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FULL TIME: Town 2 Millwall 1
ANTHONY McNamee's deflected second half strike gave Town the perfect season finale this afternoon sealing a 2-1 win over Millwall.
Simon Cox's 16th goal of the season saw Town go in level at half time in this afternoon's final League One game of the season against Millwall at the County Ground.
The Town striker coolly converted from the penalty spot to level matters on 30 minutes after Michael Timlin tumbled in the area under the challenge of Paul Robinson.
Danny Senda headed the Lions ahead on seven minutes in a game that saw Sean Morrison given his full debut for Town .
The youth team centre-back came off the bench last week at Gillingham to replace the injured Jerel Ifil, and his 60-minute performance was enough to convince boss Maurice Malpas to start him against the Lions today.
Player of the season Miguel Comminges and fellow full-back Jack Smith were both missing, so in a midfield-dominated line-up Jon-Paul McGovern filled in at right-back alongside Jamie Vincent, Hasney Aljofree and Morrison.
Lee Peacock is also absent, so Billy Paynter was handed a start up front alongside top scorer Simon Cox.
On a youthful-looking bench, Patrick Kanyuka continued his comeback from a groin injury, alongside teenagers Kurt Hammonds, Ben Joyce and Nathan Thompson.
Former Town favourite Rhys Evans got the predictable jeers with his first touch at the County Ground since leaving the County Ground in 2006, but the Millwall stopper was soon the one laughing.
On seven minutes Ahmet Brkovic swung a free kick towards the far post, after being felled by Chris Allen, and Danny Senda rose unmarked to easily head past Peter Brezovan.
Town skipper Hasney Aljofree was left with two men and boss Maurice Malpas will know defending from set pieces will have to be tightened up over the summer.
Town almost hit back on 15 minutes, Paynter's low strike cleared off the line by Marcus Bignot after a clever through ball by Craig Easton.
Brezovan was then forced into action on 16 minutes, saving smartly from Marc Laird after Jamie Vincent's poor header, before Morrison brilliantly tackled Jay Simpson after he had broken through just minutes later.
The hosts should have been level on 20 minutes but Michael Timlin's weak header was easily pushed away by Evans after McGovern's volleyed cross looked certain to see the net bulging.
The equaliser came on the half hour mark though when Paul Robinson was harshly penalised for a foul on Timlin in the area and the ever-confident Cox coolly converted the resulting spot kick, for his 16th of the season.
Boosted by their slice of fortune, Malpas' men drove forward and almost siezed the initiative with McGovern's dipping 25-yard free kick that just flew over.
Millwall's Bas Savage was left claiming a penalty of his own on 40 minutes after being fouled by McGovern, but referee Mr Haywood gave the infringement just outside the area.
Paynter had the ball in the net, flicking in Timlin's clever chipped pass, but the linesman's flag ensured the teams were all level at the break.
Anthony McNamee gave Town the perfect start after the break, firing in his second Swindon goal from 20-yards on 50 minutes via a big deflection.
After a slight lull Paynter was then denied his first of the afternoon by a brilliant diving save by Evans. The former Town stopper dived to his right to palm Paynter's volley wide on 63 minutes.
Pat Kanyuka was then introduced to the action in place of Chris Allen, going straight to right back with McGovern pushed into his usual right midfield role.
Brezovan spared Kanyuka's blushes on 84 minutes, saving Neil Harris' header after the big defender had presented the ball to the visitors.
TOWN: Peter Brezovan, Jamie Vincent, Craig Easton, Jon-Paul McGovern, Hasney Aljofree, Michael Timlin, Billy Paynter (Ben Joyce 73), Chris Allen (Pat Kanyuka 63), Sean Morrison, Anthony McNamee, Simon Cox.
Subs: Phil Smith, Kurt Hammonds, Nathan Thompson.
MILLWALL: Rhys Evans, Danny Senda (Richard Shaw 45), Paul Robinson, Neil Harris, Bas Savage (Ryan Smith 54), Jay Simpson, Zoumana Bakayogo, Ahmet Brkovic, Marc Laird, Marcus Bignot, Jem Karacan (Ali Fuseini 69).
Subs: Preston Edwards, Danny Spiller.p>
4:45pm Saturday 3rd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: ih8oxford, Swindon on 5:47pm Sat 3 May 08
Woop! Woop!
We finish TOP.................
.of the bottom half!
It was an exciting match but ruined a tad by the lines men!
and there was no need for all them police!!!!
