The lowdown on Millwall 1 Luton 0 – Crama settles straight in at right-back as Ivanovic stunner seals overdue Kenilworth Road victory
Mihalio Ivanovic’s stunning goal was the difference as Millwall defeated Luton Town 1-0 at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.
Here is Alex Grace’s lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Luton Town: Kaminski, Bell, Andersen, McGuinness, Hashioka, Nakamba (Walsh 75), Brown (Nelson 67), Krauss (Adebayo 61), Clark, Doughty (Jones 68), Morris. Subs not used: Krul, Walters, Holmes, Ruddock-Mpazu, Woodrow, Jones, Nelson.
Millwall: Jensen (Roberts 90), Crama, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan, Saville, De Norre, Watmore (Honeyman 83), Bangura-Williams, Scanlon (Connolly 17), Ivanovic. Subs not used: Harding, Hutchinson, Wallace, Mitchell, Kelly, Leahy.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
Matches between these two sides are usually tight and well-contested. The Hatters edged the reverse fixture 1-0 in September with both clubs under different management. This went as expected. A tight and competitive contest.
The Lions got the breakthrough in the 61st minute, a superb effort from Ivanovic. Ra’ees Bangura-Williams’ ball was controlled brilliantly by the Serbian, who let fly to leave Kaminski with no chance.
Alex Neil was forced into two changes to the side. New arrival Tristan Crama came into the side for his full debut at right-back. Ivanovic replaced Macaulay Langstaff, who was not included in the matchday squad. The Millwall boss was dealt a further two injury blows with Calum Scanlon going off in the first half and then, in second-half stoppage time, goalkeeper Lukas Jensen had to be replaced by Liam Roberts.
Mihalio Ivanovic. The striker has tended to be far better when coming off the bench rather than from the start. However, this was a very solid performance by the Serbian. Despite being up against two big centre-halves in Andersen and McGuinness, he won his fair share of flick-ons and held the ball up well for the likes of Duncan Watmore, Bangura-Williams and Connolly. The goal topped off a great day for him.
Ivanovic’s goal. The technique he showed was top quality. It is a big confidence booster for the club record signing as well going into some crucial fixtures for Neil’s men.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Connolly’s missed penalty. When things are not going for you, they really are not going for you. Millwall are suffering a bit in terms of luck right now and this was another sign of it. The Lions don’t get penalties very often so when you do, you really need to score them.
It was a big moment for Connolly, coming on to replace the injured Scanlon. He looked a bright spark and won the penalty. He will be disappointed with the spot-kick, it was an easy save for the Luton keeper Kaminski.
Crama at right-back. I could not find any information anywhere to see if the former Brentford man had played there before. All of the information I could find suggested he has only played as a centre-back. His cameo against Cardiff was solid, however, that was only for 22 minutes. This was a much greater test.
It was evident from a cross that went straight out of play in the eighth minute that he is not used to playing that role. Luton did target that area for the majority of the game but credit to Crama, who more than held his own. Alfie Doughty down the Luton left tried to give him as many problems as possible but he stood up to those challenges. Could he do a job there until the Lions get a replacement?
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“We deserved to win. We had the best chances in the game. We missed a penalty. Aaron has a shot the keeper makes a really good save. Mihailo had an unbelievable opportunity to make it two at the back post.”