Alex Russell took charge of his final game as manager of the Millwall Lionesses on Sunday when the former two-time FA Cup champions were beaten 4-0 by Dartford FC Women.
Photo: Dartford FC Women.
After only five minutes, former lioness Poppy Payne, who left Millwall for Dartford in the summer, nearly opened the scoring. Beth Powell, another former Lioness, put in a great cross to the back post and Payne’s shot was cleared off the line by Millwall captain Jordan Butler.
16-year-old Millwall goalkeeper Evie Thorne-Ford had an exceptionally good game, despite losing 4-0. Her first major save came after 11 minutes when Dartford’s Teni Charles put a ball into Amy Russ whose shot was brilliantly saved by the academy graduate.
After constant Dartford pressure in the opening stages of the game, they finally found a way through to open the lead. Ellie Dolby, the daughter of former Millwall midfielder Tony Dolby, whipped in a good ball and from 6-yards-out, Amy Russ had a chance at goal to break the deadlock.
Just 10 minutes later, Dartford scored a second of the game. After a corner from the right-hand side, Poppy Payne’s effort rebounded off a Millwall defender and ended in the back of the net.
Experienced head Grace Seely came onto the field just after the goal, replacing Masie Joyce on 34 minutes.
Despite the change, Millwall did not really improve & after the half time break, Dartford came out looking to continue their dominance – and they did just that.
Nine minutes into the second half, Amy Russ got her second goal of the game. Xayla-Rae Alberts done well to put the ball through Millwall’s defense and after rounding the ‘keeper, Russ slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Dartford then rounded off the superior performance by adding a fourth goal. Beth Powell crossed the ball in, Payne had a shot, and it was initially blocked, but the ball bundled over the line.
Millwall Lionesses will now be in search of a new manager after Alex Russell announced his resignation hours after the final whistle & his co-manager, Adam Rowland, announced his resignation just two weeks ago.
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