Millwall 2 Wigan Athletic 0 - Saturday 9th August 2003

Wigan fail first test in searing heat at The Den

Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan's Division One baptism didn't exactly go to plan with the Lions of Millwall giving Paul Jewell's side a valuable footballing lesson in the sweltering heat at the New Den.

Second half goals from former Chelsea star Dennis Wise and Tim Cahill wrapped up all three points for the home side with Wigan struggling to match their opponents.

A minutes silence was observed prior to the game's kick off for Ray Harford who had been coach at the South London club prior to his death in the early hours of the morning after a long battle with cancer.

After the game Millwall manager Mark McGee paid tribute to the former Blackburn Rovers manager and dedicated the win to the 58 year old who was regarded as one of the best coaches in the business.

Millwall were first to test their opponent's goal when Matt Lawrence supplied Paul Ifill through on goal in the 4th minute but the midfielder turned striker put his effort narrowly wide of the post.

Wigan's first chance of the game fell to Andy Liddell whose thunderous drive was blocked away by ex Spurs defender Stuart Nethercott at the expense of a corner.

Matt Jackson's header from a Nicky Eaden free kick found Millwall keeper Tony Warner in fine form to deny the Wigan centre half.

Wigan were thankful to the woodwork after John Filan failed to keep hold of a Dennis Wise corner and Tim Cahill rattled the loose ball against the crossbar as the Wigan players unsuccessfully looked for a free kick for a foul on their keeper.

The visitors were let off again when Brazilian defender Juan, currently on loan from Arsenal, sent his close range shot wide of the mark and Filan was then kept on his toes when he pulled off a superb save to deny Ifill.

With the seconds ticking away towards the half time interval Neil Harris wasted a chance to open the scoring when he blasted his shot well wide.

Harris was again denied the game's opening goal when he stepped up to take a penalty, awarded after Jason De Vos was adjudged to have brought down Paul Ifill in the area 7 minutes into the second half.

Bomber struck the penalty to Filan's right but the Wigan keeper was equal to it and parried the shot away only for DENNIS WISE to react quickly firing home the rebound from 6 yards out for his 4th goal since joining Millwall on a free transfer from Leicester City last September.

The goal seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of Wigan and despite Paul Jewell changing things around it was always Millwall who looked more likely to score the game's second goal.

The goal arrived in the 74th minute with John Filan helpless to stop his fellow countryman TIM CAHILL from powering home a header after Wise had delivered a corner into space in the area.

The width of the upright denied Wigan a consolation after good work from Jimmy Bullard who took the ball across the edge of the penalty area before rattling a low drive against the base of the post and moments later saw another effort charged down by the Millwall defence.

Aside from the result Wigan were dealt another blow when skipper Jason De Vos limped off just after the hour mark with a foot injury which could see him struggle to be fit for the visit of Hull City to the JJB Stadium on Tuesday evening for the first round of the Carling Cup.