Millwall 2-1 Blackpool: Benik Afobe scores the winning goal for the Lions

Benik Afobe batted home the winner for Millwall

Millwall secured a much-needed three points after beating Blackpool 2-1 in the Championship at The Den.

Gary Rowett’s side had lost four of their last five games but stopped the rot against the Tangerines.

Zian Flemming was a constant threat and the Dutchman’s header went wide of keeper Dan Grimshaw to break the deadlock after 14 minutes.

Although Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino equalized for Blackpool before the break, Benik Afobe won for the Lions in the last half hour.

Pressured boss Rowett made four changes from the side who lost to QPR at home midweek, but the Lions started brilliantly and the tone for the day was set when Flemming headed straight on early after a cross from the lively George Honeyman Grimshaw headed for.

They took the lead when Flemming rose highest to meet Scott Malone’s swinging corner and his header curled down past Grimshaw and over the inside of the post, over the line.

Blackpool grew into the game and George Long – coming on for Bartosz Bialkowski between the posts – had to save a Shayne Lavery header after a Dom Thompson left cross in the 23rd minute.

It was 1-1 in the 34th minute when Thompson was brought in down the left after a clean approach play and pulled the ball back to Jerry Yates, who had the time and space to unselfishly bat off the unmarked Patino, who went into the roof from shot the net via a deflection from Long.

Flemming hissed a shot from the edge of the box over the bar just before half-time and saw another long-range shot from Grimshaw just after the turn, which was saved well.

The Dutchman continued his search for a goal and after gaining some space, he slammed a shot into the inside post on the hour.

The pressure continued and the hosts regained the lead three minutes later when Callum Styles saw a shot blocked but the ball fell friendly to Afobe who whipped the rebound home for his second goal of the season.

Theo Corbeanu strode forward in search of an immediate response but saw his attempt hit the side netting before Grimshaw at the other end blocked an attempt from Malone and Flemming went just wide shortly after.

The Tangerines’ Kenny Dougall shot over the bar with 15 minutes to go as the Lions recorded their fifth consecutive home win over Blackpool.

Millwall manager Gary Rowett told ` Radio London:

“Blackpool play with a lot of energy and came back after losing to Rotherham so I’m sure they were like us and were keen to do a much better job ahead of the international break.

“I’m happy that we scored the first goal. We talked about it with the players before the game. We’ve conceded the first goal eight times in ten games this season. That’s a huge mountain to climb and it makes things a lot difficult.” especially in this league, the goal gave us a bit of confidence.

“The first goal calmed us down. We conceded a very bad goal to get them back in the game but I think in the second half we moved the ball really well sometimes, attacked really well, it was just a question see if we can get it.” second goal. I thought Benik was excellent and absolutely deserved his goal.”

lineups

Millwall

formation 3-4-1-2

1Long

fifteenCreswell5cooper3M Wallace

16Shackleton8thmitchell17styles11malone

39honeyman

7hell10Flemming

• 1Long
• fifteenCreswell
• 5cooperBooked at 7 minutes
• 3M WallaceBooked at 68 minutes
• 16Shackleton
• 8thmitchell
• 17styles
• 11malone
• 39honeymanReplaced byMcNamaraat 78′protocol
• 7hell
• 10FlemmingReplaced byBradshawat 88′protocol

substitute

• 2McNamara
• 6Evans
• 9Bradshaw
• 14Urey
• 21bird catcher
• 23Saville
• 33Bialkowski

Blackpool

formation 3-4-3

32Grimshaw

21The epithet34Thornley3Husband

2connolly12dougall28personally23Thompson

25corbean9Yates19Lavery

• 32Grimshaw
• 21The epithet
• 34Thornley
• 3HusbandReplaced byHamiltonat 81′protocol
• 2connollyReplaced bygabrielat 72′protocol
• 12dougall
• 28personally60 minutes bookedReplaced bycareyat 89′protocol
• 23Thompson
• 25corbean90 minutes booked
• 9YatesReplaced byPoveda Ocampoat 72′protocol
• 19Lavery

substitute

• 1maxwell
• 4gabriel
• fifteenR Williams
• 16carey
• 22Hamilton
• 26Poveda Ocampo
• 29garbutt

Referee: Darren Bond

Number of visitors: 11,463

live text

1. Game ends, Millwall 2, Blackpool 1.

2. Second half ends, Millwall 2, Blackpool 1.

3. attempt failed. Sonny Carey (Blackpool) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Theo Corbeanu.

4. attempt blocked. Jamie Shackleton (Millwall) right footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.

5. attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Millwall) left footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the goal.

6. Theo Corbeanu (Blackpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

7. Foul by Theo Corbeanu (Blackpool).

8. Scott Malone (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

9. Foul by Jordan Thorniley (Blackpool).

10. Tom Bradshaw (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

11. Substitution, Blackpool. Sonny Carey replaces Charlie Patino.

12. Substitution Millwall. Tom Bradshaw replaces Zian Flemming.

13. Dominic Thompson (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

14. Foul by Zian Flemming (Millwall).

15. Kenneth Dougall (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

16. Foul by Benik Afobe (Millwall).

17. attempt failed. Jamie Shackleton (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but the ball misses to the right following a corner.

18. Corner Millwall. Cashed in by Dominic Thompson.

19. Corner, Blackpool. Cashed in by Charlie Creswell.

20. Substitution, Blackpool. CJ Hamilton replaces James Husband.