Ten Years Ago: Millwall enter The Valley of Dearth
Only one senior match took place in Britain on 1 January 1995 and it was a 12 noon kick off between Charlton and Millwall. 130 police were on duty in the ground, a police helicopter hovered overhead and a fire engine was standing by. It was a cold day with a bitter wind.
Headline writers in the press had nicknamed Charlton 'The Valley of Dearth' because of the number of injuries to the squad. Millwall had experienced a startling series of victories that had moved them from the fringes of the relegation battle to a position in sight of a play off place. (They ended the season mid-table, a few places ahead of Charlton).
Charlton's first chance fell to Leaburn in the 16th minute. However, as he told the programme 'There is more to my game than scoring goals.' Keith Jones had started a good move with a cross from the right with Bennett turning provider but Leaburn headed straight at Kasey Keller. It was Alex Rae, always a popular figure with the Valley crowd, that put the visitors ahead after 33 minutes with a shot from 30 yards out.
In the second half Mark Robson broke free on the left. His diagonal cross eluded Leaburn, but Robinson was forging in behind the lanky striker in case he failed to connect and headed the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
Mortimer was brought down in the penalty area on 88 minutes by Danny Chapman, but referee Mr Leach decided he wanted to get back home to Wolverhampton in safety and waved play on. Charlton had played well but were unable to make it three home wins in a row.
Headline writers in the press had nicknamed Charlton 'The Valley of Dearth' because of the number of injuries to the squad. Millwall had experienced a startling series of victories that had moved them from the fringes of the relegation battle to a position in sight of a play off place. (They ended the season mid-table, a few places ahead of Charlton).
Charlton's first chance fell to Leaburn in the 16th minute. However, as he told the programme 'There is more to my game than scoring goals.' Keith Jones had started a good move with a cross from the right with Bennett turning provider but Leaburn headed straight at Kasey Keller. It was Alex Rae, always a popular figure with the Valley crowd, that put the visitors ahead after 33 minutes with a shot from 30 yards out.
In the second half Mark Robson broke free on the left. His diagonal cross eluded Leaburn, but Robinson was forging in behind the lanky striker in case he failed to connect and headed the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
Mortimer was brought down in the penalty area on 88 minutes by Danny Chapman, but referee Mr Leach decided he wanted to get back home to Wolverhampton in safety and waved play on. Charlton had played well but were unable to make it three home wins in a row.
posted by Wyn Grant at 3:21 PM
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