SENIOR player Nana Boateng and Abdul Abdulmalik both scored twice in Millwall’s 4-1 Professional Development League win against Colchester United at The Den on Tuesday afternoon.
It was the Lions’ 10th win in 13 league games and they could have won even more convincingly but Seb Drodz missed a penalty.
Kevin Nugent’s Lions under-21s are the top-scorers in the South section with a whopping 38 goals as they lie second in the table, four points behind Bristol City but with a game in hand.
The hosts went ahead inside 10 minutes when Abdulmalik fired past Carey Bloedrow in the Colchester goal.
Millwall had already hit the woodwork through Nino Adom-Malaki and from the rebound Abdulmalik’s effort came back off the crossbar.
Despite their dominance in the rain in SE16, Millwall lost their lead when Emyr Huws took aim from the edge of the penalty area and his shot deflected in.
But the Lions deservedly went back in front in the 35th minute. From a corner, centre-back Chin Okoli’s header was parried out but only to the feet of Boateng who finished from close range.
Connal Trueman – the Lions’ third-choice senior goalkeeper who joined on a free transfer from Birmingham City this season – made two good saves to help preserve his side’s lead.
Colchester tried to press for another equaliser but that left them vulnerable on the break. Millwall took advantage when Boateng and Abdulmalik combined and the former was fouled in the box. Boateng – who made his senior debut in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace last January – got up to shoot past Bloedrow.
Drodz was then bundled over in the box within five minutes but he couldn’t make it four as Bloedrow made an excellent save and then kept out Romain Esse’s follow-up.
Millwall did get their fourth in the 80th minute as Esse played in Abdulmalik who chipped home. It was the fourth time this season the Lions had scored at least four goals in a game at The Den.
Nugent’s side are next in action against Ipswich Town at home on Monday, December 5.
Photo: Millwall FC