English Division One Club Millwall FC under-20s defeated Tobago United 2-0 in the second match of the Clico Cup day one fixture at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago on Saturday night to the disappointment of the home fans.
Millwall’s Tom Killbey and Michael Noone were the heroes on the night registering a goal on either side of the half respectively.
The match started in high gear with Millwall and Tobago United going hard at each other exciting the crowd that came out to support the competition, which is the first of its kind in Tobago.
The first real attempt of the match came from the home team when Collie Hurcules 24 yard free kick was tipped out for a corner by Millwall goalkeeper Tommy Crowther.
Tobago United’s Garth Woodley and Marvin Phillips started to show a lot of promise for the home team, but that was soon lost when the Millwall youths stepped up to another gear.
It was more of a middle of the park battle with Millwall pushing the home team in their corner for most of the first period.
Their offensive plan worked when in the 17th minute Tom Killbey slotted the ball into the Tobago net through a host of defenders after goalkeeper Andrew Durant failed to collect the ball at the edge of his area, Millwall taking a 1-0 lead.
The local fans were treated to a match of great intensity, as Tobago didn’t sit back. They tried desperately to even the playing field with some powerful runs and tough tackles, but at the end of 45 minutes Peter Granville’s men could not find an equalizer.
It was surely a tough night for Tobago United’s defender Simon Nedd who was called to action on numerous occasions and did extremely well.
While Millwall’s Michael Noone was in great form leading players like Gary Noel and others and the entire team showed lots of confidence against the Caribbean Club.
For Tobago there was the lone figure of Garth Woodley up front and that proved to be worthless, as he was always overwhelmed when the Pro League team attacked.
Early into the second period Millwall doubled their lead. Michael Noone volleyed in a right sided cross from Greg palmer in the 48th minute to beat goalkeeper Andrew Durant for the 2-0 score.
But after that the match turned into a sore sight, as both teams were having difficulty settling after the break.
Tobago United’s Dominique Kerr wasted a great opportunity inside the Millwall area when he took forever to shoot, only to put the ball over the bar to the dismay of his teammates.
The Pro League Club then tried to make the best of a couple of free kicks. In the 74th minute Collie Hurcules placed his 20-yard free kick just wide of goalkeeper Tommy Crowther’s upright.
And in the 82nd minute Marvin Phillips tried his luck from a 24 yard free kick but was way off target when his shot flew over bar.
Millwall had lost goal scorer Michael Noone who headed the ball badly injuring himself over the left eye and he was replaced by Freedom Piggot a player who had spent part of last season with Pro League Club CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh.
Piggot was called into action early but just wasn’t focused enough and fumbled a couple of passes wayward as both teams anticipated the final whistle.
Millwall’s David Amoo had the final and most promising attack of the second period but he missed the target as his team held on for the 2-0 win against the local team.
In the end Coach Peter Granville’s seven-second half changes didn’t work for his team as the results remained in favor of the visitors.
The English Club would now prepare to take on another Tobago based Club, St Clair Coaching School on Monday in day two of the Clico Cup, while Tobago United prepare themselves to face Jabloteh.
Teams
Millwall FC under-20s full list of players—Ben Payne(Capt.), Tommy Crowther(GK), Andrew Callaghan, Darren Ebsworth, Joe O’Rourke, Bill Jeffreys, Gary Noel, Tom Killbey, Greg Palmer, Sam Higgins, Michael Noone, David Amoo, Adam Lisney, Danny Keen, Jay Semper, Pat O’Connor, Freedom Piggot.
Goal Scorers—Tom Killbey 17’, Michael Noone 48’.
Technical Director—Joe Little
Tobago United—Kevin Adams(Capt.), Andrew Durant, Simon Nedd, Darryl James, Joel Alleyne, Shelton Williams, Pierre Joseph, Jimmiel Smith, Marvin Phillips, Collie Hercules, Garth Woodley.
Substitutes—Goeffrey Delpesche(GK), Leslie Bristol, Tichard Joseph, Valton Braithwaite, Dominique Kerr, Keon Samuel, Leandro Williams.
Coach—Peter Granville