Josh Coburn netted a double as Millwall kicked off their Championship marketing campaign with a cushty 2-0 win over 10-man Bristol Metropolis at Ashton Gate.
The house facet went a person down after 36 minutes when midfielder Adam Randell was proven a second yellow card for a foul to stop a counter-attack.
5 minutes later Coburn transformed a low Ryan Leonard cross from the suitable with a close to submit volley.
Coburn then doubled the benefit after 50 minutes, profiting from wretched defending to internet unchallenged with a downward header from 10 yards.
The consequence meant that Michael Skubala’s reign as Metropolis boss has begun with two dwelling defeats, following the shock Carabao Cup exit by the hands of League Two Walsall, and with out his facet scoring a objective.
Skubala introduced in Rob Atkinson on the again instead of the injured Cam Pring, together with attackers Dom Ballard and Yu Hirakawa, whereas Alex Neil gave Millwall league debuts to Tairyk Arconte and Jenson Metcalfe.
The guests have been the higher facet earlier than Randell’s dismissal. Camiel Neghli shot narrowly large and Casper De Norre headed over inside the primary six minutes.
Ballard despatched a shot flashing large for Metropolis from Lorent Tolaj’s Twelfth-minute knock down, but it surely was a uncommon second of hysteria for Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen.
Coburn claimed a penalty when taking place as he rounded Metropolis goalkeeper Sam Tickle, however referee Lewis Smith noticed no contact and booked the striker for simulation.
Randell’s departure, having been cautioned for a foul 13 minutes earlier, noticed Millwall crank up the strain and Coburn’s objective got here as no shock because the guests went in entrance.
The Lions started the second half like the primary and Metcalfe had a shot blocked in a crowded field earlier than Coburn’s close-range effort was saved by Tickle.
Metropolis had launched midfielder Joe Williams for Hirakawa in an effort to tighten up, however seemed large open on the again as Coburn grabbed his second.
Moments later it ought to have been 3-0 as Arconte contrived to hit a submit when unmarked following a cross from the suitable.
Tolaj shot over in a uncommon Metropolis raid, however their defence seemed all over as Metcalfe headed over.
Skubala responded with a triple substitution, sending on Sam Bell, Emil Riis and Jed Wallace for Tolaj, Ballard and Sam Greenwood.
Wallace was quickly within the motion, firing inches over from a free-kick, however the harm had already been achieved and Millwall might have added a 3rd however substitute Mark Syles despatched an effort large from 25 yards.
The managers
Bristol Metropolis’s Michael Skubala:
“The sending-off modified the sport. After an edgy begin, we have been simply beginning to get into the match and put collectively some threatening strikes.
“I have never seen the incident again, however the referee instructed me Adam pulled a shirt and if that was the case after already being booked, it was not a fantastic factor to do as a result of then it grew to become a really troublesome afternoon for us.
“We had began to get additional up the pitch and the sport was settling into the shut contest we anticipated. We have been moving into a few of the areas the place we deliberate to harm their back-line.
“The sending-off was not an excuse for the 2 objectives we conceded, which got here from moments we have to do higher in. If we had managed to maintain it at 1-0 for longer, I am positive we might have created a scenario to equalise.
“Whenever you signal so many new gamers they must hyperlink and obtain some cohesion, which takes time. I believed we have been seeing indicators of it when the sending-off occurred.
“That is the frustration. The supporters have been implausible and I am upset we weren’t capable of give them extra to cheer.”
Millwall’s Alex Neil:
“We began very well till some foolish refereeing choices to overturn throw-ins and switch a objective kick right into a nook disrupted issues.
“I feel there can be quite a lot of frustration over such choices in Championship video games this season. The referee truly had a great sport, however the brand new guidelines are there to stop groups slowing play down and killing video games within the closing phases. Neither ourselves nor Bristol have been making an attempt to try this.
“We have been instructed widespread sense could be utilized and I did not suppose it was so early within the match.
“The sending-off was one other speaking level. The second reserving for his or her participant was proper as a result of the foul prevented us launching a counter-attack.
“I am unable to bear in mind the primary one if I am sincere, however what I can say is that we turned in a very sturdy workforce efficiency, shifting the ball nicely and exhibiting an abundance of high quality.
“We hit a submit and had a objective disallowed. It was a wonderful show and we completely deserved to win.
“Josh Coburn was one of many causes we completed final season strongly. I did not suppose he confirmed that type in pre-season and we talked about it, however in the present day he scored two objectives and confirmed he might be top-of-the-line strikers within the Championship.”