Millwall U21s 2 Cardiff City U21s 1
Neil Harris' young Lions produced a thoroughly professional performance to see off table topping Cardiff City in their U21 Professional Development League 2 fixture at The Den on Tuesday afternoon.
Millwall were much the better side in the opening exchanges, keeping possession well and forcing the League leaders to sit deep in their own half.
Millwall were much the better side in the opening exchanges, keeping possession well and forcing the League leaders to sit deep in their own half.
The Lions took the lead in the 10th minute when Jack Powell's corner was met by Josh Wright, who headed the home side in front at the near post.
At the other end, Cardiff's first chance fell to Brad Williams, but the midfielder could only head Tyler Roche's cut-back over the bar.
The visitors then enjoyed a spell on top but Stephen Bywater kept his side in front with a smart stop from Kane Owen's volley.
Aiden O'Brien looked Millwall's biggest threat in attack, and his cross narrowly evaded the head of Josh Wright who had broken into the box.
At the other end, Cardiff's first chance fell to Brad Williams, but the midfielder could only head Tyler Roche's cut-back over the bar.
The visitors then enjoyed a spell on top but Stephen Bywater kept his side in front with a smart stop from Kane Owen's volley.
Aiden O'Brien looked Millwall's biggest threat in attack, and his cross narrowly evaded the head of Josh Wright who had broken into the box.
Just before the interval, Owen again had a strike on goal, but his curling effort was superbly tipped over the bar by Bywater.
Cardiff began the second-half on the front foot and nearly drew level when Tommy O'Sullivan headed Luke Coulson's cross just over. Striker O'Sullivan then had another go, but his strike from eight-yards was deflected onto the post by Bywater.
Millwall doubled their advantage in the 67th minute when Connor Hunte played a neat one-two with Aiden O'Brien on the edge of the box, racing onto the return pass and slotting past keeper Ben Wilson.
Powell nearly made it 3-0 with five minutes to go, but his powerful free-kick from 30-yards was tipped over by Wilson before O'Sullivan smashed the ball home to halve the deficit two minutes into stoppage time.
Millwall doubled their advantage in the 67th minute when Connor Hunte played a neat one-two with Aiden O'Brien on the edge of the box, racing onto the return pass and slotting past keeper Ben Wilson.
Powell nearly made it 3-0 with five minutes to go, but his powerful free-kick from 30-yards was tipped over by Wilson before O'Sullivan smashed the ball home to halve the deficit two minutes into stoppage time.
After the game, Chopper was delighted not only with the result but a number of plus points from the performance. He said: "First of all I was pleased with the goals, especially the first one which was something we had worked on in training.
"I thought we kept the ball extremely well, particularly in the early stages, and having senior players in the side like Nicky Bailey, Josh Wright and Jack Smith clearly helped the youngsters in that respect.
It was good to see Nicky back in action after his injury lay-off and hopefully he will be a welcome addition to the senior squad again before too long."
Millwall: Bywater; Siafa, De Havilland, Wood, Smith; Powell, Bailey (Farrell, 71'), Wright; Hunte (Guinchard, 74'), Philpot, O'Brien (Parr, 84'). Subs not used: Peter, Goodman.