Manager Neil Harris wasn’t just delighted with our comprehensive victory over Braintree at the weekend, he was also delighted to see Millwall draw Premiership side Bournemouth.
Hosting non league Braintree at The Den for the game, Millwall took the five two victory on the day with goals coming from a Harry Smith hattrick and further strikes from Shane Ferguson and Aiden O’Brien.
It meant Millwall cleared the second round tie of the FA Cup in pretty comfortable style and our reward for that in Monday evening’s draw was a home tie against Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.
Speaking to the official site in his post game press conference, a delighted Harris said of the game.
‘Firstly I’m pleased that we weren’t on the wrong end of an upset because, as we expected, Braintree came here and gave it a real go from the off and were a threat going forward. We did make it difficult for ourselves at times, but we responded well after going a goal behind, and it was a great day for Harry Smith who scored his first senior hat-trick.’
Harris went on to say.
‘There were a number of plus points, not least Lee Gregory coming through virtually the whole game after missing the last two, and I thought he and Harry linked up well together. Sid Nelson also came through an hour unscathed after a five week lay-off and he will have benefited from that after a run out for the U23s earlier in the week.’
As for the cup draw itself, Harris was delighted to pull a Premier League side to The Den for the third round and the last time we played Bournemouth in the FA Cup – the only time in fact – Harris was in the team in December 2007 where we took a two one victory.
Reacting to the Monday evening draw, Harris explained.
‘This is a really good draw for us. First and foremost getting a home tie was the main priority and I am delighted with Bournemouth. It’s great to give yourselves a challenge against a Premier League team. Under Eddie Howe they are a club that has really progressed in last five to seven years. It’s going to be a real tough challenge against a top Premier League side.’
As for his own memories of the opposition, he went on to say that he had fond and tough memories and he was expecting the same this time, especially given their quality now in the top flight.
‘I have played against them in the FA Cup once before and in the FA Cup games everything goes out of the window, League positions count for nothing. This is an opportunity for us to try and cause an upset because that’s what it is; we are going to be the underdogs up against a team two Leagues above us. It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves against players of international quality. It’s a challenge and certainly a game to look forward to. However, I will be reminding my players that the main priority is focusing on a lot of football in between now and the Third Round, starting with Wycombe at home on Wednesday night.’
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