The Sky Blues U23s host Millwall at the Alan Higgs Centre this afternoon, with kick off scheduled for 1:00pm. Here’s everything you need to know about our opponents.
Last Time Out..
The U23s first home match of the Professional Development League campaign this season ended with a 2-0 victory over Colchester United at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
City began the match brightly as Marco Rus and Matty Godden both went close with efforts in the opening 20 minutes.
And the Sky Blues did not need to wait too much longer to find the opener when Blaine Rowe’s cross was cleared only to as far as Jordan Shipley for the midfielder to fire City ahead.
The final action of the half would see Ryan Howley’s shot from range smash against the post as City went in front at the break.
The Sky Blues quickly doubled their lead early in the second half when Shipley’s corner wasn’t cleared by the U’s defence and the ball fell kindly to George Burroughs.
Colchester were limited to shots from range with Marley Marshall-Miranda the latest to have a go but was denied by the head of Burroughs.
The visitors almost found themselves on the score sheet when Bunmi Babajide headed goal bound but Josh Reid was on hand to clear the effort off the line and preserve the clean sheet.
The Opposition
Millwall finished sixth, out of nine teams, in the 2020/21 Southern Section of the Professional Development League.
They began this campaign with a home victory over Crewe Alexandra however they followed that up with a defeat at Hull last time out to leave them seventh in their league.
The Lions initially took the lead from the penalty spot when Junior Tiensia was brought down, with Sean O’Brien dispatching the spot kick in the 22nd minute.
The London side almost doubled their lead when Jayden Davis hit the cross bar, but the Tigers would be given the chance to equalise from the spot when a Brandon Fleming cross was handled in the box by Arthur Penny, who received a red card for his troubles.
Hull’s Harry Wood brought the game level before he was given the chance to give the Tigers the lead when they were awarded a second penalty three minutes later, after Josh Hinds was fouled. He did just that and in stoppage time Will Jarvis wrapped up the points for the hosts to condemn the Lions to their first defeat of the season.
Last Six Games
Lost – Hull City U23s 3-1 Millwall U23s (Professional Development League)
Won – Millwall U23s 1-0 Crewe Alexandra U23s (Professional Development League)
Won – Hull City U23s 0-2 Millwall U23s (Professional Development League)
Lost – Millwall U23s 1-2 Sheffield United U23s (Professional Development League)
Lost – Barnsley U23s 1-0 Millwall U23s (Professional Development League
Lost – Millwall U23s 2-3 Birmingham City U23s (Professional Development League)
Last Time We Met
The two sides last met in was in October 2020 when the Sky Blues went down 1-0 at the Alan Higgs Centre to the Lions.
The Sky Blues created the first real chance of the match when Dan Lafferty played in David Bremang but the striker’s shot from a tight angle was saved.
Jordon Thompson came to the rescue to keep the score level when Blaine Rowe almost put through his own note as he attempted to clear a cross, but Thompson was on the line to help his teammate out.
Just before the break Marcel Hilssner's well hit free-kick required a strong stop from Joe Wright to prevent the Sky Blues taking the lead.
Wesley Jobello and Bremang would go close just after the break but when Hilssner’s header went just over the bar you got the feeling it would not be City’s day.
And in the 77th minute Nana Boateng would take advantage of the host's missed chances to win the match for Millwall with an effort from close range
Sky Blues Xl: Ben Wilson, Blaine Rowe, Jay McGrath, Jordon Thompson (Aidan Finnegan 64’), Jack Burroughs, Dan Lafferty, Joe Newton, Marcel Hilssner, (Harrison Nee 85’), Jordan Young, Wesley Jobello (Aaron Evans-Harriott 64’), David Bremang.
Unused sub: Cian Tyler
Northern Section Table:
Team |
Played |
Goal Difference |
Points |
Peterborough United |
3 |
+6 |
6 |
Sheffield United |
3 |
+5 |
6 |
Coventry City |
2 |
+3 |
6 |
Hull City |
3 |
-3 |
3 |
Barnsley |
3 |
-9 |
3 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
4 |
-8 |
1 |
Crewe Alexandra |
3 |
-6 |
0 |
Wigan Athletic |
3 |
-7 |
0 |