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Goal line technology - a heated debate

It is an question that has gone as far back as when professional football began, 'did the ball cross the line'? On numerous occasions has the referee and his assistants been called upon to make the big decision of awarding a goal or not. So when a goal is not given when it should have been, mass controversy breaks out. Goal line technology has been one of the most talked about subjects in the game of football over the last decade. There has been a mixed opinion from the footballing world, which begs the question, will we ever see goal line technology introduced at all?

With goal line incidents seeming to occur very frequently, more and more figures have called for it to be implemented with immediate effect.

Only last night did the latest call for the technology come from AC Milan’s CEO Adriano Galliano. Milan have had two ‘goals’ that were not given in there last two matches and Galliano has reitterated his support to the Italian Football Federation president as well as UEFA president Michel Platini. Gilliano told AC Milan News, “The date is set for July 2nd to discuss the matter. I hope they [UEFA] go with technology and extra officials as I genuinely think that for big competitions you can’t move forwards with the way things are currently’.

The English FA also made their feelings clear in March when they released a statement reiterating their interest in the development of technology in football. It came after replays showed Queen’s Park Rangers should have been awarded a goal in their match with Bolton Wanders, a match they went on to lose 2-1.

The FA’s statement read:

"Following last week's meeting of IFAB (International Football Association Board) The FA would like to reiterate our strong desire to see goalline technology introduced as soon as possible.

"The FA has been a leading proponent of goalline technology for many years. We will continue to press for its introduction once further independent testing is complete later this year, so that anyone wishing to introduce the technology is able to do so at the earliest possible opportunity."

Although so many are calling for the introduction of goal line technology, two important figures involved in approving the technology are against the idea. UEFA president Michel Platini has warned the footballing world that if goal line technology is introduced then we will have ‘PlayStation football’.

Platini has led the opposition to technology being used in games while championing the use of two additional officials in matches to help rule on disputed goals.

UEFA’s General Secretary Gianni Infantino has stated that the European governing body may opt to stick with its idea of having extra assistant referees next to the goals before any sort of technology is introduced.

“What we have at the moment is two additional referees, with which we are very happy,” Infantino said. “And if the two additional referees are approved by the IFAB on July 2, then it’s likely we will use that. Certainly that (system), then we will see about goal line technology.”

Infantino also added that having the extra officials adds more to the game than goal line technology.

“On goal-line technology you can see whether a goal has been scored or not,” Infantino said. “An additional assistant next to the goal can see this, but also some other things.”

Football’s rule-making body will decide in July whether to approve high-tech aids for referees, with two systems now undergoing final tests.

Hanworth Villa 0-2 Cove

By Daniel Tait

A Laurie Walters penalty and a stunning strike from Andrew Harewood earned Cove an impressive three points away at Hanworth Villa.

Hanworth Villa had control of the game in the opening stages as forward had two good chances to break the deadlock, one of which just evaded the top left hand corner whereas the other came crashing back off the post and out to safety.

Cove started to up their game and the break through came on 27 minutes when Jack Ball was pushed in the box, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Laurie Walters stepped up to cooly put the ball in the bottom left hand corner.

This seemed to be the turning point as Cove started to play slick, free-flowing football and were creating the better chances of the two sides. Jack Ball had a shot parried by goalkeeper Terry Buss from the edge of the area.

Cove made it two on 37 minutes giving Hanworth Villa an uphill struggle for the rest of the game. Andrew Harewood received the ball on the left side of the box, before stopping it dead and producing a magnificant curling shot into the top right hand corner via the crossbar.

Laurie Walters had his shot saved after an amazing run through several defenders moments before the half time whistle.

The second half was a much quieter affair with neither side producing any clear cut chances. Cove kept the ball well, and never looked like throwing away the impressive lead. 

A fifth consecutive win for Cove means that they are still sitting comfortably mid-table.

Hanworth Villa: Buss, Hare, Baigent, Johnson (Lewis), Higgs, Farnden, Whatford, Loveridge, Oaks, King, Woods (Shennan) Subs Not Used: Stevenson, Antonio.

Cove: Edgecombe, Tancock, Unwin (D Thomas), Eagles (Dalrymple), Townsend, Firth, C Thomas, Ball, Harewood, Walters, Cole-Bolt (Peters). Subs Not Used: Roberts.

Last minute goal sees Cove knock 10 man Dorking out of cup

By Daniel Tait

A last minute Michael Peters goal saw Cove come from 3-1 down to win 4-3 and progress into the next round of the cup.

