Millwall 1-1 Burnley: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 20:13 02/10/10 By MirrorFootball
Ten-man Burnley wrecked Millwall’s 125th anniversary party, setting off the fireworks at the start then standing by and watching the champagne go flat.
A blood and thunder clash against invaders from the north who had a centre-half sent off after just seven minutes and then another substituted injured six minutes later should have made for a near-perfect way to celebrate for the Lions.
Instead Millwall, founded by workers at a south London jam factory, were unable to make Burnley pay for being in the sticky stuff.
In the opening moments Andre Bikey injured his shoulder and by the time he decided he could no longer continue his centre-back partner Clarke Carlisle had been shown a straight red for a clumsy challenge on debutant Theo Robinson.
The dismissal of Carlisle by Keith Stroud infuriated Burnley boss Brian Laws who said: “It was very, very harsh. He has clearly not got the player.
“But we deserve everything we got. Credit where credit is due, we have been down to 10 men for 80 minutes. It’s incredible.”
Down to 10 men, and with Dean Marney sacrificed to allow for Michael Duff and then Leon Cort to be brought into defence, Burnley scored with their first meaningful possession in the Millwall half.
Chris Eagles somehow found space to put in a delicious cross and Jay Rodriguez headed the visitors into the lead.
The odds were stacked against it lasting though, and a few minutes later Scott Barron converted from Steve Morison’s unselfish knock down.
It should have been the spark for Millwalll to go on and end a run of six matches without a win, but they could not find a way past Burnley.
Millwall hit a post and the bar and spurned several other great opportunities. Boss Kenny Jackett said: “The only criticism I have would be our finishing. That was the only thing missing from our performance.”
And Jackett was also furious at Eagles escaping unpunished after a late challenge left forced Tony Craig off at half-time with two gashes in his left leg.
But claims Millwall set out to rough up the former Manchester United player were dismissed by Jackett, who said: “We don’t target players. He is a good player though, and we have respect for good players.”
