Determination is the key
19/11/02 | by Daniel Harding

The results over the weekend showed that quality is not the defining factor to success in Nationwide One, but it is successful when allied to grit and determination. Many of this weekend's results were unpredictable and there were some great stories.

The game of the weekend was, without doubt, Millwall versus Leicester at the New Den. Leicester stormed into a two goal lead, after only three minutes, through Matt Heath, his second goal in as many games, and a well taken strike from talented youngster, Jordan Stewart. The turning point in the match was when Brian Deane totally lost it and entered into a lunging tackle on Dennis Wise, for which he was given a straight red (and a hefty fine by Micky Adams).

Personally, I didn’t think the tackle was as bad as some newspapers have described it. Steven Gerrard’s cruncher on George Boateng last season and David Prutton’s tackle in the Watford game were much worse - more importantly they were two-footed.

Anyway in the 28th minute, Milwall fought back through Steven Reid who drove the ball home from inside the box. A few minutes later Callum Davidson, the victim of Wise’s indiscretions, clattered into Wise and was subbed shortly after for fear of being dismissed. It was Wise who had the last laugh as he popped up to net the equaliser, ten minutes from time. To rub salt into Leicester’s wounds, he advised Millwall keeper which way to go when Tony Warner was faced by Izzet’s penalty in stoppage time. Warner duly obliged and saved the spot kick - given after Trevor Benjamin was impeded. I think the referee could have handled this match better but it certainly must have made a good spectacle.

Portsmouth kept their cool after early pressure from Stoke at Fratton Park to take all three points after second half goal rush. Mark Burchill smashed home the first after fine work down the right wing by Kevin Harper, shortly after half time. Vincent Pericard made the points safe by heading in Todorov’s cross, before Todorov himself completed the scoring in injury time after a fine pass from the mercurial Paul Merson. The Portsmouth bandwagon rolls on - roll on December 28th - should be a cracker!

Ipswich, fresh from being knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Czech champions Slovan Liberc, went to play-off chasing Watford and put on a fine performance to win two nil. Paul Gerrard, on loan from Everton, added some stability to Ipswich’s defence and this made a difference as Joe Royle went for five at the back. Ipswich oozed quality and were too much for his team, Ray Lewington admitted afterwards. Alun Armstrong opened the scoring after 51 minutes with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Jamie Clapham added the second, six minutes later, coolly slotting home Herman Hreidarsson’s cut back. Surely, without their European distractions, Ipswich will start to surge up the table. Their encounter with the Reds in a week or two should be a good measure of how far they have come.

Brighton gained a much needed win at home to Derby County, who had Malcolm Christie sent off for two bookable offences (one being kicking the ball away - how trivial!). Kerry Mayo forced home the winner after his header had rebounded off the post. These appear to be troubled times for Derby, as they lie in mid-table well off the promotion pace, having been forced to offload Mart Poom to Sunderland, others surely will follow. The question is however, who will want them? I think Malcolm Christie only got his place back because he needed to be in the shop window, no doubt having a demoralising effect on Morris and McLeod. I don’t think they will get anywhere near the five million they would have got for Christie in the summer and the same applies for Riggott who is vastly inferior to a certain Mr. Dawson.

Sheffield Wednesday got their first point, under new boss Chris Turner, thanks to a last-gasp strike from on loan Chelsea striker, Leon Knight, against Gillingham at the Priestfield. Tommy Johnson had earlier powered Gillingham into the lead and they looked to be on course for a win after Hessenthaler’s dismissal but were undone by Knight’s superb goal.

Darren Mansaram had a brilliant game for Grimsby as they stormed into 3-1 lead at home to Preston. After Mansaram’s strike in the eightieth minute, an Alexander penalty and a late Dickson Etuhu leveller earned a point for Preston.

Norwich ended Crystal Palace’s long unbeaten run with a two nil win at Carrow Road. Paul McVeigh drilled home his eleventh of the season, cutting the gap behind Johnno to four in the league, before Robert’s calm finish finally knocked the stuffing out of the Eagles, who battled hard with Nik Michopoulos having a blinder.

An injury time Damien Francis strike sealed the points at home for Wimbledon in a 3-2 win over Walsall. Jobi McAnuff and a Neil Shipperley penalty put the Dons in control despite a first half equaliser from Junior. Danny Sonner’s smooth penalty appeared to have claimed Walsall a point but Francis had other ideas.

Rotherham and Burnley fought out a nil nil draw at Millmoor. Ian Moore hit the woodwork for Burnley and Marlon Beresford was forced into a brilliant save by a Nicky Daws free kick that nearly gave the points to Rotherham.

Wolves moved up into the top six after a hard-fought win away over Coventry to continue their impressive form. Joleon Lescott scored the first before Alex Rae scored the decider with 13 minutes to go. It should prove a tough test for the Reds on Saturday, and with our recent dismal record against Wolves (we have not beaten them since returning to this division and we have faced them seven times!). I would take a point but will be hoping for a win. The midfield battle between Ince and Prutton will be intriguing and I can’t really see anybody getting past Michael Dawson, whose talent has now been recognised by Sven Goran Eriksson.

Congratulations to Michael, who after only 15 appearance for Forest, has been called up to the England training camp, and I think will meet the Queen, for the FULL squad (I didn’t believe it at first and have lost a few quid as a result). Admittedly, there are a lot of injuries but to be called up ahead of players like Gareth Barry and John Terry after playing so few games in the first division is testament to the boy’s talent. It must be a very proud day for Paul Hart and everybody at Forest as playing against the likes of Owen and Scholes will only make him a better player. His international prospects are considerably higher than our last England international, Steve Stone, who received his last cap some six years ago. After seeing his range of passing, I don’t know if Sven will be able to resist picking him again soon.