Substitute Theo Robinson struck twice in three minutes as Southend United came from behind to defeat Millwall at Roots Hall on a warm sunny evening on the Essex coast.
Both sides were nearing the end of their pre-season campaign as they build up to their respective seasons in the SkyBet Football League, the hosts looking for a much better campaign in League One under boss Kevin Bond whilst Milwall, managed by ex-shrimper Neil Harris, were looking for a solid season in the Championship.
A decent crowd of 2,070, including 509 from South London, were inside Roots Hall to see their relative sides, but chances in the opening fifteen minutes were rare, with a blocked Skalak shot from eighteen yards and a McLaughlin shot straight at Sanford the only efforts at goal.
Yearwood then struck one over the visitor’s bar, before Humphrys saw a free kick go way over the Millwall goal, and then a Goodship header back across goal saw Humphrys attempt a bicycle kick but he missed it and the chance went.
Millwall then saw Jed Wallace fire a free kick over the hosts bar, before Mantom played a decent ball across the face of goal looking for Yearwood but a Millwall defender managed to cut it out, but the hosts were doing well and creating chances. But the half did end goalless with the hosts more than holding their own against higher league opposition.
Half Time Southend United 0 Millwall 0
Two minutes after the restart Millwall got their noses in front in very fortuitous circumstances as an attempted clearance from Lennon hit fellow defender Ralph and looped over Oxley and in off the crossbar for a comical own goal, and the South Londoners had the lead.
It took a while for the hosts to settle after this as Millwall had the better of the play in the opening exchanges of the half, but just beyond the hour mark Milligan struck a brilliant first time effort from range which flew inches over the visitors goal, and this seemed to wake the Blues up somewhat.
Another Blues chance saw Hyam chest the ball down and then volley over from fifteen yards, and then with twenty minutes remaining Robinson came on for Humphrys, which turned out to be a masterstroke from manager Bond.
As only five minutes after coming on, Robinson levelled the match up as he received the ball before turning towards goal and rifling a brilliant effort into the roof of the net, and then after Goodship had seen a decent effort saved by visitors keeper Sandford, the resulting corner saw Robinson head home at the near post for two goals in three minutes, and the hosts now had the lead.
Millwall put some pressure on the Blues goal late on, but the hosts just about held out to record a very impressive victory over the Championship side, with Robinson taking the plaudits in this one for the final twenty minutes at least.
Full Time Southend United 2 Millwall 1
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