Cove went into the game confident of getting a victory after defeating the same team 3-2 at the weekend. Cove were definately the dominant team from the first whistle, and nearly took the lead after eight mintes when Michael Peters' shot clipped the post from the edge of the area.

Cove's chances of winning the game were boosted greatly when they were awarded a penalty on ten minutes. Dorking's Sam Currie handled on the line to prevent the ball crossing the line. The referee had no choice but to award the penalty and give the defender a straight red card. Andrew Harewood stepped up to take the spot kick and duly delivered as his effort was hit low into the bottom left hand corner.

Ten man Dorking were level little over seven minutes later. Full back Sam Sawyers lumped the ball across to the far side of the box where Russell Harrt lept to thump a header across goalkeeper Luke Edgecombe and into the net.

Kevin Dalrymple nearly put Cove back into the lead on twenty minutes, only to see his lob tipped just wide of the post by goalkeeper Dan Coles.

Andrew Harewood was then unlucky to see his effort from distance hit the inside of the post and come out.

It the seemed to be a case of deja vu as Cove went behind after leading the game. Dorking were given a penalty after a handball by Craig Berry. Billy Ramsey despatched the spot kick and gave Dorking the lead, just as they had done in the first half of saturday's league match.

Cove, who had five players cup-tied, brought on experienced manager Dean Thomas, and played with a front three of Thomas, Dalrymple and Harewood. Thomas had a chance to level immediately when he raced through on goal, only to see his effor saved by Coles, and Harewood's follow up blocked on the line.

Kevin Dalrymple should have done better when Harewood cut a ball back to him inside the area. The big number 9 could only see his effort go high over the goal.

Cove looked like the likely side to score the next goal, however it was Dorking who doubled their advantage and gave Cove a mountain to climb. Nicky Kemble found himself unmarked in the area, and made no mistake with his header from a corner to make it 3-1.

Cove had the majority of the possession for the rest of the game and luck was very much with them as they reduced the deficit with fifteen minutes left. David Unwin found the ball at his feet from a corner, only to see his poked shot deflect off Dalrymple's knee and find the corner of the net.

Harewood levelled two minutes later when he latched onto Michael Peter's through ball to take it around goalkeeper Coles and fire into an empty net.

Harewood could have won the game, three minutes from time, only for Coles to save his point blank shot.

But Cove did eventually grab a winner one minute past the ninety in controversial fashion. A ball played forward was flicked on by Harewood, to an on-rushing Peters who placed the ball past 'keeper Coles where it hit the inside of the post a into the net. However, the Dorking players and staff were incensed that the linesman did not raise his flag for offside, when Peters ran through on goal. The goal stood and Cove progressed into the next round.

Cove Team: Edgecombe, Berry (D Thomas 56), Tancock, Olindipa (Millerick 45) , Unwin, Townsend, C Thomas, Peters, Dalrymple, Harewood, Firth. Subs: Millerick, D Thomas, Rivers.

Dorking Team: Coles, Currie, Sawyers, Philpott, Dunning, Duffel, Kemble, Harrt, McCann, Ramsey. Subs: Hyett, Donovan, Cox, Stewart.

Cove move into top half after Dorking victory

Cove move into tenth in the league after coming from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Oak Farm on Saturday afternoon. A low strike, fifteen minutes from time by top scorer Andrew Harewood gave Dean Thomas' side all three points and a well deserved win.

Cove got off to the perfect start as they took the lead inside two minutes. A scramble in the box fell to Andrew Harewood who prodded home from six yards.

Jack nearly made it two, two minutes later when he fired over acrobatically from a corner kick.

Dorking started to find their feet in the game after ten minutes. Forward Leroy Hyett scored two in four mintues, the first of which came on the quarter of an hour mark. Strike partner Russel Harrt played a lobbed through ball for Hyett to run onto, take a touch and fire across goalkeeper Luke Edgecombe into the far right hand corner. Hyett gave Dorking a 2-1 lead on eighteen minutes when again he linked up with Harrt, this time smashing in from close range from Harrt's cross.

Cove's performance didn't suggest that they should have beee behind, however it seemed that the final ball was always poor. Harewood was guilty of this on thirty minutes when he did well to beat two defenders to the byline, but his squared pass across goal was comfortable collected by goalkeeper Dan Coles.

