Wallace again the hero of Millwall’s Cup love affair
They may proudly sing no one likes them, but Millwall have certainly struck up a special relationship with the FA Cup.
Murray Wallace, hero of the fourthround victory over Everton, secured a fourth quarter-final appearance in 15 years for his side with the winning goal against AFC Wimbledon.
It was no more than the Championship strugglers deserved, as Neil Harris’s team squandered a number of good chances to win by a more comfortable margin.
But just as they do not care what opposition fans think of them, Millwall’s travelling supporters will not be too bothered how they got to the last eight yet again.
“What an achievement for a club our size,” said Harris, who led Millwall to the quarter-finals two years ago. “Four times in 15 years. That is an unbelievable achievement.
“Why does the FA Cup bring the best out of us? We know what is needed in these ties and it is not always about being the best footballing team.
“It is about the team with the biggest heart and the right footballing mentality, who can win first and second balls and set-plays. That is why they have done so well under me in this competition. I am a very happy manager.”
It might have been very different if Joe Pigott had given the League One hosts, conquerors of West Ham United in the previous round, the perfect start. In the third minute, the striker met a dangerous cross from Shane McLoughlin but could only poke the ball against the post from close range.
Wimbledon were quickly punished. Two minutes later, Wallace showed Pigott how it should be done as he put the visitors ahead. Ryan Leonard found him unmarked with a cross from the right and the left-back made no mistake with his header at the far post.
The goal was Millwall’s first since Wallace had won the fourth-round tie in stoppage time against Premier League Everton last month.
“He is a wonderful fella and a top, top professional who leaves no stone unturned in the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch,” said Harris.
“He deserves the adulation and attention. I said to the lads before the game I needed a hero and someone had to step up and be a match-winner – and he did that.”
Wimbledon were full of spirit and endeavour, but lacked the quality to take their chances and were grateful to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale that they were able to keep pushing until the final whistle.
Striker Michael Folivi and right-back Toby Sibbick were the danger men for the hosts in the first half: Folivi almost capitalised when a throw-in bobbled to him in the penalty area, but he could only shoot wide, while a Sibbick cross had goalkeeper Jordan Archer scrambling to touch the ball over his crossbar, and another found Deji Oshilaja in the box, only for the Wimbledon defender to head over.
Wally Downes, the Wimbledon manager,
made an attacking change at the break, sending on
Andy Barcham to replace Tyler Garratt.
The substitute quickly encouraged the home crowd by driving at the Millwall defence before Sibbick sent a shot well over.
Wimbledon were almost caught by a sucker punch in the 57th minute. Lee Gregory did well to chase down a long punt and hold the ball until Aiden O’Brien could catch him up, but having received his team-mate’s pass, O’Brien was unable to beat Ramsdale.
Folivi then had the entire home dugout appealing for a penalty when he went down in the area, only for Jonathan Moss, the referee, to signal for a free-kick outside the box for an earlier foul.
Downes made his last roll of the dice by sending on both Dylan Connolly and Mitchell Pinnock, while Tom Elli- ott, the former Dons striker, stepped off the bench for the visitors.
Jake Cooper squandered a great chance to ease Millwall’s nerves when he headed wide after goalscorer Wallace had turned provider. The visitors then survived a penalty appeal when Barcham was ruled offside after going down in the box, though the ball may have taken a slight touch off a defender.
At the other end, Barcham then made a superb goal-saving challenge to stop Gregory just as he was preparing to pull the trigger inside the area. There was a late chance for Connolly to send the tie into extra time, but he sliced his shot wide.
“I was very pleased with the way the lads applied themselves,” said Downes. “We were a match for Millwall and it was only a set-piece between us. “We’ve itemised all week that Millwall are very strong and studious on their set-plays. There were no surprises for what they did to us. Unfortunately there was a lapse and we got punished for it.”
Asked what might have been if Pigott’s early effort had gone in, Downes added: “But it didn’t. If you’re playing a team in the division above you and you create a chance early, you have to take it. “You know they’re going to be efficient at what they do. If they get a chance they’re going to punish you, which is exactly what happened.” AFC Wimbledon (4-4-2) Ramsdale 7; Sibbick 7, Oshilaja 7, Nightingale 6, McDonald 6; McLoughlin 6, Hartigan 6 (Pinnock 63), Wordsworth 6, Garratt 5 (Barcham, h-t); Folivi 7, Pigott 6 (Connolly 63). Subs McDonnell (g), Thomas, Wagstaff, Soares. Booked Wordsworth. Millwall (4-2-3-1) Archer 7; Romeo 6, Pearce 7, Cooper 7, M Wallace 7; Leonard 6, Williams 7; J Wallace 6, O’Brien 6 (Elliott 65), Ferguson 6; Gregory 7 (Hutchinson 90). Subs Martin (g), Tunnicliffe, Morrison, Skalak, Hanson. Booked M Wallace. Referee Jonathan Moss (County Durham).