"Claridge for England" was the teasing chant of the Millwall fans after
veteran striker Steve Claridge scored the goal that almost gave the First
Division team a shock fourth-round victory at the St Mary's Stadium.
Saints fans have been calling for their own strike hero, James Beattie, to
earn a senior England call as he has been in a rich vein of scoring form.
But 24-year-old Beattie was upstaged by 36-year-old Claridge, who silenced the
Southampton boo-boys with the 17th-minute goal that looked like sending Millwall
into the fifth round for the first time in eight years.
It would have completed a hat-trick of embarrassing upsets for Saints, who
have were dumped out of this competition by lower division opposition in the
past two seasons, having been knocked out by Rotherham last season and Tranmere
the year before.
But substitute Kevin Davies - on loan to Millwall earlier in the season - came
to Southampton's rescue when he scored a dramatic equaliser two minutes before
the end, to earn a replay at The New Den a week on Tuesday.
Claridge was taunted because he used to play for local rivals Portsmouth. But
he summed up the magic of the FA Cup with his 12th goal of the season, scoring
for the fifth match in a row.
The goal came after Millwall won a free-kick on the right touchline when
Michael Svensson fouled Matt Lawrence. The ball was curled into the box by
Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Reid, nodded down by Paul Robinson and
Claridge nipped ahead of Svensson to sweep the ball home from inside the
six-yard box.
Millwall survived a Saints onslaught and looked like holding out until Davies
struck with his late leveller.
Jo Tessem's shot was beaten away by goalkeeper Tony Warner, but the loose ball
fell kindly for Davies and he fired the equaliser into the roof of the net from
six yards.
Southampton started brightly, as you would expect from a team riding high in
the Premiership and on a run of just one defeat in their last 11 matches, and
might have scored after 90 seconds.
The ball was worked nicely down the right flank and crossed low in to Anders
Svensson, but his shot from eight yards hit the legs of defender Paul Robinson.
However, it was Millwall who missed an open goal after eight minutes, although
Francis Benali came to Southampton's rescue with a goal-line clearance.
Paul Ifill intercepted Michael Svensson's back pass on the edge of the penalty
area and took the ball round goalkeeper Antti Niemi. The young striker had been
forced wide and Claridge arrived to support him and ended up shooting towards
the unguarded goal.
It was heading for the far corner but lacked sufficient pace and Benali -
making his first start for 16 months - slid in to clear.
Millwall took the lead and then survived an amazing goalmouth scramble when
the ball was cleared off the line three times after 30 minutes.
First, Michael Svensson hit the post and then as the loose ball bounced around
in the six-yard box Beattie, Michael and Anders Svensson all saw their efforts
kept out by a combination of defenders Darren Ward, Robinson and goalkeeper
Warner.
Millwall were pinned inside their own half at the start of the second period
but defended in numbers and kept Saints largely at bay.
However, after 51 minutes Ormerod turned well on the edge of the penalty area
and hit a good shot, but Warner dived to his right and made the save.
Michael Svensson was not having a good day and he was teased by Ifill who ran
at him inside the box after 73 minutes. But when the shot came in Niemi came to
the rescue by saving with his legs once more.
Saints defended the corner and broke immediately, and Tessem was in on goal as
he closed in from the left flank. He had only Warner to beat, but the goalkeeper
stood his ground and saved the striker's shot.
Claridge almost sealed a famous victory after 87 minutes but his shot from 25
yards was beaten away from Niemi - before Millwall's hearts were shattered a
minute later.
Saints hit back and Davies broke the Londoners' hearts with his late strike to
take this tie to a replay.
It was probably the best result for rival managers Gordon Strachan and Mark
McGhee, who have been close friends since playing together at Aberdeen under Sir
Alex Ferguson. Their friendship will be tested on another day.
Teams:
Southampton: Niemi, Telfer, Williams, Michael Svensson, Benali,
Fernandes (Davies 78), Delap, Oakley, Anders Svensson,
Ormerod (Tessem 58), Beattie (Marsden 78).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Dodd.
Booked: Ormerod.
Goals: Davies 90.
Millwall: Warner, Lawrence, Ward, Robinson, Ryan, Ifill, Wise,
Hearn, Livermore, Reid, Claridge (Braniff 90).
Subs Not Used: Gueret, Bull, Sweeney, Baltacha.
Booked: Lawrence.
Goals: Claridge 17.
Att: 23,809
Ref: M Messias (N Yorkshire).
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