Wat am i gonna do on saturdays now????
Woop! Woop!
We finish TOP.................
.of the bottom half!
It was an exciting match but ruined a tad by the lines men!
and there was no need for all them police!!!!
Wat am i gonna do on saturdays now????
Posted by: Bryboy, Bratton on 6:37pm Sat 3 May 08
Well done Town....Nice to round a terrific season for a Town team which has witnessed unbelievable highs and frustrations. The club is now comfortably stable with visible changes going on around the club which was promised after the take over by Fitton. The club finished in a comfortable mid table position (after being tipped my many so called experts) to go down. Still question marks on Malpas and away form but we now have to give him his chance and get behind him.
Paul from Bratton .
Well done Town....Nice to round a terrific season for a Town team which has witnessed unbelievable highs and frustrations. The club is now comfortably stable with visible changes going on around the club which was promised after the take over by Fitton. The club finished in a comfortable mid table position (after being tipped my many so called experts) to go down. Still question marks on Malpas and away form but we now have to give him his chance and get behind him.
Paul from Bratton .
Posted by: Bryboy, Bratton on 6:37pm Sat 3 May 08
Well done Town....Nice to round a terrific season for a Town team which has witnessed unbelievable highs and frustrations. The club is now comfortably stable with visible changes going on around the club which was promised after the take over by Fitton. The club finished in a comfortable mid table position (after being tipped my many so called experts) to go down. Still question marks on Malpas and away form but we now have to give him his chance and get behind him.
Paul from Bratton .
Well done Town....Nice to round a terrific season for a Town team which has witnessed unbelievable highs and frustrations. The club is now comfortably stable with visible changes going on around the club which was promised after the take over by Fitton. The club finished in a comfortable mid table position (after being tipped my many so called experts) to go down. Still question marks on Malpas and away form but we now have to give him his chance and get behind him.
Paul from Bratton .
Posted by: spikey, Gloucester on 7:02pm Sat 3 May 08
All in all a typically bland and meaningless last game of the season. Everyone was just going through the motions. But what a completely ludicrous decision it was to bring in all those riot police - not to mention the police horses and helicopter outside ! What a total waste of money ! It risked creating trouble when there had been no danger of anything kicking off and it had the effect of unnecessarily inflating the reputation and egos of the few Millwall hardcore who bothered to turn up. They will be laughing all the way back to South east London! Well done again STFC and the Wiltshire Constabulary - you are unbelievable!
All in all a typically bland and meaningless last game of the season. Everyone was just going through the motions. But what a completely ludicrous decision it was to bring in all those riot police - not to mention the police horses and helicopter outside ! What a total waste of money ! It risked creating trouble when there had been no danger of anything kicking off and it had the effect of unnecessarily inflating the reputation and egos of the few Millwall hardcore who bothered to turn up. They will be laughing all the way back to South east London! Well done again STFC and the Wiltshire Constabulary - you are unbelievable!
Posted by: mgstfc, chippenham on 7:06pm Sat 3 May 08
Sean Morrison was a massive plus on an otherwise fairly dour afternoon. Did not seem at all "fazed" by the game and came up against some physical forward play. Superb game, well done.
I agree with the earlier post about the police presence - both sets of fans were really quiet until the police moved in and you could feel the atmosphere change, perhaps we should have used the stewards a bit more.
Still, good season, some significant plus points and Chief Exec Nick Watkins doing a great job for the fans.
Enjoy the summer....!!!!
Sean Morrison was a massive plus on an otherwise fairly dour afternoon. Did not seem at all "fazed" by the game and came up against some physical forward play. Superb game, well done.
I agree with the earlier post about the police presence - both sets of fans were really quiet until the police moved in and you could feel the atmosphere change, perhaps we should have used the stewards a bit more.
Still, good season, some significant plus points and Chief Exec Nick Watkins doing a great job for the fans.
Enjoy the summer....!!!!
Posted by: red_gilly, swindon on 7:24pm Sat 3 May 08
A great end to the season-- Glad we had two past Evans. I could not believe all that policing for 1,200 Millwall fans - most have cost a packet and the amount of police vans at the end taking them to the station wasamusin.
A great end to the season-- Glad we had two past Evans. I could not believe all that policing for 1,200 Millwall fans - most have cost a packet and the amount of police vans at the end taking them to the station wasamusin.
