Wigan hold Millwall to a draw, in frosty encounter at The Den:

Championship action returned this weekend for the first time after the World Cup break, as Millwall missed the opportunity to move back into the play-off places with a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic.

Wigan who had new manager Kolo Touré manage his first game as head coach, got off too the perfect start, as Will Keane’s rebound goal caught out goalkeeper George Long too give The Latics the lead just after the half-hour mark. His initial shot was blocked by his own teammate Lang, however fell kindly for the striker on the rebound to place his side ahead.

It was The Lions who had the better earlier on in the game however, and with five minutes until the half-time interval, they found themselves level. Danny McNamara’s cross was chested down by Bradshaw before Flemming emphatically volleyed home from the edge of the area, proving too hot for Jamie Jones to handle. This sending the two sides level at half time.

Both teams created chances after the break, although both keepers were largely untested as the game fizzled out in the last few stages, with both sides settling for a draw in a freezing encounter.

Match Details

The Latics threatened Long in the Millwall goal from the start, as within the first 30 seconds of the match, Wigan pushed forward immediately with James McClean firing a deflected shot towards the goal, which almost caught out the Millwall goalkeeper who had to get down low to parry the effort wide.

The Lions then took control of the game, creating some great chances of their own. Mason Bennett had two shots saved fairly comfortably by Jamie Jones in the Wigan goal, with Tom Bradshaw also heading wide of the target. Millwall were presented with a golden chance in the first half, as Mason Bennett found some space down the left flank, before his powerful cross was headed over from Andreas Voglsammer from close range, when it looked harder to miss.

It was Wigan who took the lead though in the 33rd minute. The Latics broke down the right-hand side where Will Keane picked up the ball, his first initial shot was blocked by his own teammate and the rebound fell kindly for him too pass into an empty net, as George Long was still on the floor after diving for the initial first effort. Kolo Touré will be pleased with his sides start too the first half, as they looked more comfortable in possession compared to recent weeks and will feel like they deserved to have a lead going into half time.

Gary Rowett’s side responded quickly however, as they found their equaliser through Starman Flemming. It was the Dutchman who started the move, as his pass out wide found McNamara who drove up the right flank, before dinking a cross towards Bradshaw, who chested the ball backwards into Flemming’s path. The Dutchman didn’t hesitate, as he rifled a powerful volley from the edge of the area into the bottom corner too level the scores going into half-time.

Shortly after the game was resumed for the second half, The Lions found themselves threatening the Wigan goal again, as they was awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal. Flemming stepped up too take it, with his powerful dipping effort forcing Jones into a good save, pushing it wide for a corner. Just five minutes later, Billy Mitchell rushed onto the ball after it fell nicely for him, but his effort was caught by The Latics shot-stopper. Danny McNamara then went close, as his long-range effort fizzed just wide of the top corner, after some good play from Saville.

Ultimately the home-side couldn’t capitalise on all these missed opportunities and after a flurry of chances wasted, they lost all control in the game. In fact it was Wigan who looked more likely to win the game, creating numerous chances and dominating possession.

Nathan Broadhead who looked lively all evening, stole the ball from Murray Wallace but his low cross was unable to be converted by anybody in the middle, as The Latics failed too beat George Long for a second time in the game.

In the end, both teams couldn’t capitalise and find that extra bit of quality too grab the game by the scruff of the neck, and had to settle for a draw, in a Baltic afternoon at The Den, where the freezing weather might have affected the flat atmosphere.

This result leaves Millwall missing out on the opportunity to move into the play-offs again and remain outside the top six. Meanwhile a point for Wigan, moves them out of the relegation zone, until at least Monday, when West Brom play.