Millwall 0-0 West Ham United FT

MILLWALL v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 12.30PM

FULL AUDIO COVERAGE - WEST HAM TV

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Final score - Millwall 0-0 West Ham United

94 mins - Four seconds over the three minutes and the final whistle is blown. A point apiece and both sets of players receive a decent round of applause from their respective sets of supporters. West Ham extend their league unbeaten run to six matches and are, for now at least, up to third in the table. Don't forget to keep a close eye on whufc.com and West Ham TV for exclusive post-match reaction. Also, don't forget to watch the Football League Show on BBC 1 tonight!

93 mins - Into the final minute and the Hammers are on the attack. They have a throw deep inside the Millwall half, but can't do anything with it. This will be the first 0-0 draw between the two sides since 25 January 1947.

92 mins - The Under-18s won 3-1 at Coventry City this morning - their fifth successive win to start the new season.

90 mins - Faubert has the ball in the net from Baldock's hooked pass, but he's just offside. We'll have three minutes of added time, at least.

88 mins - A final change from Millwall as 'Guessan replaces Mkandawire. He is involved almost immediately, racing down the inside-right channel and shooting low. Green shows outstanding handling at his near post.

87 mins - Another chance! Baldock holds up and finds Cole. He gets past one defender and then lays the ball left for Bentley. He beats his man and cuts the ball back, but Nolan can't get in front of his man. Faubert follows up, but his touch lets him down at the vital moment.

86 mins - Noble is shown a yellow card for dissent.

84 mins - McCartney lifts the ball down the left touchline for Baldock. Robinson comes across and clears. Bentley lifts a cross in but it's too high. Cole collects and lays off to Faubert, but he overhits his cross again. Shame.

81 mins - Both teams are going for the win. No sitting back here... Henry is there to get on to Trotter's cross, but his backheel is easy for Green to collect. West Ham go straight up the other end and Faubert's cross is too deep. Nolan retrieves and finds Bentley, but his cross is headed clear.

80 mins - It's approaching the final stages as Bentley and Faubert combine before the former wins a corner off Stewart. With Taylor off, Bentley takes it. He floats the ball over and it's easy for Forde.

78 mins - Noble picks up the ball inside the Millwall half. He passes to Bentley, who elects to shoot from 35 yards. It's on target this time, but Forde makes a fairly routine save.

76 mins - What a chance! Cole runs on to Faubert's pass before holding up play and finding the Frenchman in support. He shoots low and Forde can only parry. Bentley is there, but can only shoot wide from no more than eight yards.

74 mins - Sam Baldock will be on shortly. Can he make his own premonition come true and become a hero? It's Lansbury who is replaced for the debutant.

73 mins - Henry and Marquis combine down the inside-left channel for the Lions. Faye tries to get across, but the No9 gets his shot away. Green catches at his near post.

72 mins - Faye wins a thundering header that bounces forward to Faubert. He turns neatly and finds McCartney in space. The full-back crosses and Cole wins it. Forde dives to his left to make the save.

71 mins - Good hassling by the Hammers forces Forde to slice his clearance. Dunne can only help the ball into the stand.

69 mins - Cole heads clear at the near post and Faubert does superbly. He wins the ball, holds it up and releases Lansbury down the right. He races down the channel before looking up and lofting a cross in for Nolan. The skipper tries to convert with a diving header, but it's straight at Forde.

69 mins - Henry again, getting to the byline and winning a corner off O'Brien. The home fans raise the noise levels again...

68 mins - Millwall attack through Henry, who tries to beat O'Brien on his inside. The ball rolls square for Simpson, but he can only lob the ball high in the air for Green to collect.

66 mins - Faubert holds off his man about 35 yards out before he is fouled by Stewart. Bentley's delivery is short and Millwall clear. It's three-on-two but Simpson pushes the ball too far, allowing O'Brien to make a vital challenge. Phew!

64 mins - Millwall manager Kenny Jackett responds with two changes of his own. Henry and Simpson are on for Feeney and Bouazza.

62 mins - Faye steps in with a big size 12 boot to steal the ball. Faubert, Lansbury and Noble pop the ball around before Bentley releases McCartney again. He tries to beat his man but loses out. That's a shame. Signs that West Ham are taking control.

61 mins - It doesn't take long for Bentley to get involved. He combines well with McCartney down the left before standing a cross up, but all the claret and blue shirts had run to the near post.

