Millwall 1 - 0 Burnley - FA Cup 5th round...

Burnley crashed out of the cup in disappointing fashion at the New Den. Hopes of a £400,000+ windfall were dashed the moment Daniel Dichio headed the Lions in front.

 

Hopes were high before the game yet only 700 Burnley fans made their way to the game but they were as vocal as possible in the intimidating surrounding of Bermondsey.

 

Stan made one change from the side that beat Gillingham with Robbie Blake coming back into the team at the expense of Alan Moore. Neil Wood played on the left of a 4 man midfield with Blake up front with Ian Moore.

 

It was quite a dull start to the game with neither side creating anything of any real note. Jensen failed to deal with a couple of crosses but produced a fantastic save to tip over a volley from outside the box. Jensen was beaten shortly afterwards when a long range shot from Harris dipped wickedly but it went just over the bar.

 

The best chance of the half fell to Ian Moore when Millwall defender Ryan failed to deal with a long ball from Wood. As Ryan fell on his backside Moore advanced through on goal, with 30 yards to himself, only to see him waste the chance by hitting his shot straight at Gueret.

 

Most fans were thankful for the half time whistle as Millwall were coming more and more into the game. Jensen saved well from Dichio just before the whislte was blown.

 

The second half started as the first ended, with a constant stream of Millwall attacks with Jensen pulling off some very good saves to keep Burnley in the game. Dennis Wise, who'd been giving the ref the runaround with his antics, was only shown a yellow card for his elbow on Grant.

 

Millwall should have taken the lead moments later when Ifill beat Camara before firing his shot against the bar. Burnley were hanging on for dear life at this stage before Stan effectively ended the game for the Clarets when he took off Robbie Blake. Blake was poor but surely you should leave the best player at the club on the pitch. His replacement Weller lasted a matter of minutes before he was given his marching orders for pushing Wise in the face.

 

Inbetween the substitution and the sending off was the Millwall goal. A cross from the right was headed into the net by Dichio to give the home side a well deserved lead. The floodgates were ready to open but Jensen kept Burnley in the game with 2 stunning saves. Although we'd played poorly we were only one goal down and Stan decided to for broke by bringing on Luke Chadwick and Alan Moore.

 

Burnley should have got a deserved equaliser after Littles' cross was headed into the 6 yard box by Ian Moore only to see his namesake head wide. TV replays have since showed that he didn't actually make a connection with the ball.

 

The Beast came up for a freekick but it was all to no avail and referee Webb blew his final whistle to end Burnley's interest in the competition.

 

Millwall:- Gueret, Lawrence,  Ryan(Sweeny 70), Cahill, Ifill, Livermore, Harris(Braniff 61), Dichio, Ward, Muscat, Wise.

 

Subs:- Marshall, McCammon and Roberts

 

Burnley:- Jensen, Roche(Chadwick 76), Camara, May, McGregor(A.Moore 84), Little, Grant, Chaplow, Wood, Blake(Weller 61), I.Moore

 

Subs:- Rachubka and Orr

 

Referee:- Howard Webb(S. Yorkshire)