George Thomas on the scoresheet as the Sky Blues lose out against the Lions...
The young Sky Blues were defeated in the Development League South, conceding late in defeat against Millwall.
Alfie Pavey headed the hosts into a first half lead, but after a nice move and finish, George Thomas grabbed the equaliser at the start of the second half. However, Pavey struck again ten minutes from time to leave City empty handed.
The home side began the brighter of the two, and very nearly went ahead if not for a fantastic Corey Addai save. A set piece into the box wasn’t cleared, and when the ball fell to a Millwall shirt inside the six-yard box, Addai was there to palm it away to safety.
With a lack of height in the City ranks, it was a short corner routine that presented them with their first opportunity of the game. Kyle Spence and Devon Kelly-Evans worked it well, but the latter dragged his shot wide after cutting inside on his left foot.
In what was turning out to be a tight affair on a difficult playing surface, Millwall won a free kick in a dangerous position, but captain Kyron Farrell struck his effort just over the bar.
Millwall were beginning to take control of proceedings, twice going close through an Alfie Pavey long-range effort and header from a corner. However, their spell of pressure soon told.
After winning a free kick on the right, the home side took advantage of their superior height difference, as Pavey headed the hosts into a deserved lead ten minutes before half time.
The Sky Blues began the second half with a lot more purpose and were soon level. Kelly-Evans turned fantastically on the halfway and drove at the defence before sliding a ball to Thomas. The striker took one touch before hitting it under the ‘keeper for the equaliser.
Millwall continued to be a threat from set pieces, and nearly restored their advantage from a corner kick. The ball dropped kindly for defender Christian Mbulu, but via a deflection he hit his effort over from close range.
The Lions came forward again, as Noel Leighton received the ball on the right hand side. The forward beat his man and flashed a good ball across the six-yard box, but Pavey couldn’t quite reach it to add his second of the game.
The striker didn’t have to wait long as he latched onto the end of cross from the right, and with space and time he found the bottom corner to restore the Millwall lead.
Midfielder Harry Donovan's sending off for two bookable offences meant the home side had to play the final five minutes with ten men, but they held on to claim the three points.
Yellow: Whitmore, Mbulu, Donovan.
Red: Donovan.
Teams
Subs: Skuza (GK), Finn, Ford, Stedman.
Millwall: King (GK), Cummings, Chesmain, Donovan, Nelson (Rooney 60'), Mbulu, Brown (McNamara 66'), Farrell (C), Pavey, Leighton, Twardek.
Subs: Sandford (GK), Ezuboeme, Mundle-Smith.