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Had you bet on this tie being as it was at the start of the season, I can imagine the odds would have been good. Who would have though that Millwall and Wigan Athletic would meet in the Semi Finals of the FA Cup. So to start our build up here is just how Millwall made it to this years Semi.
3rd Round Tie Millwall 1-0 Preston
Home tie to start, and it was a first half strike which separated the two sides at the Den. It was a game where they never really hit the height they could have done during the game. Yet they held onto their one nil lead and looked confident defensively.
4th Round Tie Millwall 2-1 Aston Villa
Another home tie for Millwall and they drew a tie against struggling Aston Villa. Confidence that Millwall could get a win was high. Yet it looked to be going the way of Villa as they took a lead in the 22nd minute. Yet Danny Shittu pulled them back into the game five minutes later.
Going in at half time it was 1-1 and the tie looked to be heading the home-sides way, and w a late winner from John Marquiz sealed the win and a fifth round tie for the Lions.
5th Round Tie Luton 0-3 Millwall
Millwall then faced a game against non-league giant killers Luton. The Hatters had already beaten Wolves and Norwich City so far in the FA Cup and you wondered if they could do it for the third time. Yet it turned out to be a comfortable 3-0 win for Millwall who rarely had to get out of third gear.
Quarter Final Tie Millwall 0-0 Blackburn
Two teams who were in similar places in the Championship, and they both fired blanks in a stalemate. Blackburn were lucky to have a replay. Millwall had been by far the better team during the tie, and had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be disallowed.
Quarter Final Replay Blackburn 0-1 Millwall
A header three minutes before half time sealed the win for the Lions as they booked their place against us. Millwall hadn't been as dominate during the game, but deserved their lead at half time. Some good rear guard defending helped to keep a clean sheet and win the tie.
So what can we tell from this? Millwall are good at winning game by the one goal. Danny Shittu seems to be a key player at both ends of the pitch so far in the FA cup for them. Yet when it comes down it they can knock the ball about well and cause teams some real problems.
This will be by no means an easy team to try and beat.