59 mins - It's Matt Taylor who is replaced. He runs to the touchline and high-fives Bentley as he is replaced. Bentley looks as if he will play wide on the left of the front three.

58 mins - I spoke too soon, David Bentley is receiving some instructions from McDonald and Allardyce and will be on soon.

57 mins - There is a substitute out warming up, but it's Millwall's James Henry.

55 mins - Faubert nips in again and finds Nolan. He comes forward before feeding McCartney. Noble finds Lansbury, whose shot from 30 yards is blocked and spins into the penalty area. Cole swings his left foot at the ball as it drops, but slices behind for a goal kick. It's not quite clicked in the final third, so far.

53 mins - Jordan Stewart takes on Faubert down the Millwall left. He tries to cross and the ball hits the Frenchman and goes behind. The corner from Bouazza is to the near post and Cole volleys clear. Faubert wins a free-kick on halfway. Good stuff from the visitors.

51 mins - Marquis flicks on for Bouazza. The winger has plenty of space down the left, but instead of waiting for support, he shoots wildly from near the touchline and finds the upper tier behind the goal containing the West Ham supporters.

51 mins - Big Sam is out on the edge of his technical area scratching his chin. I wonder if he is considering what would be a second change of the afternoon. The manager certainly has some firepower on the bench.

48 mins - No pattern to the second half yet. Nolan loses a 50-50 in midfield and the ball breaks to Mkandawire. He shoots from all of 30 yards and the ball sails over Green's crossbar and lands on a large tarpaulin with a Lion logo on it.

46 mins - The Hammers get things going again. No changes from either manager at the break.

Half-time score - Millwall 0-0 West Ham United

49 mins - Just over the three added minutes and the half-time whistle is blown. Goalless at the break, but we could have had a couple of goals at either end. Lansbury has gone closest for the Hammers on no fewer than three occasions. For Millwall, Trotter missed the best chance, while Mkandawire might also think he could have done better early on. Join us again shortly for the second half.

47 mins - Cole is the latest player to need the physio on. He'll be OK to continue, though.

46 mins - Into the first of three added minutes and Trotter runs at McCartney before stabbing in a cross. Reid heads it high and Abdou gets there first. He takes a touch and shoots, but again the ball goes over the top.

45 mins - Faubert drives diagonally forward before finding Cole. He turns the ball left for McCartney, but the left-back's cross is too close to Forde, who catches.

44 mins - Fantastic chance for Millwall. Bouazza again swings the ball over and Trotter ghosts into the box. He flings himself at the ball and catches it on the volley with his right foot, but cannot direct it on target. Good, good chance for the Lions.

43 mins - Millwall's major threat has definitely come down their left flank through Bouazza. He crosses low and Reid hacks the ball out of the stadium through the gap between the stands. It's a corner. The ball is swung over and Green punches well before Taylor heads the ball out for a throw on halfway.

40 mins - Faubert does well there, racing on to Green's long clearance and controlling with his head before smashing a volley just over. To be fair, the angle was against Faubert. He did well to create the chance for himself with his pace. The No18 has been heavily involved today.

39 mins - The game has got a bit stretched in recent minutes. Both sides are throwing men forward when they attack. Cole mis-controls on halfway and then brings down Dunne. The right-back goes down as if he's been hurt... Mason books the striker. Dunne gets up.

36 mins - West Ham break again and Nolan slides a pass through for Cole. Ward gets back well with a challenge and the chance is lost. Millwall break and Bouazza's cross flicks off Reid's head and behind. The corner to the near post is headed clear by Cole.

36 mins - Another break in play as Mkandawire needs the physio on again. This time it's his leg, I think. The No17 has certainly been in the wars today!

35 mins - Oh so close for the Hammers! McCartney skips past a challenge and crosses. Forde fumbles it, but makes up for his error by blocking Lansbury's shot. The midfielder recovers possession and shoots high towards the top corner, only for Robinson to get back and head off the line.

34 mins - The home side are probably still just about edging this in terms of overall possession and territory. Marquis collects and spins about 25 yards out, but his shot flies well over and into the stand.

33 mins - A Millwall player concedes a throw but won't get off the ball for Faubert to take it. There is another slight melee and Mr Mason steps in again. Both sets of players just need to count to ten here!

31 mins - O'Brien and Marquis have a tussle out near the touchline before the Millwall player loses control. The little conversation continues until Mr Mason steps in and has a word of his own.