Harewood was unlucky when his curled shot from the edge of the box hit the top of the crossbar. Laurie Walters shoud have levelled the game when he rushed through on goal only for his touch to be a little too heavy as the goalkeeper pounced at his feet.

Cove seemed to regroup well at half time as Dorking had little answer to Cove's efforts. It took nine minutes after the restart for Cove to draw level. Winger Calvin Thomas played an inch-perfect pass through for Jack Ball to run onto, where the tall forward did the rest by chipping cutely over the on-rushing Dan Coles.

Cove's Aaron Cole-Bolt, Walters and Ball all had chances to take the lead, however Dorking were blocking them out well.

It was only a matter of time until Cove took the lead, and it was the free-scoring Andrew Harewood who grabbed his second of the match to make it 3-2. Harewood received the ball in the left side of the Dorking box, before he stepped inside a defender before blasting low into the botom left hand corner much to the delight of all his team-mates.

Ball saw a left footed curled shot just evade the top corner before Harewood could have grabbed a hat-trick and sealed the game, only for his shot to drag wide of the left hand post.

Cove held on for an important win that puts them in tenth position, nine places above where they sat last weekend following the away win at Wembley and Epsom & Ewell's six point deduction.

Cove: Edgecombe, Firth, Eagles, Millerick, Unwin, Thomas, Townsend, Cole-Bolt, Walters, Ball, Harewood. Subs Not Used: Olindipa, Roberts, Peters, Tancock, Thomas.

Dorking: Coles, Sawyers, Currie, Philpon, Dunning, Ramsey, Edwards (Stewart 80), Hyett, Harrt, Duffel, Jeeves. Subs Not Used: McCann, Cox, Donovan, Hurd.

Ruthless South Park Punish Cove

Cove 1-7 South Park

By Daniel Tait

South Park ran riot as they put seven past Cove on a bitterly cold night at Oak Farm. Striker Kieran Laverly grabbed four of the seven goals giving Cove manager Dean Thomas a lot to think about ahead of Saturdays visit of Raynes Park Vale.

Cove got off to the worst possible start as Laverly put South Park 1-0 up within the first minute. Laverly picked teh ball up on teh right hand side of the box before curling a sublime effort into the top left hand corner.

South Park doubled their lead little over seven minutes later when Laverly got infront of his man to prod home at the front post from a low David Smith cross. The busy striker completed his hat-trick on thirteen minutes from a South Park counter attack. As Cove were attacking a through ball hit Coves Dwayne Townsend on the heel, and South Park retained the ball and broke in numbers. Jack Stafford played the ball to Laverly on the edge of the box who then chipped the ball over the top of debut goalkeeper Luke Edgecombe into the far left hand corner.

Cove then seemed to pick up their game as striker Kevin Dalrymple headed onto the roof of the net, and could have hit the target had he delayed his jump for a moment. Dalrymple should have reduced the deficite when he latched onto a mistake by South Park centre-back Nathan Miles, however his shot went high over the crossbar.

Cove's Laurie Walters was unlucky with his effort five minutes before the interval. Walters picked up the ball on the left hand side of the box, when he opened his body and fired across the face of goal.

South Park then put the game beyond all doubt when they made it 4-0 on the 41st minute. George Smith beat the Cove offside trap and kept his head to slot past Edgecombe.

Walters was again unlucky in first half injury time when his composed finish was cleared off the line by desperate defending by Daniel Guscott.

Cove were very much the dominant team at the start of the second half and were rewarded when they pulled a goal back on the 61st minute. The in-form Andrew Harewood recieved the ball on the edge of the South Park box before stepping inside and curling a brilliant shot right footed into the left side of the goal.

However, South Park responded immediately and Laverly grabbed his fourth and South Park's fifth of the game. Laverly found the ball at his feet inide the Cove box, when he cooly slotted past two defenders and the goalkeeper.

South Park were dominant for the rest of the game, and it was one way traffic towards the Cove goal. Substitute Chris Smith made it six with ten minutes to go. Scott Robson crossed to the unmarked Smith who swivled and fired into the top right hand corner, giving Edgecombe no chance.

Smith scored his second and rounded the game off with seven minutes left on the clock. A costly error from Cove captain Eagles presented Smith with his chance as his back pass was not strong enough to reach goalkeeper Edgecombe, and Smith rolled home at the second attempt.

COVE - Edgecombe, Tancock, Millerick, Denness, Eagles, Townsend, Walters, Firth, Dalrymple, Harewood, Bond. Subs: Oladipa, Ball, Peters, Roberts, Thomas.

