Millwall - 12th March - 24/25
Leeds United V Millwall
Wednesday 12th March 2025 - Elland Road
2024/25 Season
After seemingly meeting myself coming backwards, I had to revert to Shanks Pony (walking in other words) for most of the day and whilst I’ve enjoyed it, I’d slowed up by the end of the game. I decided to catch a train into Leeds as my daughter was coming straight from work and I’d come back home with her afterwards. With it being a rail replacement transport, it turned out to be our regular driver from our away coach who brought me to Leeds. A big thank you to Arne one of our Norwegian Whites who gave me a present of a Leeds cup with my name in it which was greatly appreciated. He’d bought some memorabilia for his museum, and it was lovely to see he had a silk scarf with the 1972 FA Cup Final on it which was my favourite ever game. Whilst meeting him at Billy’s statue, a few fans asked me what I thought the score would be, but I don’t predict scores as I always get them wrong. I did say we had to win though as it was important we picked up the points tonight as QPR is another ground that hasn’t been good for us. Getting something from that game too will keep the pressure on the other teams around us too. It was nice to finally meet up with Craig and sign my Follow Me and Leeds United book that he had bought.
Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Tanaka, Firpo, Rothwell, Piroe, James, Solomon, Aaronson.
Subs: Gruev for Rothwell (86), Byram for Bogle (86), Gnonto for Solomon (86), Ramazani for James (90+1), Joseph for Piroe (90+1).
Subs not used: Darlow, Guilavogui, Debayo, Chambers.
Leeds won the game 2-0 with an own goal from Cooper (3) and Tanaka (85).
Attendance: 34,401, 391 Millwall fans.
Referee: Dean Whitestone.
Booked: Unbelievably none from Millwall.
Leeds started off at a blistering pace after being turned around by Millwall, so we were attacking the Kop in the first half. I hadn’t realised the goal was so early in the game as Solomon sent a low shot along the byline that ended up in the net at the near post courtesy of Millwall’s captain. That set the tone for Leeds to keep attacking which is the best form of defence and it showed tonight as we limited Millwall to very few attacks. Millwall were chopping our players down left, right and centre but the referee never gave a yellow card out. I was half expecting us to challenge them and get the first card but thankfully we didn’t. We were attacking in droves, and Aaronson had a shot saved by their keeper. Leeds scored a second goal that was disallowed for offside after good work in the penalty area from Aaronson gave Piroe the chance to put the ball into the net. I was convinced it wasn’t offside and according to half time reports; this was confirmed to be the case. It would have made a difference by taking any pressure off us. The sting was taken out of the game as their player went down injured. He went off the pitch at the slowest pace to be subbed, only to take forever and the referee to let them do it.
The second half saw Leeds come close a couple of times from Aaronson and Solomon as frustration started to creep into some of our support as we wanted to make changes. Millwall sent a long range shot that Meslier kept out of the net by pushing it around the corner of the post. Fears were that they were going to pile the pressure on us now but we needn’t have worried. As it was Farke stuck with the same players despite play dropping off but with five minutes of normal time left, he looked to the bench. At that moment, I thought the players on the pitch would now push to score in case they were going off which did happen. Another good move saw play switch from the right-hand side as Solomon passed to Firpo on the left wing. He looked up and sent a perfect pass across the box which Solomon left, and Tanaka hit a blistering shot into the top corner to seal the victory. Another clean sheet, win and a welcome three points took us back to the top of the table as we head to QPR on Saturday for another early start and kick off.
See you there, LUFC – Marching on Together!
