By Jeff Burnige at St Paul’s
The Lionesses’ young side lost 2-1 in a brilliant league derby against their London rivals, high-flying Fulham, at St Paul’s last Sunday.
Dealing with a mounting list of injuries and suspensions, manager Jack Wheeler selected six of the club’s under-18 Academy side, and a large and appreciative crowd saw a tight game in the sunshine in Rotherhithe.
This was the last home league game of the season. Millwall started well and sixteen-year-old Frances Kerr could have scored when she struck an early chance narrowly wide with her left foot.
Poppy Payne was strong in the back four, replacing Amy Nash due to strict concussion protocols. Milly Penfold and Sophie Chapman worked hard in a midfield as they faced Fulham’s Romanian international Oana Negrea.
The Lionesses started the second half on top, but defensive errors resulted in two quick Fulham goals, before Millwall staged a fighting comeback in the last fifteen minutes.
Payne set up Mollie Hawkins for a brilliantly-taken goal for 2-1, and then Maisie Joyce, who won Millwall FC’s Goal of the Month for March, struck the post with another trademark free-kick.
The hosts just could not find the equaliser and it was Fulham who went home with all three points.
The Lionesses travel to Dartford for their last London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division game on April 24.