Sunday 7th May 2017
EFL League 1 Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg
at Glanford Park
Scunthorpe United (1) 2
Ivan Toney 19
Stephen Dawson 81
Millwall (1) 3
Steve Morison 45, 58
Lee Gregory 52
Admission £20. Programme £3. Attendance 7,190
Scunthorpe United:
Joe Anyon, Jordan Clarke, David Mirfin, Murray Wallace, Conor Townsend (Craig Davies 75), Stephen Dawson, Jamie Ness (Duane Holmes 66), Neal Bishop, Josh Morris, Paddy Madden (Kevin van Veen 59), Ivan Toney.
Unused subs - Rory Watson, Levi Sutton, Harry Toffolo, Sam Mantom.
Millwall:
Jordan Archer, Mahlon Romeo, Byron Webster, Shaun Hutchinson, Tony Craig, Jed Wallace, Shaun Williams, Nadjim Abdou, Steve Morison, Aiden O’Brien (Shane Ferguson 69), Lee Gregory (Calum Butcher 80).
Unused subs - Tom King, David Worrall, Ben Thompson, Fred Onyedinma, Jake Cooper.
The journey from this afternoon's 'Survival Sunday' game at the City Ground, Nottingham to Glanford Park was stress free and the roads were uncharacteristically free of any kind of congestion or hold ups, so I was in plenty of time to enjoy my tea in the Old Farmhouse public house that stands adjacent to Scunny's ground.
The lengths I go to to bring you up to speed with what's hot and what's not, around the perimeters of Planet Football, must astound you at times and I selflessly tucked into what must have been the biggest and tastiest steak and ale pie I have ever had the pleasure to sample, just so I could recommend this gastronomic delight to any of you who should ever feel compelled to stray into this football hotbed corner of North East Lincolnshire, where, just a short drive away from the local League One football stadium, you can also visit the nearby homes of: Appleby Frodingham, Brigg Town, Bottesford Town, Scotter United and Winterton Rangers.
What more could you possibly want?
For purposes of adhering to the relevant guidelines, as regards political correctness within the confines of this on line tome, let it be known, that I thoroughly respect any dumb animal that had been slaughtered, so that I could masticate such an enjoyable tea time treat of mouth watering succulence and excellence, just as much as any tree hugging vegetarian could and I would like it to be known, that any religion that forbids partaking in the devouring of such a wonderful evening feast, is obviously flawed to the nth degree and based on a set of ethics that are completely crap.
The first leg had finished goalless; and tonight, the second began in a nervy fashion with both teams starting at a frantic pace, with stray passes and an initial lack of clear cut chances failing to offer any clues that an actual half decent game of football was on the verge of breaking out any time soon.
A right wing corner from Josh Morris created panic in Millwall's defensive ranks and though Neal Bishop couldn't get a touch on Morris' delivery right in front of the goal, Ivan Toney was behind him and he diverted the ball into the back of the net from close range in the nineteenth minute, to put the Iron in front.
The goal settled the home sides nerves and they started to look more comfortable on the ball, while the Glanford Park faithful picked up the scent of a Wembley visit and cranked up the atmosphere accordingly.
But, right on the stroke of half time, 'Scunny' failed to clear the ball in their area and Steve Morison pounced to put the visitors on equal terms, against the run of play.
HT: 1-1
The Lions came out roaring after the interval and two goals in quick succession from Lee Gregory and a second for Morison, turned the game on it's head as the South Bermondsey based side grasped the initiative.
And although Stephen Dawson set up what promised to be a grandstand finale, when he pulled a goal back for United with nine minutes to go, when he spanked the ball past Jordan Archer from twenty five yards out.
Scunthorpe threw everything they had at clawing their way back into the tie in the closing stages, which was elongated with six added minutes of stoppage time, but although Kevin van Keen went close, Millwall held out to claim themselves a trip to Wembley, where they will now face Bradford City in the play off final on May 20th
FT: Scunthorpe United 2 v Millwall 3
