Goals from Steve Claridge, Robbie Ryan, Paul Ifill and Peter Sweeney stretched
injury-hit Millwall's unbeaten home run to eight matches in a comprehensive 4-0
victory over woeful Watford at the New Den.
Claridge struck his third goal in four games from close range to give the
Lions an early lead, and fullback Ryan doubled their advantage before the break
with his second of the season.
Ifill scored an eyecatching third after a wonderful piece of skill, and even
substitute Sweeney got in on the act with a marvellous curled effort which found
the top corner.
Watford looked a team who had not won on their travels since ctober, and
rarely threatened to win their first league game in four attempts despite an
erratic display from Lions goalkeeper Tony Warner.
The home side were ahead in the ninth minute when Allan Nielsen gifted
possession to Ifill, and his low drive was turned into the net from six yards by
Claridge.
His eighth of the season gave Millwall the perfect start, but Watford could
have been level after 15 minutes.
Arsenal loan star Jermaine Pennant's mazy run bamboozled their makeshift
defence, and his reverse pass found Gifton Noel-Williams in space.
But Warner was alert to the danger, racing off his line to block with his
legs. Moments later Nielsen fluffed his lines in front of goal, sending a decent
chance over the crossbar from six yards.
The Lions were without defenders Stuart Nethercott (groin), Joe Dolan (knee)
and Mark Phillips (hamstring), and looked far from secure at the back.
Manager Mark McGhee gave 21-year-old Paul Robinson his full debut, and he
tested Alec Chamberlain with a volley from a Dennis Wise cross in the 34th
minute.
But it was Robbie Ryan who doubled the lead in the 41st minute after Steven
Reid's long throw had caused chaos in the Watford penalty area, drilling home
Ifill's lay-off under the body of the Hornets keeper.
Kevin Braniff, in for the injured Neil Harris, should have put the result
beyond doubt early in the second half but lofted waywardly high with only
Chamberlain to beat.
And former Hornet Darren Ward came to Millwall's rescue to spare the blushes
of keeper Warner with a timely clearance after some theatrics in his own penalty
area.
But things became embarrassing for the visitors when Ifilll waltzed
comfortably past a feeble challenge from Wayne Brown to chip neatly over
Chamberlain and underline Millwall's dominance.
And when Sweeney came on to loft a spectacular 20-yard shot over Chamberlain
at the death, Watford's 700 travelling fans began filing out in disgust.
Teams
Millwall: Warner, Lawrence, Ward, Robinson, Ryan,
Ifill (Hearn 85), Livermore, Wise, Reid (Sweeney 80), Braniff,
Claridge.
Subs Not Used: Gueret, Kinet, Dunne.
Booked: Claridge, Lawrence.
Goals: Claridge 10, Ryan 41, Ifill 78, Sweeney 89.
Watford: Chamberlain, Ardley, Gayle, Cox, Brown, Pennant,
Vernazza, Hyde (Mahon 83), Nielsen (McNamee 59),
Helguson (Tommy Smith 59), Noel-Williams.
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Lee.
Booked: Cox, Helguson, Ardley.
Att: 9,030
Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).
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