SOUTH PARK - Wastell, O'Sullivan, Ward, Miles, Guscott, Stafford, D Smith, M Smith, Laverly, Every, G Smith. Subs: Robson, C Smith, Bastin.

Missed Chances Cost Cove Dearly

Cove were left ruing missed chances as they went down 3-1 away to Egham.

Egham dominated possession heavily for the first fifteen minutes, and would probably have been ahead if it wasn't for Matt Grave being caught offside four or five times. Egham Midfielder Tom Hedges looked the most creative from the start as his pace and footwork gave the Cove players a lot to deal with.

Cove started to pick up their game around the 20th minute mark. Laurie Walters and Andrew Harewood both had chances to break the deadlock but their efforts were wayward. However it was left-sided midfielder Vinnie Bond who had the chance to open the scoring. Bond found himself one on one with the goalkeeper Paul Borg, however his shot was partially blocked by Borg and trickled across the face of goal with no Cove players following up the effort.

Cove's Elliott Firth nearly put the ball into his own net on the 25th minute mark when he slid in to intercept a low cross, only for the ball to slice off his foot and spin up over the bar for an Egham corner.

A good five minute spell on the half hour mark should have seen Cove take the lead. A low in-swinging cross from the right hand side found Harewood at the far post, only for the striker to prod a tame shot into the midriff of the goalkeeper. Bond also struck an effort from the edge of the box, that 'keeper Borg caught comfortably.

Egham then took the lead on 37 minutes when Enrico Rossoni struck an effort from the edge of the box and into the far corner.

Egham then made it 2-0 shortly after half time. Forward Matt Grave latched onto a through ball and slotted calmly past Cathal McLean.

Cove then seemed to respond immediately as Bond had two opportunities to half the deficite. Bond fired high and wide when he should have really laid the ball to one of his team-mates in a better position, before forcing a good save out of Borg when his low shot was tipped around the post for a corner.

Cove's pressure paid off when Harewood pulled one goal back. Harewood chested a ball that was headed out by the Egham defence before volleying across goal into the far left hand corner.

Egham held out for the rest of the game and put the game beyond all doubt in the final few minutes. Substitute Tom Brunton crossed a delightful ball to the back post for Grave to tap in and grab his second of the game.

McLean, Tancock, Firth, Millerick (Kayode 80), Eagles, Townsend, Roberts (Denness), Walters, Dalrymple (Ball 61), Harewood, Bond.

Cove Edge Seven Goal Thriller

Chessington & Hook 3-4 Cove FC

Cove centre back Nathan Nelson scored a controversial 96th minute winner to edge a seven goal thriller at Chessington & Hook.

It was the home side who were quickest out of the blocks. The possession was very much in the favour of Chessington, however they seemed to fail to produce and end product.

Cove then began to get into the rhythm of the game with Laurie Walters looking lively on the left flank. It was Walters who created the opening goal on 17 minutes. The number 11 took the ball inside onto his right foot before whipping a low, in-swinging ball towards the far post for Tyrone Roberts to slide the ball into the net.

The visitors had been leading for less than ten minutes when Chessington found an equaliser. Cove goalkeeper Cathal McLean ran out of goal to collect a cross only for the Chessington number 8 to get to the ball first and head into an empty net.

Both teams had good opportunities to get a second as the game neared the half hour mark. The Chessington number 10 will feel he should have done better from a head down from his strike partner, whilst Cove's Nathan Nelson had a point blank shot saved superbly.

Cove forward Andrew Harewood scored the goal of the game in the 30th minute. Harewood latched onto a pass from Kevin Dalrymple before taking a touch an unleashing an unstoppable shot from 20 yards into the top left hand corner via the post.

Cove started the second half the brightest as Dalrymple and Dwayne Townsend both had chances to double the deficit, whilst Harewood had an effort cleared off the line.

Cove's efforts paid off on 65 minutes when Harewood grabbed his second of the game. Good work involving full-back Craig Hewitt, Dalrymple and Harewood led to a scrap in the box, however Harewood's eventual shot crept in the bottom right hand corner.

Cove seemed to switch off as Chessington immediately reduced the deficit back to one goal. The Chessington midfielder was allowed time and space to drill a low effort into the bottom left hand corner from the edge of the box.

