By Jr
March 20 2005

Millwall have endured some troubled times of late, both on and off the pitch, but some of the woe subsided when the Lions trounced Plymouth 3-0 at the Den on Sunday. Barry Hayles put in a man-of-the-match performance, but missed a glorious opportunity. Millwall 3 Plymouth 0

Millwall have endured some troubled times of late, both on and off the pitch, but some of the woe subsided when the Lions trounced Plymouth 3-0 at the Den on Sunday.

Barry Hayles put in a man-of-the-match performance, but missed a glorious opportunity before supplying Peter Sweeney with a far post tap in to open the scoring on a quarter of an hour.

The Lions had to wait until early in the second half for a two-goal cushion, when Tony Craig’s long clearance was headed on by Danny Dichio to Hayles - who left his marker for dead before despatching a low shot past Plymouth keeper Luke McCormick.

After just over an hour’s play, the game was effectively over as a contest when Dichio powerfully headed in David Livermore’s cross.

Cue the Millwall fans chant to the travelling Plymouth supporters: “3-0 and a long way home.”

But the away support continued to back Argyle to the hilt, though they were being mercilessly put to the sword by the Millwall fans - who ironically began cheering each time a Plymouth player touched the ball, so rare was the occurrence.

The icing on the cake for the Lions would have been a goal from substitute Ben May, much admired for his starring midweek performance in the 1-1 draw against Coventry City.

On that occasion, May’s natural exuberance had had a galvanising effect on his team-mates and the crowd upon his introduction half an hour before time, as he won a spot kick that Jody Morris expertly despatched.

It could have been all three points for the Lions, had referee Clive Penton not made a bizarre mistake that he was man enough to admit to later.

As Coventry substitute Claus Jorgensen broke through on goal, Penton blew his whistle after a Craig challenge.

But Jorgensen netted and, strangely, the goal was allowed to stand.

The two points dropped may be significant by the end of the season, but Millwall’s play-off hopes have been far from enhanced by the lack of investment in the squad as Lions player boss Dennis Wise admitted after the Plymouth game.

He said: "I can't keep quiet much longer. I don't think certain people believe in me enough.

"It is so disappointing. Nine games ago we had an awful lot of players out so Ray Wilkins and myself went to the board and asked for help and we were told 'no'.

"While the young players who have come in have done fantastic, if we would have got help when we needed it we'd be tucked in nicely in the play-offs with six or seven more points.

"We still believe we are in with a chance, but I really hope we haven't missed the opportunity."

Meanwhile, Millwall’s home produced youngsters are continuing to seize their first team chances, but will need to be on their mettle away at Leicester City on April 2nd if they want to sustain their charge for the play-offs.