30 mins - Green belts the ball out near halfway and the substitution can be made. Tomkins walks off and Reid comes on.

28 mins - Faye intercepts and finds Lansbury, who releases Cole with a fantastic 50-yard ball down the left channel. Cole gets there first but has little support. He cuts inside and shoots, but it is blocked.

27 mins - He isn't just fine. Tomkins signals to the bench that he needs to be replaced. Winston Reid is called back by Big Sam.

25 mins - Tomkins looks just fine, rising above two Millwall players to head Forde's long clearance away. Noble follows up and wins a throw off Mkandawire. West Ham keep up the pressure and Faubert crosses. Millwall scramble the ball clear, but Cole picks up possession on the edge of the box and finds McCartney. The left-back swings his right foot at the ball, but it curls high and wide of the far post.

24 mins - Millwall concede a throw on halfway and Tomkins is back on. The No5 has been in imperious form this season, so let's hope it's nothing too serious.

23 mins - During the break in play, substitute Carew is out warming-up and has some advice for McCartney.

22 mins - Millwall win another corner off a busy O'Brien. Again the delivery isn't great and the ball sails over the heads of everybody. Tomkins needs the physio on for what looks like a groin problem.

21 mins - West Ham clear and build down their left. A neat touch from Nolan sees him swap passes with Lansbury and he is in behind. His cross towards Cole doesn't find the striker because he has gone down under a challenge from Ward. Nothing given by referee Mason.

20 mins - Millwall break from West Ham's free-kick and O'Brien commits a foul wide on the Millwall left. A chance for the hosts to deliver some quality into the box. The ball comes over and O'Brien himself heads clear.

19 mins - A long clearance towards Taylor sees the midfielder challenged by Dunne. Taylor doesn't like the challenge and referee Mason agrees, showing the right-back a yellow card.

18 mins - Millwall should lead. Marquis gets in behind Faye and is clear. O'Brien gets back and puts the striker off sufficiently that he shoots too close to Green. The stopper makes the save and pounces on the loose ball before a Millwall player can get to it. Good save.

17 mins - Noble lofts a fine pass over the top for Cole to chase. He has the run on Robinson, but decides to shoot first time. It doesn't have the pace to trouble Forde.

16 mins - Better. Lansbury and Faubert combine with headers down the left for Cole to chase. He wins a throw. McCartney takes it, then crosses, but it's too long for Nolan and rolls out for a Millwall throw.

14 mins - Lansbury tries to slide a pass through for the overlapping O'Brien, but it is cut out. The midfielder raises his hand in apology. West Ham need to have a spell of possession here to take some of the sting out of the game, and quieten the home crowd a bit!

13 mins - After a couple of minutes, Mkandawire emerges with a big bandage wrapped around his head. He makes his way to the touchline and we restart with the ball being punted back to Green. Meanwhile, Mkandawire is back on again.

11 mins - The physio is needed as Mkandawire goes down after an aerial challenge in midfield. The No17 appears to have a facial injury. He goes down clutching his head and sits on the turf while he receives attention.

10 mins - To be fair to the home side, they have started the brighter and Green is tested by a low drive from Bouazza. The goalkeeper gets his body in the way and the ball spins behind for a corner. The delivery bounces to Mkandawire about eight yards out, but his effort flies a couple of yards wide.

7 mins - Sorry for the slight delay in coverage - internet connection issues! Tomkins is adjudged to have knocked the ball behind for another corner, but I'm not sure he touched it. It matters not, as referee Mason blows for an infringement inside the box. Free-kick for Green to take.

4 mins - Millwall win a corner but Taylor heads powerfully clear and Faubert completes the clearance with his head. Millwall have started well here.

2 mins - Nolan tries to send Cole away, but Ward comes across to clear and McCartney is penalised for handball. The fre-kick comes to nothing.

1 min - Ridiculous start! Millwall kick-off before goalkeeper Forde is ready and Lansbury shoots from 40 yards at the empty net but the ball drifts just wide. If that had gone in, there might have been a bit of an issue!

12.30pm - The two captains, Nolan and Robinson, are called together by referee Lee Mason. The teams swap ends, so West Ham will be shooting towards their own supporters during the opening 45 minutes. Robert Green trots towards the home supporters and gets a nice welcome!

12.28pm - Here come the two teams to a crescendo of noise. Meanwhile, can you spot your friends in this picture?

