Millwall ended 2018 with consecutive 1-0 wins after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at The Den.
Millwall came into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Reading on Boxing Day. Their first win since October a run stretching nine games. Forest themselves came into the game winless in four and on the back of losing a 3-0 lead at Norwich on Boxing Day.
Team News
Neil Harris named an unchanged line-up from the one that beat Reading 1-0. Meaning Tom Elliott kept his place in the side patterning Lee Gregory up front. Jed Wallace also started after being taken off against Reading with a tight hamstring.
Millwall started the game the better side and on the front foot. It took them just nine minutes to take the lead. From their third corner of the game, Ryan Leonard delivered towards the back post and Ryan Tunnicliffe acrobatically but Millwall ahead, his shot clipping the post as it went in.
The Lions were looking dangerous from corners and forced another, again the ball went to the back post but Costel Pantillimon claimed it before it could reach another Lions player.
Forest were all over the place defensively and nesrly conceded again when another corner aimed at Cooper was taken down and squared to `Shaun Hutchinson who was unable to convert before the referee blew for a foul on a Forest defender.
Midway through the first half Forest came back into it, Joe Lolley who scored from outside the box in the return fixture at the City Ground twice went close forcing Lions stopper Jordan Archer into two good saves.
After 32 minutes, Millwall were in again. This time Lee Gregory and Jed Wallace combined with the former charging into the box but Pantillimon easily kept out his effort.
Half Time: Millwall 1-0 Forest
Forest came out of the blocks fast in the second half. Archer held Jack Colback’s effort before Lolley sent an effort just wide of the far post.
On 59 minutes Millwall again had a chance to double their lead. Jed Wallace broke in midfield but he couldn’t find Aiden O’Brien who would have been through on goal.
After 66 minutes Forest brought on their top scorer Lewis Grabban, a former Millwall man, lets just say he didn’t get the kindest of welcomes, he did not help himself when the first thing he did was give away a foul.
Forest were now playing with both Grabban and the largely ineffective Daryl Murphy up front.
On 77 minutes Millwall were awarded a free kick which Jed Wallace shot into the wall as Millwall tired to get the second goal to clinch the game.
Sub Steve Morison had a golden chance to seal the game, Aiden O’Brien did brilliantly on the left, he then found the veteran striker in the box but his shot canned back off the post. But it did not matter as The Lions held on to end 2018 with consecutive 1-0 wins.
Attendance: 15,273 (2,220)