Substitute Jack Ball did well to create an opportunity for Cove when he wriggled his way into the box. The tall front man could have put the game beyond doubt had he squared to an unmarked Harewood, however chose to go alone and smashed wayward.

Chessington looked to have salvaged a draw in the dying moments of the game when the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 93rd minute. The Chessington striker kept his cool to send McLean the wrong way and stroke home.

The drama continued as Cove snatched a winner in the 96th minute. A free kick delivered into the box lead to a desperate scramble, and Nathan Nelson struck a low, neat finish to make the scoreline 4-3. The Chessington players were adamant that Nelson was offside, however the Referee blew the whistle for full time and Cove took all three points

Mclean, Hewitt, Firth, Nelson, Eagle, Townsend, Roberts (Peters 86), Thomas, Dalrymple (Ball 75), Harewood, Walters. Subs Not Used: Tancock, Olandipa, Matterich. Goalscorers: Roberts (17), Harewood (30 & 65), Nelson (90+6)

Same Old Liverpool

I'm sure most Liverpool Football Club fans would agree with me when I say, it has been frustrating to be a supporter of Liverpool over the last few seasons. With no Champions League football since the 2009/10 season, and no European football at all this year, one can only hope for qualification for next years campaign.

However, at this present time, Champions League football looks like a long shot. Liverpool currently lie in 6th position, three points off that elusive 4th spot. With both Manchester clubs fighting for the top spot, Arsenal recovering well from a poor start and both Tottenham and Newcastle raising eyebrows, it could be the most difficult seasons to qualify for the best competition in European football.

The fact of the matter is, when you analyse it deeply their is no reason for the men of Anfield Road not to be challenging for the Champions League or even the title. 

The Reds have not lost to any of the so called ‘big boys’, beating both Arsenal and Chelsea away from home, and drawing with both Manchester City and Manchester United at home. It is the poorer sides that Liverpool drop vital points against, and it has been the same old story in most of Liverpool’s campaigns.

Therefore, what I have done is simple. I have read all the match reports that Liverpool have dropped points in bar United, City and Tottenham, to see if the reds should have got something else from the game.

Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland

The statistics in this match showed that the actual game play was very even, so the scoreline seems fair. However, Liverpool did have the home advantage and Luis Suarez missed a penalty.

Verdict: Should have won - 2 points dropped

Stoke City 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool had 24 shots to Stoke’s 3 and therefore that says it all. A match dominated by Liverpool should have finished with the reds traveling back to Merseyside with a comfortable win.

Verdict: Should have won - 3 points dropped

Liverpool 1-1 Norwich

Liverpool had 29 shots compared to Norwich’s 12, and the reds hit the woodwork three times in what was a very one sided game. Norwich equalised out of the blue, and ended in a disappointing result for Liverpool.

Verdict: Should have won - 2 points dropped

Swansea 0-0 Liverpool

Swansea had goalkeeper Michel Vorm to thank as Liverpool can only ask themselves how they didn’t win this one. The reds had 25 attempts at goal, compared to Swansea and had the majority of possession.

Verdict: Should have won - 2 points dropped

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

A fairly even game this one, and not very entertaining. Clint Dempsey scored late to give the cottagers all three points, however the reds could have gained at least a point. Jordan Henderson hit the post, whilst Andy Carroll missed good chances.

Verdict: Could have got a point - 1 point dropped

After my analysis, I have suggested that Liverpool have dropped a possible 10 points that they easily could have achieved had they finished some of their chances and had luck been on their side.

Therefore this means that had Liverpool taken those 10 points, they would currently be in 3rd position, level on points with Manchester United and two points off the top spot.

If only such results went our way.

Interview With Reffley Royals Manager Rob Back

Reffley Royals manager Rob Back is confident his side can go all the way and win the Norfolk Junior Cup at Norwich’s Carrow Road this year. After narrowly losing 2-1 to UEA in the final of last years campaign The Royals have drawn the defending champions in the Quarter Finals.

Firstly Rob, well done for getting this far in the competition. The boys put in an impressive performance in the last round, winning 7-3 against Martham, do you believe the side has the quality go one step further and win the trophy this year? 

Yes, I really do. I think the boys still feel the pain of falling at the final hurdle. We were unlucky in that game last year but I think the boys want to get relive that feeling of getting to the final, and play in a Premier League stadium. We are on a great run of five consecutive wins so the confidence is flowing.

You have been drawn against UEA, the team that beat you in the final last year, does that worry you?

