Rowett joy as Lions prey on minnows

AS the son of a prison governor, Gary Rowett is familiar with all kinds of lockdowns.

But as Millwall eased the shackles a little, with only their second win in 14 games, there was a detectable relief in the Lions manager’s demeanour.

Goals in each half from Kenneth Zohore and Shaun Hutchinson were the least Rowett’s side deserved from a committed display against Boreham Wood at Meadow Park.

With the Elstree Studios – where Strictly Come Dancing contestants are put through their paces – barely 200 yards up the road, there was ample scope for Millwall to trip up against the National League minnows.

Rowett need not have worried, although he said: “It was a difficult game with our current form and perhaps not being as confident as we would like to be.

“It’s always a difficult place to come, a non-league ground.

“It’s a brilliant set up, you can see the organisation – but we did a professional job in the end. You’ve got to match the mentality and hope that your quality shines through.

“That’s how the game panned out.”

After a feisty opening, the Lions went in front in the 31st minute with Zohore providing an assured finish to a slick move orchestrated by Scott Malone.

And the home side’s resistance waned when Hutchinson made it 2-0 with a firm header from Malone’s corner 16 minutes from time.

Boreham manager Luke Garrard said: “Millwall moved the ball superbly and we didn’t play to our maximum, which we knew we had to do.”

BOREHAM WOOD: Ashmore 8; Fyfield 6, Stephens 6, Ilesanmi 6; Smith 6, Mafuta 6, Thomas 6, Murtagh 6 (Mingoia 87th), Tshimanga 6 (Coulthirst 79th), Rhead 5 (McDonnell 87th), Morias 6 (Whitely (69th) 6)

Fielding 6; McNamara

7, Hutchinson 7, Cooper 6, Pearce

7, Malone 7; Leonard 6, Woods 7 (Thompson 88th); Burey 6 (Bradshaw

(60th) 6), Zohore 6 (Bodvarsson

(60th) 6), Parrott 8 (Smith 80th) Troy Parrott

B Speedie