FC Millwall vs. Preston North End – What a clearance in the Championship

Well roared, Lion! The "Lions' Den", The Den, and its predecessor stadium in Millwall have already been introduced in our "Lost Grounds". This week, the "Match of the Week" took us to the English Championship, to FC Millwall against Preston North End 3:1 (2:0). A crucial win for the "Lions". 

After the match on September 28, 2024, a typical Saturday afternoon kick in the English 2nd division, there was a sense of great relief at FC Millwall.
The Londoners had lost 3 of their first 6 games of the season and had fallen to 18th place in the mammoth English league.

"Got the result we deserved"

"I am pleased that we played so well for the first time this season," said Millwall coach Neil Harris afterwards on BBC Radio London, "we especially dominated the first half. In the last 10 minutes, we could have done better when we got a red card and conceded the goal (by Jordan Storey, 87th min. / ed.), but overall, I am satisfied."

The visual dominance with 57 percent possession ultimately did little for "PNE". "We got the result we deserved," said Preston's coach Paul Heckingbottom (not to be confused with Dieter Hecking, who was never going to be the king of HSV…), frustrated, "we were too sluggish at the start of this game." 

FC Millwall vs Preston North End: George Honeyman celebrates the crucial 1:0 for Millwall in front of one of the fan stands in "The Den". Photo: Imago

Football trips FC Millwall: Best Saturday afternoon entertainment

In sunny late summer weather – a football trip to London is definitely worthwhile this time of year – the relief was also felt in the stands. 
George Honeyman (24th min.) and Romain Esse (38th min.) secured a 2:0 lead for Millwall by halftime. The 19-year-old Englishman Esse, who also holds Ivorian nationality, is one of the three most valuable players in Neil Harris's squad with a market value of three million euros. 

It was only his second goal of the season in his fifth game. And that after an assist from top scorer Duncan Watmore (5 goals in 7 games), who couldn't score in this match.

The long drawn-out "Yeaaah" from the English fans after goals seemed even louder than usual just after halftime when Macaulay Langstaff netted to make it 3:0 after 47 minutes. You could almost hear the weight lifting from Millwall supporters' shoulders. 

13,764 spectators were present at this decisive match in "The New Den" stadium, and it’s one of the quirks of the English Championship that you can sometimes hear individual fans' shouts all the way down to the pitch. 

It was Millwall's second win of the season, both times at home.

FC Millwall moved up to 15th place in the 24-team Championship.

Preston North End remains with one win (on Matchday 2) and slipped to 22nd place. 
How important this victory was for the team from East London will be shown in the next two games. 

Millwall has to play away at Cardiff City on October 1st and then another away match against league leaders West Bromwich Albion. And Millwall hasn't shone away from home at all this season... 

When is the next London Derby with Millwall?

FC Millwall will host Queens Park Rangers on February 1, 2025, at "The New Den" for the next derby. Tickets FC Millwall and Tickets Championship are available at event-breaks.com.