CLINICAL LIONS LAY DOWN A MARKER
NEIL HARRIS believes the ruthless edge shown by his Millwall side bodes well after they got off to a flier with a three-goal defeat of Oldham.
Up against a visiting side featuring ten debutants, a settled and energetic Lions line-up netted early on through a Lee Gregory penalty before goals from corners either side of half-time by Aiden O’Brien and Byron Webster wrapped up the win.
The only down-side for last season’s losing play-off finalists was an injury concern over last season’s 27-goal man Gregory, who was forced off at half-time.
“I’m delighted with three points and with the performance for the first 50 minutes,” said Harris.
“After that, naturally, especially on the opening day of the season on a sticky pitch in the heat, we took our foot off the pedal.
“Our decision-making was poor at times, but having said that we could have scored more goals.
“But definitely delighted? It’s great to get off the mark with three points.
“Everybody’s got a nervous anticipation before the game so to be as professional as we were and to be as ruthless as we were in front of goal, I’m really pleased.
“We were exceptional at times, certainly in the first half.
“Lee Gregory was just feeling his groin-stroke-hip flexor area. He’s unlikely for Tuesday’s game but we’ll see after that.”
Harris’s side got off the mark when Ben Thompson surged into the box to get on the end of a loose ball. Cameron Burgess was second-best in the foot-race, hacking down the home midfielder for a clear penalty.
Gregory slotted home the spot kick to the left of Connor Ripley with minimum fuss.
Steve Morison forced Ripley into a low stop with a header and also chipped narrowly over from 45 yards out, before the second goal arrived just before half-time.
David Worrall swung in a corner from the right flank and as the ball dropped on the penalty spot, O’Brien was first to react and his fierce strike flew beyond the Oldham goalkeeper.
Josh Law had gone close before that second goal as Oldham improved towards the interval. But any thoughts of a comeback evaporated quickly when Webster arrived to prod home at the far post after another Worrall corner wasn’t cleared.
Oldham boss Stephen Robinson said: “They scored from three set-plays – a rash penalty and two corners.
“We were close to going into half-time thinking we’d weathered the storm and just needed to be better in the final third.
“Then we lose the second goal from not looking after your man, which is basics, before we lost the goal at the start of the second half which was criminal, really.
“I am getting to know the players and who can and who can’t do it.
“Our quality in the final third has to be improved, but if you keep clean sheets you keep yourselves in the game and you give yourself a chance.”