I went for the glory of the NatWest Trophy Final and saw the best bowling figures of the season claimed by Glen Chapple of Lancashire who took 6-18 and our boys were bowled out for an embarrassing 57.
At Roots Hall the late plank, Mr. Boere with a brace, Nielsen, Williams and Marsh, were all scoring in a 5-2 win over Bolton, the side that ended up champions with 98 points, while there was to be only seven more wins for us and relegation beckoned, finishing bottom of the then first division after six tough but exciting seasons.
Well I wasn't falling for that one again!
The weather held good as I hit the Market Trader next to London Bridge around noon. A warning sign that football colours would not be allowed made me nervous for the lads following. I didn't need to worry as in these credit crunch times any bar need the dosh and several blue shirts were served without comment. Though I did see the landlord looking nervously at the group of Blues outside the bar and sadly he couldn't help himself, he called the law and three old bill did the obligatory walk around the bar where there was not hint of trouble.
The radio was giving out news of Olympic golds and falling Kent wickets, the only blot on the day so far was the finish of the Castle Rock 'Elsie Mo', a delicious pint. Oh well, two pints of a former CAMRA beer of the year, 'Norman's Conquest' had to finish off the job.
Arriving at South Bermondsey station you get led into the Starlag 17 tunnel of concrete which ends up at the ground.
As kick off approached I noticed more empty seats than the evening kick off earlier this year but still close to a thousand Blues I'd guess in the 8,114 crowd.
As the team names were read out it was a surprise to hear the name of Charles Ademeno making his professional debut in the league first eleven, Damien Scannel failing a late fitness test on his groin, joining James Walker and his dodgy thigh.
I did wonder where the width would come from but Ademeno drifted wide and looked good. Revell, in for Furlong, chased for everything, scoring at last, while celebrating in style reflecting a few team-mates obsession with the 'Call Of Duty' game. Alex himself dedicated the goal to his step mother who passed on in the summer. Betsy also had a full game, looking strong up the right. It's starting to look as Tilly has pulled another special signing out of the hat.
It all went rather well, Millwall look poor and they are certain to struggle again this year unless signings are made. They were even given a gift when Lions keeper David Forde went up for a relatively easy ball with Captain Adam, promptly dropped it, and up stepped Alex Revell to smash the ball home through several defenders and an unguarded net. At last, Alex has broken his duck and here's hoping there's a few more to follow. Someone has to help Barny, who passed a late fitness test himself, again. Many have felt we've yet to see the true Alex and this was a glimpse of what we might get over the season.
After that, until the dramatic second half stoppage time, there was not much else to write home about. We passed and kept the ball in that Blues way under T&B, Mildenhall shouted a lot at anyone within listening distance but kept well. He does spill the ball at times but under pressure it's always a clean catch while his save at the end that nearly won the game was brilliant, unlucky it went straight back to a Millwall player. I for one feel much safer at those high balls fly in, and Millwall are not the only side we will see go route one this season, Barrett and Clarkey simply look safer and that's reflected in their football.
Ademeno volleyed just over the bar before limping off on the hour to plenty of applause, he's grown in stature after this performance. Sankofa slotted into the middle as Franck drifted out wide, while not what Tilly has in mind for a regular midfield it seemed to have done the job until the crazy last five.
Millwall did have a couple of decent chances through a David Martin volley and Ahmet Brkoviv, who was to return to haunt us, flashed a shot inches wide of Mildenhall's right hand post.
The good Lord could have sewn up the points with a long range shot near the end but it went wide with Forde well beaten.
Throughout the game the man in the middle Mr. K. Stroud was petty and annoying. Booking three Southend players in the first half for very little while having a 'stern' word with a Millwall defender when he had bought Harding down when he was playing his way into the Lions penalty box.
I knew he would have a say on the outcome and sadly it came to pass.
First, he added five minutes of injury time which I could have lived with as Millwall did not look like equalising at this stage, the last 20 minutes having flown past with Southend playing controlled keep ball football.
Then he gave yet another silly free kick which Millwall took full advantage off. A few quick passes from the kick led to Marc Laird smashing the bar with the rebound by Paul Robinson being kept out of the net by an astonishing save by Mildenhall, would Flavs have got near it, we'd seen a few of them go straight in. Unfortunately for Steve and the team it was third time unlucky as Brkovic equalised with a couple of minutes left of stoppage time.
I'd seen enough and went off in a bit of a huff. Orient away yet again. Caught an early train and was back at the Bridge by 17.15. A short walk to St. Pauls where it was announced that the Central Line was suspended due to an 'incident', can't they finish themselves off in their own time, so back up over ground to catch a bus home. At least I could hear the Essex boys finish off Kent, hope everyone who went enjoyed their day.
Reflecting on the game a day later there are plenty of positives as the marks below reflect. We've got four more points than we had at this stage last season while the team moved on from the mess of Bailey's transfer with a match of confidence and ability. Tilly really showing his colours as a good coach once again.
Yes, we're out of a cup but the leagues the thing and I'm looking forward to the Brighton game with an enthusiasm I thought wouldn't be possible a few days ago. An improved Brighton where by the final whistle we should have a stronger idea of where the season may be heading than we've had with the first two opponents.
Mildenhall - 7; Looks more secure as the Blues No. 1 with every game.
Francis - 7; A strong game overall but still caught out defensively on a couple of occasions.
Clarke - 7; Will have to see Millwall's goal again to see if there was any error at the centre of defence but seems to play with more assurance with Big Steve behind him.
Barrett - 7; Just reprint any Barrett marks out of 10 comments from the last three seasons.
Harding - 7; Starting to show the Championship quality he was signed for, his free-kick set up the goal. Likes going forward as much as his predecessors. Will be missed in January unless we work something out.
Ademeno - 7; A very impressive debut. Has worked himself up the pecking order with this fine all-round display. Ricky Duncan will allow himself a quiet smile of satisfaction when he hears about this.
Moussa - 6; Not much different from what we saw in his first two games. A class act on the ball, needs to be more positive going forward and stronger in the tackle.
Moussa - 6; Not much different from what we saw in his first two games. A class act on the ball, needs to be more positive going forward and stronger in the tackle.
Grant - 8; If one out of the Moose and Grant have to go Anthony will do his best to make sure Tilly keeps him in the side. There was a real swagger about him as he played the Macca role with strength and intelligence in equal measure.
Betsy - 7; Saw enough to believe we have a winner here. Sometime ran into a blind alley but he's tough to shake off while the skill is certainly there.
Barnard - 7; You feel Barny needs a goal to really get his season going. Other than that all the other strengths in his game that we know and love; hard work, intelligent runs, accurate passing and a general pain in the ass to opposing centre halves were all in evidence.
Revell - 7; At last, a hint of the Alex Revell that made the Brighton fans upset at his leaving and for Uncle Ron to sign the cheque. Lots of hard yards put in along with the good Lord and hopefully has turned the corner.
Subs:
Sankofa (for Ademeno 60) - 6. Sent on a touch earlier than Tilly wanted because of Charles injury and I can't say I remember him doing much, seems to have inherited the Grant role of being sent on late to close down a game.
Sankofa (for Ademeno 60) - 6. Sent on a touch earlier than Tilly wanted because of Charles injury and I can't say I remember him doing much, seems to have inherited the Grant role of being sent on late to close down a game.
Furlong (for Revell 83) - 6. On for a tiring Alex, did his bit without any drama.