Our Supporters
07 May 2014
This article is more than 3 years old

Millwall v AFC Bournemouth match report by William Kilgannon

Men United reporter, William Kilgannon (aged 11) provides the official Prostate Cancer UK match report on Saturday 3 May 2014, the last home game of the season for Millwall FC.

Men United reporter, William Kilgannon (aged 11) provides the official Prostate Cancer UK match report on Saturday 3 May 2014, the last home game of the season for Millwall FC.

William is from a family of Millwall fans including his Dad, Brian, a man living with prostate cancer. As a family they have worked tirelessly to support Men United alongside Millwall FC, another key part of our team.

On Saturday the Lions needed a win to secure their status in the SkyBet Championship. We asked Millwall fan, and Men United reporter, Kilgannon to report on the action from the Den. Deano Standing, Billy Taylor watch out!

This was the day. If Millwall went down it would be back to square one, if we stayed up Ian Holloway would be a hero after our poor start to the season.

The stadium was silent ... For once! Everybody knew how important this match was, I felt nervous, but hoped Millwall would come up trumps. The stadium was full and you could feel the nervous tension in the air, it meant so much, to everyone.  

When the players walked out the tunnel, the stadium erupted. The whistle blew for kick off."COME ON YOU LIONS!" filled the Den. Bournemouth fans singing was drained out by Millwall's effortless support.

After 10 minutes in the first half, centre back Mark Beevers was lucky to only get a yellow card after tripping Bournemouth's striker when it was a one on one with Millwall's player of the year - David Forde. Ollie was taking no risks so he decided to swap Mark for Paul Robinson, a Millwall legend.

Then Steve Morison hit the bar and it looked like it wouldn't be our day. But soon after Owen Garvan won the ball back and he put a excellent cross in. Woolford slipped his marker and headed home our first goal! The crowd went crazy - and so did Ollie. All the fans threw their hands in the air. The atmosphere was amazing it was nothing like I experienced before. "Milllllllllwallllllllllll!" screamed the fans.

The whistle blew, half time. I couldn't imagine the tension in that dressing room. Now it was all about tactics. Did Ollie defend for his life or push on for another goal?

Just after the break it was nearly 2-0 but the post denied Owen Garvan. Bournemouth had a few one on ones with David Forde but he denied them from clinching back a goal. That's why he's Millwall's player of the year. Ollie brought on Jackson for 6 ft 8 Maierhofer. Jackson made a real impact on the game. Jackson got in a one on one chance with Bournemouth's keeper twice but the ball skidded across the goal.

The final whistle went. "YESSSSSS!", we had stayed up. It meant so much to  the fans, that in their excitement, they invaded the pitch trying to find some players to congratulate. I couldn't believe it! I breathed a sigh of relief. Another season was over with and we were staying in the Championship!

Although we won 1-0 it could have been 5-0 if we'd have taken our chances. But we stayed up and that's all that matters.  For Millwall a night of celebration, for Bournemouth a long journey home.  

If you would like to write a future match report, find out how you could help spread the word about a disease that affects 1 in 8 men in the UK or fundraise with your club get in touch.

You could join Brian and William in the Men United Hall of Fame.