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 Martin
Taylor was in outstanding form yet again as Wycombe frustrated Millwall
for the second time this season at The New Den. Taylor kept out a first
half effort from David Livermore and was at it again in the second-half
to deny leading scorer Neil Harrris. Even when Taylor was beaten the
woodwork came to his rescue as Wycombe forced the tie to a replay at
Adams Park on Tuesday 19th December. There was a slight
disappointment with the draw for the Third Round made later on Sunday
afternoon - the winners of the replay being drawn at home to First
Division Grimsby Town.On a boggy pitch Wycombe never really tested Lions 'keeper Tony Warner as a well disciplined Wycombe back-four kept the home side at bay. Ex-Youth Teamer Ben Townsend had a near faultless performance in the left-back slot to earn the praises of Wycombe fans and officials alike. The game marked Lawrie Sanchez's 100th game in charge at Wycombe but his team selection problem were given another twist in the week when Niall Thompson ruled himself out after gashing his leg in the LDV Vans Trophy tie with Exeter City. Sam Parkin, on loan earlier in the season to Millwall, is ruled out at Chelsea's request, while Michael Simpson was serving a one match ban for five yellow cards. As expected the Wycombe boss opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Macca and Bates taking the central roles with Mark Rogers and Ben Townsend on the right and left sides respectively. Sanchez's faith in Townsend was re-paid with the ex-Youth Teamer having a neat faultless performance in difficult conditions at The New Den. Wycombe made a bright start in front of a disappointingly low crowd. After five minutes Steve Brown played a short ball through to Keith Ryan who then stroked a shot just wide of Warner's right hand post. A minute later Ryan went on a mazey run down the left side of midfield before seeing his shot deflected wide for the first corner of the game. It proved to be Wycombe's most invigorating spell of the game. Millwall began to apply pressure and the home fans were screaming for a penalty in the 12th minute after Townsend pulled off am exquisitely timed tackle to deny Harris a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, Referee Uriah Rennie waved away the claims, ironically on an afternoon where the official was far too keen to reach for his whistle. Once again the match marked a reunion with former Wycombe defender Matt Lawrence. However, it was a fierce challenge by Lawrence on Ryan that had former team-mate Brown incensed on 19 minutes. 'Brownie' got away with a talking to from Rennie but the home fans were not so generous in forgiving the Wycombe player - giving him stick for the remainder of the game. Taylor began his goal keeping exhibition on 23 minutes when he palmed away David Livermore's shot after The Lions has worked the ball in from the right. The home side created again down their right flank on 29 minutes but there were more jeers for 'Brownie' when he cut-out Paul Ifill on the right bye-line. Millwall continued to look the more dangerous attacking side and it was only the timely intervention of McCarthy that took the ball off the head of Moody following Kinet's curling cross from the left seven minutes before the break. Half-time 0-0 Wycombe began the second-half like the first but after efforts from McSporran and Brown had failed to worry Warner it was Millwall who stepped up the pressure. In the 59th minute a rare slip by Townsend let in Ifill down the Millwall right. Ifill squared the ball to Harris who looked certain to score before Taylor stuck out an arm. Two minutes later Taylor got down well to push away a 20 yard effort from Livermore. Even when Taylor was beaten the woodwork came to his rescue - Paul Moody delaying to long in 63rd minute and seeing his shot rebound off the post following a thundering ball into the box from Lawrence. Wycombe did get a bit of breather in the 68th minute when Reid scythed down Danny Senda out on the right wing. Reid was booked for the tackle and Warner earned a yellow card for complaining. It then took Rennie almost two minutes to realise that the ball should be brought forward ten yards - the assistant referee, fourth official and the Wycombe bench all making various hand signals from the other side of the pitch. As Wycombe hung on for dear life at the end Taylor dived at full stretch to save a 35 yard free-kick from Reid. Then in the final minute of normal time Lions' substitute Richard Sadlier saw a powerful drive from the left bye-line come back off the underside of Martin Taylor's crossbar before being cleared to safety. Taylor completed a remarkable display during the four minutes of stoppage time when he got down well to collect another long range effort from Reid. At the final whistle there was no doubting that Wycombe were the happier side. On the vastly superior Adams Park surface Wycombe will also be hoping that the return of key players could swing the tie in favour of The Chairboys. Full-time Millwall 0 Wycombe 0
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