Millwall played out their 3rd goalless draw to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against Durham Women on Sunday.
21 days ago the Lionesses were 3-2 victors in the reverse fixture, but a series of missed chances at both ends meant this one ended in stalemate.
Durham teenager Jemma Purfield had the games first real chance, testing Millwall keeper Sarah Quantrill with a deflected effort. And on 18 minutes Beth Hepple’s long-range effort skimmed the crossbar, as Durham made all the early running.
Millwall grew into the match and Rosella Ayane was picked out by a wonderful pass from Naomi Cole but the striker, on-loan from Chelsea, missed from a tight angle.
The home side started the second half well and Ciara Sherwood had a couple of chances to find the net. First, a half volley that sailed wide, before she then tested the visiting keeper again moments later.
Millwall boss Dan Mlinar was satisfied with his side’s second half display. “I feel better after the second half performance, I thought we dominated possession, we looked better and we looked more of an attacking threat,” he said.
“Towards the end there if anyone was going to nick it, it was going to be us. Again, we just didn’t quite have that quality to jink or that someone who could make something out of nothing but we are trying to get that”.
If one player was going to steal the points for Mlinar’s side it was Ayane who nearly foxed Durham keeper Helen Anderson with a clever lob but the number one was quick off her line to deny the forward.
At the other end, the in-form Amelia Pereira again dazzled the defence with her silky footwork but this time was unable to find the finish.
Durham manager Lee Sanders was happy to take the point. Speaking after the match he said, “We have played really well, kept possession really well and threatened teams in the last few games but I don’t think we did that as well today.
“But we are really pleased with another clean sheet and we have got a bit of a break next week so everyone can get over niggles and knocks.
“Then we go in against Oxford having beaten them 3-0 at home we’ve got to be looking to take all three points again when we go there.”
