Simpson ends Millwall loan spell with defeat

Jay Simpson’s loan spell at Millwall came to an end today as the Lions travelled to the County Ground to face Swindon Town. With their League One status already secure for next season, there was not much at stake for Millwall, but Jay started the game.

Having won the League One player of the season award earlier this week, Jay started the game wide right, pushing forward from midfield.

Millwall:

—————–Evans——————–

–Senda——Bignot———-Bagayoko—Robinson

–Simpson——Brkovic——Karacan—-Laird

————-Savage———Harris——-

subs: Edwards, Spiller, Smith, Fuseni, Shaw.

Millwall started the better side and had some decent possession early on. They took the lead after only six minutes, when defender Danny Senda headed home from Ahmet Brkovic’s free-kick.

The goal seemed to give the Lions more confidence and they started playing the ball around in the middle of the park, not quite Arsenal-esque, but pretty nonetheless. Jay wasn’t seeing a lot of the ball and was forced to drop deep to support his team-mates on numerous occassions. He was denied an opportunity to fire a shot on goal by a well-timed tackle from young Swindon defender Sean Morrison.

It looked as if Millwall were favourites to get the next goal, but it wasn’t to be. A foul from former West Brom defender Paul Robinson on Swindon’s Michael Timlin in the area resulted in a penalty being awarded for the hosts, which Simon Cox stepped up to take. Cox took it right footed and blasted it into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to draw Swindon level.

The goal was hard to take for Millwall, who had been so dominant in the early stages of the game. Their frustration was shown just minutes after the goal, when Zoumana Bagayoko brought down Chris Allen and was booked for unsporting behaviour. It was time for the Lions to re-group and keep their focus in check.

With both sides deadlocked, it seemed like both Millwall and Swindon wanted to get to half time still in with a chance of winning the game, and it soon developed into a tight, physical encounter. Both sides determination and frustration overboiled a minute into stoppage time, when Swidon’s Paul Mc Govern chopped down Lions’ goalscorer Danny Senda. Senda had to be substituted after suffering a serious injury and was replaced by Richard Shaw. Because of the substitution and time taken to remove Senda from the pitch, seven minutes of injury time were played. After that, the referee blew his half-time whistle with both sides going into the break level at 1-1.

Half time- Swindon 1 Millwall 1

The second half began just as the first period ended, with both sides still battling hard and giving their all to try and gain possession. Swindon gradually edged closer to the Millwall penalty area with a string of neat passes and then, on 50 minutes, former Watford man Anthony McNamee unleashed a curling effort from 20 yards out from the left hand side and it flew in past Lions’ ‘keeper Rhys Evans. A bitter disapointment for Millwall, but it was certainly a goal worthy of winning the game.

Lions boss Kenny Jackett looked to change things at this point, and introduced former Arsenal winger Ryan Smith for Bas Savage.

The strong challenges were still flying in, however, and Jay Simpson was on the end of one from Michael Timlin on 56 minutes. The challenge didn’t look as if it caused Simpson much pain but he was certainly angry at the tackle. Millwall didn’t make the most of the resulting free-kick, with a Brkovic free-kick directed into the path of the on-rushing Paul Robinson, but the defender headed over the bar from six yards out.

Swindon were growing in confidence and McNamee tried another shot from 25 yards out, at almost an identical position to the one from which he scored his goal, but this time there was not enough power on the shot and Rhys Evans managed to catch it.

A few minutes later, the home side went closer still, Billy Painter hitting a left footed volley from the 12 yards out on the left hand side of the penalty area. It was dipping, and Evans did well to tip it around the post for a corner.

On 62 minutes, Swindon made a substitution, bringing on Patrick Kanuyka for Chris Allen.

After another five or six minutes of scrappy play, Millwall brought on Ali Fuseni and withdrew Jem Karacan. Karacan had had a decent game up until this point, but was becoming a little bit tired.

Fuseni hit a stinging effort 20 yards out but Peter Brezovan saved it. Swindon responded to this renewed pressure by bringing on Ben Joyce for Billy Paynter. Millwall had further shots from Harris but couldn’t draw level.

The game ended 2-1 to Swindon. A dissapointing conclusion to the season for the Lions, but it’s been one to remember for Jay personally.

Full time- Swindon 2 Millwall 1

Having ended his loan spell at Millwall and scoring eight goals for the London club this season, Jay will now return to Arsenal and could feature in the friendly against Dorchester Town on Tuesday. He has had a fantastic time there and the awards he has picked up along the way underline that point. His future at the club remains uncertain, but if he impresses in pre-season then he may find himself in Arsene Wenger’s plans.

Check back later for updates on our other loanees, including Fran Merida and Pedro Botelho. Tomorrow, Mark Randall could play his last game for Burnley, whilst Carlos Vela’s Osasuna take on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

In other news, Arsenal reserves captain Havard Nordtveit played the whole game for Norway last night as they beat Israel 2-0. The win was not enough though, and the Norweigans will not be travelling to the UEFA u-19 European Championships. The U-17s version of the tournament kicks off tomorrow, with Gilles Sunu and Oguhzan Ozaykup in action for France and Holland respectively.