Posted by: glasred, glastonbury on 12:22am Sun 4 May 08
Good win to end the season..I reckon A.F got all those riot police in to help Persuade all us potential season ticket holders for next season that the county ground is a SAFE place to watch football.A bit ott but a good point made nonetheless. I realy do believe S.T.F.C is now on the up..YOU REDS!!!
Good win to end the season..I reckon A.F got all those riot police in to help Persuade all us potential season ticket holders for next season that the county ground is a SAFE place to watch football.A bit ott but a good point made nonetheless. I realy do believe S.T.F.C is now on the up..YOU REDS!!!
Posted by: timeofyourlife, swindon on 7:17am Sun 4 May 08
spot on game, crowd was excellent, even clapping that poor lad of the pitch was good.
It was an all round perfect match,
On the other hand there was no need for the 'police' to get so violent, ruff handed and cockey. I don't know if they enjoy getting pysichal but that was what started getting some fans angry and then that caused a little spark when the millwall lot came in.
But away from that, the main point was on the game!
GREAT!!!!
spot on game, crowd was excellent, even clapping that poor lad of the pitch was good.
It was an all round perfect match,
On the other hand there was no need for the 'police' to get so violent, ruff handed and cockey. I don't know if they enjoy getting pysichal but that was what started getting some fans angry and then that caused a little spark when the millwall lot came in.
But away from that, the main point was on the game!
GREAT!!!!
Posted by: danboyshearer, parksouth on 7:19am Sun 4 May 08
mo no doubt you have turned it round a bit in the last few weeks of the season i hope we can take this form into next season welldone mo and the boys
mo no doubt you have turned it round a bit in the last few weeks of the season i hope we can take this form into next season welldone mo and the boys
Posted by: Since1965, Exiled in Reading on 7:34am Sun 4 May 08
I agree with the comments about the huge police presence at the end but I suppose the Club was afraid of being accused of not being prepared if there had been trouble.
Much more worrying though were the lapses at the back. MM and everyone else have been going on about conceding from set plays and 6 minutes in we concede a goal from an unmarked player in the box. We nearly gave a point away at the end when we allowed Robinson a completely free header in the 6 yard box from Brkovic's cross. We must get our defensive marking sorted out on Aljofree and Vincent's side for next year. Morrison had a very good game though.
I hate the habit of taking the ball to the corner flag at the end and wasting time. It would have been much better to have continued to attack their goal and make it 3-1. Much better to watch too.
I agree with the comments about the huge police presence at the end but I suppose the Club was afraid of being accused of not being prepared if there had been trouble.
Much more worrying though were the lapses at the back. MM and everyone else have been going on about conceding from set plays and 6 minutes in we concede a goal from an unmarked player in the box. We nearly gave a point away at the end when we allowed Robinson a completely free header in the 6 yard box from Brkovic's cross. We must get our defensive marking sorted out on Aljofree and Vincent's side for next year. Morrison had a very good game though.
I hate the habit of taking the ball to the corner flag at the end and wasting time. It would have been much better to have continued to attack their goal and make it 3-1. Much better to watch too.
Posted by: clive elliott, bradford on 11:09am Sun 4 May 08
nice end to the season, now maurice get the fans on your side for the upcoming season, two good signings allready, try hard to keep mig, as he is good, so lets go for it next season we know you can do it, oh and af once again for saving our club, have a good break all of you and come back next season,with determination, and lets get out of this league i have faith in you all
nice end to the season, now maurice get the fans on your side for the upcoming season, two good signings allready, try hard to keep mig, as he is good, so lets go for it next season we know you can do it, oh and af once again for saving our club, have a good break all of you and come back next season,with determination, and lets get out of this league i have faith in you all
Posted by: Stfc Romain, swindon on 12:22pm Sun 4 May 08
WELL malpas ITS UP 2 YOU KNOW.LETS SEA WHAT YOU GOT.Hope he can get in a good wing back. 2 defenders,1 midfield. 1 more up front...
WELL malpas ITS UP 2 YOU KNOW.LETS SEA WHAT YOU GOT.Hope he can get in a good wing back. 2 defenders,1 midfield. 1 more up front...
Posted by: janaage, Swindon on 1:03pm Sun 4 May 08
Well suddenly the end of season form doesn't look that bad W5 D2 L5 = 17pts. And more entertaining football than Sturrock was producing.
Can't wait for next season, hopefully MM will be able to bring in a few new faces, so we can finally tell those negative Motherwell fans to keep their opinion of our gaffer to themselves.
Have a good summer folks.
