting. Happily, it took less than two minutes for order to be restored and the game was restarted and played in good spirit. Kevin Bremner started and finished he move for the first goal. He sped down the left wing and crossed the ball into the centre, where acting skipper Steve Lovell crashed the ball onto the post. Bremner following up, planted it firmly past Jimmy Rimmer. Millwall began to play some of their best football since George Graham took over and only the brilliance of Rimmer kept the score down. The home defence was solid, with Bill Roffey making an impressive debut. |
Roffey received just reward in the 44th minute when he rocketed the ball from 35 yards past the Swansea keeper. Swansea, managed by former Charlton skipper, Colin Appleton, changed their tactics in the second half, with an extra man in midfield to press up on the Millwall defence. However, the Lions back four were efficient and keeper Paul Sansome had little to do. Graham said: “I was pleased with our first half display, but we didn't get it right in the second.” “It's great to have won the first match of the season, but I kept the players behind after the match and we went through the problems we had in the second 45 minutes and the mistakes we made.” Millwall:Sansome, Nutton, Roffey,Mcleary, Martin, Cusack Lovell, Bremner, Neal, Chatterton, Kinsella. sub:Lowndes. Swansea:Rimmer, Evans, Lewis, Rajkovic, Stevenson, Hughes, Saunders, Robinson, Loveridge, Mardenborough, Pascoe. sub: McQuillan. Ref: D. J. Axcell (Southend). Att: 4,616 |
 Come on you two, the season is only 5 minutes old you can't be that tired |