Kevin Nugent’s Lions proved too strong for the young Bluebirds in their Professional under-23 Development League match at Calmont Road in London – as Cardiff City U23s lost 3-0 at Millwall.
George Alexander, the 19-year-old son of former Millwall striker Gary, scored two second half goals to clinch Millwall’s victory and extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.
Alexander’s father played for West Ham, Exeter City, Swindon Town, Hull City and Millwall and George is making good progress through the Lions’ ranks.
Former Cardiff City striker centre-forward Nugent is in charge of Millwall’s under-23 team and they proved came out on top against the Bluebirds
Shamar Moore went close for Cardiff when his shot was saved by goalkeeper Ryan Sandford just after the half hour before Issac Olaofe headed in at the back past from a 37th minute corner.
Sion Spence headed just wide soon after half-time, but then Alexander took control. He converted a penalty after 73 minutes and then scored Millwall’s third near the end.
Millwall’s win keeps them in the top two of the Southern Section of the PDL, but Nugent was far from happy with his team, saying: “For 70 minutes, we weren’t great. If anything, we were average.
“In the last 20 minutes, however, we took our chances and put the game to bed – it could have been more. But, I’m not papering over the cracks with regards to the first 70 minutes.
“We want to win every game. It’s difficult to be disappointed when you win 3-0, but we’ve set some really good standards this season and we didn’t match them today. It’s good, however, that we’re near the top of the table and the players are developing.”
Junior Tiensia put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract last week, and Nugent praised the left-back, as well as stating how the gap between age groups is beginning to close.
“It’s good to get Junior tied up to the club,” said Nugent. “He has potential, but as a young lad there are parts of his game that needs to improve. We’ll be working on those with him.
“We feel we’re closing the gap [between the Under 23s and first-team] a little bit, but their performances can be up and down, so we have to make sure we gain that level of consistency in them.”
Alexander (2) and Isaac Olaofe scored Millwall’s goals. Olaofe nodded home a Jiri Skalak corner-kick to give Millwall a first-half lead before Alexander netted his double – first from the penalty spot before taking advantage of a fortunate deflection – after the break to secure the win.
Spence and Mark Harris looked the most likely for Cardiff, while Shamar Moore was denied feat two defenders and went for goal. Millwall’s ‘keeper, Sanford, saved.
Millwall: Sandford, Brown, Tiensia, Mitchell, Ransom, Strachan, Duncan, Skeffington (Burey 58), Alexander, Olaofe, Skalak. Subs not used: Topalloj, Wright, Moss.
Cardiff City: Warren Burwood, Cameron Coxe, Ryan Pryce, Tavio D’Almeida, Trystan Jones, Jack Bodenham, Kieron Evans, Laurence Wootton (Eli King 71), Mark Harris, Sion Spence (Danny Williams 66), Shamar Moore (Ryan Kavanagh 59). Sub not used: Brad Stewart (gk)
Referee: Mr R Whitton