No not really. On another day we would have beaten them. We had some good chances, and should have done better defensively in the run up to their goals. There is no doubt that they are a good side, however we are more physical. We have the advantage of playing at home, on a pitch that we are familiar with, and they [UEA] have to travel an hour to get here. If we match them for effort, our quality will shine through.

The match isn’t very far off, the 7th of January, how are you going to prepare considering there is the Christmas period and the players jobs to get around?

We shall be training twice a week to work on set pieces and defending them too. It is really important that everyone should do their best to make training. I know the Christmas period brings a lot of work for the boys, and it is a time for being with family, however if we want to win this trophy then we have to put the work in. I think all the boys want to be at training, because there are places up for grabs and everyone wants to be on that team sheet come the 7th of January.

You lost your three strikers in Matt Anderson, Dan Tait and Tim Childs at the start of the season, Robbie Palmer and Danny Jezeph have been scoring for fun recently, do you feel they are the right replacements?

Oh without a shadow of a doubt. Rob [Palmer] and Danny [Jezeph] seemed to have clicked right from the first game. Danny has scored 17 goals in 8 appearances, which is quite remarkable, and Rob on the other hand has a healthy 7 goals. There is still a long way to go, so these guys have a crucial part to play! It was disappointing seeing Matt, Dan and Tim go, but they have been great servants to the club in the past few seasons.

Your captain Stuart Gallon is yet to make an appearance through illness, has he been missed amongst the players?

Of course! Gall [Gallon] is a big personality in the team. His better days may be behind him [Laughs], but he is still a solid player. He still comes into the dressing room before the game and gives the boys banter and gees them up, he is a great guy to have around.

And finally Rob, the Royals are currently sitting in third place, nine points behind leaders Lynn North End, but you have two games in hand. How crucial is it to win those two games, and come the end of the season, do you see a third successive title win?

It does seem like we are dropping behind, but you have to remember we have only lost one game this season and won the rest. There is a long way to go so North End can easily drop points, they still have to play us! I am not concerned at the moment going into Christmas, I’m confident that we will eventually gain on them, as long as we continue to play good football. As defending champions, there is nothing that I want more than to win the title for the third successive year.

Henderson Brace Sinks Sorry Coventry

Millwall 3-0 Coventry City

Two goal hero Darius Henderson helped Millwall defeat a poor Coventry side at The Den. A result that moves them up to 15th place and continues an impressive run of three consecutive wins.

The Lions had much of the possession in the opening ten minutes. Jack Smith dragged a shot wide, before Darius Henderson headed over after a deep cross froma a lively Liam Feeney.

The game evened out shortly before half time. Millwall's Henderson, Feeney and Jay Simpson all had half chances. Coventry's attacking midfielder Gary McSheffrey should have done better with his attempt.

The best opportunity of the half fell to Jimmy Abdou just before the break. Simpson played the Frenchman through on goal and would have made it 1-0 had Richard Wood not cleared off the line.

Millwall started the second half brightly and their persistance when top scorer Henderson broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Midfielder Liam Trotter played a clever pass into the area for Henderson, who beat one player before firing a low shot that deflected off James McPake and into the net.

It was soon 2-0 when the in-form Henderson grabbed his secong goal in the 69th minute. Trotter again supplied the pass for Henderson, who then curled a left footed shot passed the hapless Joe Murphy.

Liam Feeney put the game beyond all doubt in the 82nd minute. Trotter slipped a pass through the defence for Feeney to slot past Murphy and grab a well deserved goal.

Trotter could have made it four late on, only for Murphy to save superbly.

Millwall manager Kenny Jacket was quick to praise his summer signing Darius Henderson after his impressive performance. Jacket said' "Darius has made a great start to his Millwall career, he is in great form at the moment, and is playing very well for us".

"Every signing is a gamble and finding centre-forwards for the Championship is a big call. It is very tough and i would agree it was a risk".

"He has given us presence and quality because he can bring people into play as well, and when you get the ball into the box he is a threat".

Coventry manager Andy Thorn warned his players that he is sick of excuses.

"It was like two different where playing out there and when people start to think that they are individuals, you've got problems".

"Our second half performance was unacceptable - to turn in a performance like that was amatuerish".

Millwall will now hope to continue their good form when they travel to Blackpool on Saturday. Coventry will be in the relegation zone when high flying Southampton travel to the Ricoh.

MoM: Liam Trotter
Ref:Phillips
Att: 9,517