Well suddenly the end of season form doesn't look that bad W5 D2 L5 = 17pts. And more entertaining football than Sturrock was producing.
Can't wait for next season, hopefully MM will be able to bring in a few new faces, so we can finally tell those negative Motherwell fans to keep their opinion of our gaffer to themselves.
Have a good summer folks.
Posted by: Stfc Romain, swindon on 5:53pm Sun 4 May 08
[quote][bold]janaage[/bold] wrote:
Well suddenly the end of season form doesn't look that bad W5 D2 L5 = 17pts. And more entertaining football than Sturrock was producing. Can't wait for next season, hopefully MM will be able to bring in a few new faces, so we can finally tell those negative Motherwell fans to keep their opinion of our gaffer to themselves. Have a good summer folks.[/quote] not my gaffer. i think he is not good enough 4 stfc, by a long way
janaage wrote:
Well suddenly the end of season form doesn't look that bad W5 D2 L5 = 17pts. And more entertaining football than Sturrock was producing. Can't wait for next season, hopefully MM will be able to bring in a few new faces, so we can finally tell those negative Motherwell fans to keep their opinion of our gaffer to themselves. Have a good summer folks.
not my gaffer. i think he is not good enough 4 stfc, by a long way
Posted by: Simply Red, Berkshire on 7:26pm Sun 4 May 08
Really entertaining afternoons football. I thought we played some good fluid football at times. Very impressed with Sean Morrison at the back looks quality!
Only downside the two muppet linesman who need to swot up on the offside laws as they continually tried to spoil the game with unecessary flag waving all afternoon.
Really entertaining afternoons football. I thought we played some good fluid football at times. Very impressed with Sean Morrison at the back looks quality!
Only downside the two muppet linesman who need to swot up on the offside laws as they continually tried to spoil the game with unecessary flag waving all afternoon.
Posted by: coxy808, Swindon on 2:58pm Mon 5 May 08
I have to admit that i am actually getting use to Maurice Malpas, at first I wasn't sure about him but now I don't mind! Shame about Comminges, could have had a great day if it weren't for him not signing his contract, but never mind, it's his decision, I heard that cardiff don't even want him anymore! Sean Morrinson was Brilliant though! I think Jeral Ifil will have a tough Job getting his place back! Wasn't too immpresed with Billy Paynter, so I think Corr will get his place back as soon as he recovers. Hopefully we will pick up next season as we left off!
I have to admit that i am actually getting use to Maurice Malpas, at first I wasn't sure about him but now I don't mind! Shame about Comminges, could have had a great day if it weren't for him not signing his contract, but never mind, it's his decision, I heard that cardiff don't even want him anymore! Sean Morrinson was Brilliant though! I think Jeral Ifil will have a tough Job getting his place back! Wasn't too immpresed with Billy Paynter, so I think Corr will get his place back as soon as he recovers. Hopefully we will pick up next season as we left off!
Posted by: TonyJanson, Chippenham on 5:59pm Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]spikey[/bold] wrote:
All in all a typically bland and meaningless last game of the season. Everyone was just going through the motions. But what a completely ludicrous decision it was to bring in all those riot police - not to mention the police horses and helicopter outside ! What a total waste of money ! It risked creating trouble when there had been no danger of anything kicking off and it had the effect of unnecessarily inflating the reputation and egos of the few Millwall hardcore who bothered to turn up. They will be laughing all the way back to South east London! Well done again STFC and the Wiltshire Constabulary - you are unbelievable! [/quote] STFC obviously looked to the Wiltshire Constabulary for a suitable police presence. Millwall supporters are known to be fickle away from The Den and contain a dangerous rabble aren`t they ? Thank you STFC for taking steps to ensure our safety.
spikey wrote:
All in all a typically bland and meaningless last game of the season. Everyone was just going through the motions. But what a completely ludicrous decision it was to bring in all those riot police - not to mention the police horses and helicopter outside ! What a total waste of money ! It risked creating trouble when there had been no danger of anything kicking off and it had the effect of unnecessarily inflating the reputation and egos of the few Millwall hardcore who bothered to turn up. They will be laughing all the way back to South east London! Well done again STFC and the Wiltshire Constabulary - you are unbelievable!
STFC obviously looked to the Wiltshire Constabulary for a suitable police presence. Millwall supporters are known to be fickle away from The Den and contain a dangerous rabble aren`t they ? Thank you STFC for taking steps to ensure our safety.
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