Millwall

12.23pm - It's amazing the two clubs have only met 24 times previously. The PA announcer goes through the teams for the 25th meeting, but you can't hear the West Ham names being announced because of the noise. Millwall goalkeeper David Forde was with West Ham as a youngster.

12.20pm - The ground is filling up and the atmosphere is getting better by the minute. The West Ham fans have the stand to my left to themselves, with the lower tier left empty. The three other stands - one of which I'm sat in the middle of - are full of Lions supporters! The home faithful welcome Keith Stevens and Stuart Nethercott on to the pitch, both of them of course being former Millwall centre-backs.

12.05pm - Here are a few images to give you a feel of things at The Den -

Millwall

The Hammers emerge from the tunnel for their pre-match warm-up

Millwall

Robert Green goes through some exercises with Martyn Margetson

Millwall

Mark Noble, Matt Taylor, Julien Faubert and Henri Lansbury prepare

12pm - The players of both teams are out on the pitch for their pre-match warm-ups. Suffice to say, the Lions got a warmer welcome than the Hammers. The ground is only about a quarter-full, so I imaging the decibel level will go up considerably by the time we get going in just under half an hour!

11.45am - Chairman David Gold has been down to the tunnel for a quick chat with manager Sam Allardyce. The dressing rooms are very close together, so the music blaring out of both doors means the atmosphere down there is noisy!

11.40am - Millwall's starting XI is in.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Ward, Robinson, Stewart, Abdou, Trotter, Mkandawire, Bouazza, Feeney, Marquis

11.35am - One change from Big Sam, who brings in the experienced Abdoulaye Faye for Winston Reid.

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins, Faye, Noble, Lansbury, Noble, Faubert, Taylor, Cole
Subs: Boffin, Reid, Bentley, Baldock, Carew

11.20am - Unsurprisingly, today's game has been selected as the main event for tonight's BBC Football League Show. The camera crew and presenter have been milling about and getting some footage for a feature, so make sure to set your Sky+ or leave the pub early to watch that! I know West Ham always seemed to appear last on Match of the Day last season, but this season at least we're usually on near the start of the Football League Show!

11.10am - The West Ham team bus has arrived at The Den. I would have thought most of south London know about it too, judging by the noise the home fans made to welcome their visitors! Aside from the boos, I am happy to report, the players and staff made their way into the stadium without any incidents. Let's hope that sets the tone for the remainder of the day. It will not be long before the teams are confirmed. You will get the news first here and on the club's official twitter page.

Mark Noble

10.45am - The Hammers have left their hotel and are expected to arrive at The Den shortly. The weather cannot makes its mind up. It was sunny and warm earlier but the clouds are looking increasingly threatening. A 17-man squad has been selected for today's match, so who will make the starting XI? And who will be the unlucky player to sit in the stand? We shall know soon enough.

Millwall

Good morning and welcome to The Den for today's npower Championship fixture between Millwall and West Ham United.

The 25th competitive meeting between the near neighbours promises to be a mouth-watering affair, with the Hammers and Lions battling for local bragging rights, as well as three precious points. Should Sam Allardyce's side win, they will go top of the table.

West Ham have been perfect on the road so far this season, winning at Doncaster Rovers, Watford and Nottingham Forest, and will be confident of winning four consecutive away games for the first time since 2007. Last Saturday, the Hammers also picked up their first home success of the campaign by defeating Portsmouth 4-3 at the Boleyn Ground.

Carlton Cole will be looking to score in his fifth straight league game - matching a run he enjoyed between Boxing Day 2008 and 28 January 2009.

Millwall, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back to form after failing to win any of their previous four league matches. The Lions come into today's game having been beaten 3-0 at Birmingham City last weekend.

Team news-wise, West Ham will be without the suspended Frederic Piquionne, while new boy Guy Demel has a slight hamstring problem. Kenny Jackett will be without Shaun Batt (calf) and Therry Racon (ankle). The starting XIs will be confirmed at around 11.30am.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Ward, Robinson, Stewart, Abdou, Trotter, Mkandawire, Bouazza (Simpson 64), Feeney (Henry 64), Marquis
Subs: Mildenhall, Smith, 'Guessan

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins (Reid 30), Faye, Noble, Lansbury (Baldock 74), Noble, Faubert, Taylor,(Bentley 59), Cole
Subs not used: Boffin, Carew