Reece Endicott - a Millwall AP student shadowed the Millwall Media Team on Good Friday.
The Lions hosted The Hatters at The Den as Reece saw behind the scenes of a match-day in the eyes of the Media Department.
Reece experienced going pitch-side to get some footage of the Millwall players warming up before heading up to the press box to prepare and write his report throughout the match.
Following that, he got to see Gary Rowett conduct his post-match interview duties whilst being asked questions by club media.
Reece’s match report on the game can be seen below:
Gary Rowett’s Lions welcomed Rob Edward’s Hatters In a grudge match towards the top of the Championship table on a packed afternoon in South East London.
Millwall made 3 changes from the 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns, Hutchinson comes in for the injured Charlie Cresswell while Oliver Burke comes in for George Honeyman on the wing. Billy Mitchell made a long awaited return to the matchday squad as he was named on the bench.
Luton Town remain unchanged after the impressive derby win against Watford at the weekend.
A cracking atmosphere welcomed the two teams as they walked out of the tunnel ahead of this playoff six pointer, both Luton and Millwall fans in fine voice as a sellout crowd greeted The Den for the third time this season.
The first few minutes of the match were played at a very fast pace, as seen with the first chance of the game just three minutes in, when Zian Flemming lobbed a ball over the top of Luton’s defence to Oliver Burke who’s weak effort was easily picked up by Ethan Horvath.
Early pressure and tension was rising, that was solidified by Matt Campbell going down which The Lions supporters did not react to well.
Both clubs didn’t have many opportunities due to the scrappy nature of how this match was played out, that was well documented in the numerous chances in the Luton box, where no one could really find an opportunity to shoot.
Millwall pressure was starting to build, as evident when Bradshaw found unmarked space in the Luton box but dragged it over the bar.
He would return only a few minutes later running through open space while being dragged back by one of the Luton defence. He chose to stay on his feet before hitting it straight at Ethan Horvath, The USA international having a very solid start to this match.
While it looked smooth sailing for Rowett’s men, this is the Championship and in the Championship nothing lasts forever. Luton started to press more and mistakes were there to be seen. Mcnamara’s pass was dispossessed and the inform man himself Carlton Morris looked like he has a sight of goal, before a Millwall man got back in time to deflect it away.
The end of the first half swang into Millwalls favour, Ryan Leonard’s smartly placed effort from 25 yards tipped away from the reliable Horvath again in this game.
George Saville was booked in the last action of the half as the game was firmly in the balance heading into the 15 minute interval.
As the game restarted for another 45 minutes you could tell both teams were cautious about conceding, backed up by the very few chances in the first 10 minutes. Ryan Leonard decided to try and replicate the similar strike he made in the first half this time however, it was deflected and safely into Horvaths hands.
Another Millwall chance would come as Andreas Voglsammer initially looked like he was through on goal. Luton defenders got back in time to make life difficult for the German as he tried to twist and turn his way through, but eventually he couldn’t find a way through and Horvath came to clean it up.
Murray Wallace would head over the bar as he met George Savilles lovely lofted ball from a freekick.
Alan Campbell gave away a dangerous freekick just outside of the box, while being booked in the process. Andreas Voglsammer would place it just wide. Maybe a sign that today might not just be the Lions day.
Luton needed to up their game while they certainly tried, it just wasn’t enough. Carlton Morris was through on the left hand side but the angle was simply against him as he fired straight at George Long.
Alfie Doughty would soon follow with another low effort, But George Long was there again to tip it away.
An injury blow would follow as Ryan Leonard went down and had to come off, with Jamie Shackleton replacing him. Not exactly what you want in a playoff push.
Coming towards the end Millwall were starting to go back to the ever so reliable “Long Ball Wall” as no other option seemed to work for the Lions.
Luton seemed to try to break Millwall down as they have all game, but no threat was really posed. Elijah Adebayo firing well wide of the mark was the only noteable moment in this nervy end to the game.
Scott Malone was through in the last minutes but his overhit ball ruined any kind of threat. There were many shouts that Jake Cooper was fouled in the box in the last minute of the match, but the referee waved away. Gary Rowett made his views very clear in his post match interview.
And that was all she wrote in SE16 on Good Friday. Both sides come away with a point in a hectic end to the season which is still far from over.
Reece Endicott said: “My experience on Friday was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Being able to experience what would normally be a matchday routine within the media department to going pitchside and watching the game from the press box while being able to write my own match report.
“It just shows what amazing opportunities the Trust here has to offer when you get involved and what happened on Friday was an amazing example. Just truly felt like a dream for me.”
Millwall Community Trust Education and Employability Manager, John Scarborough said: “What a fantastic journey Reece has been on since joining the Millwall AP Academy programme last academic year. He has gone on from strength to strength since and his trusted relationship with his Lead Academy Tutor Daniella has played a massive part in Reece's journey menu both academically, sporting and confidence making Reece feel comfortable to grow and also be pushed outside his comfort zone.
“The match report is an outstanding summary of the game and shows the journalist potential Reece already has! And he is already aspiring to be the next Paul Jiggins!
“I cannot thank the Millwall Media team enough for offering this opportunity to him. I know this is his dream and we are currently in the process of securing a place for him on the Millwall Media College programme course with Lewisham College for next year.”
For further information about Millwall's AP Academy, contact jscarborough@millwallcommunity.org.uk.
