There is rarely a dull moment being a Millwall supporter and we have taken a look at some of the greatest goals that have been scored for the club.
Since the turn of the century, the Lions have been involved in three promotions, two relegations, six playoff campaigns and an FA Cup final, so it is no surprise that supporters have also been able to enjoy plenty of spectacular and memorable goals.
We have picked out the very best of the bunch and composed a list of the top-five goals ever scored for Millwall
1. Gary Alexander v Scunthorpe 2009 League One Playoff Final
Even if this goal wasn’t scored during a playoff final at Wembley, it would still have to rank high on this list, as the sheer quality of the strike from forward Alexander was a joy to behold.
Millwall were 1-0 down to Scunthorpe with 37 minutes on the clock when the ball landed on the chest of Alexander over on the left hand-side.
The then 29-year-old cushioned the ball inside onto his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable dipping volley from fully 30 yards that gave Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy no chance.
Alexander added a second just two minutes later, but it wasn’t to be for the Lions, as Scunthorpe ended up winning the match 3-2 and thus earned promotion to the Championship.
2. Tim Cahill v Sunderland 2004 FA Cup Semi-Final
This may not be the best goal in Millwall’s history in terms of skill, but it makes it onto this list as it was the strike that sent the Lions through to their first and so far only FA Cup final.
It was also the most important of the 57 goals Cahill scored for the club and it perhaps played a role in him earning a move to Everton just a few months later.
Paul Ifill did most of the groundwork, pouncing on some uncertainty in the Sunderland backline before forcing a smart save from Black Cats goalkeeper Mart Poom.
However, Cahill was quickest to the rebound and despite having a number of bodies between him and the goal, the midfielder was able to rifle the ball into the roof of the net and put Millwall 1-0 up after 26 minutes.
That proved to be enough to send the Lions through to the biggest game of their history against Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium, with the 3-0 defeat to the Red Devils almost proving irrelevant given the achievement of reaching the final.
3. Neil Harris v Watford 2002
This goal may have only been the fourth in a 4-1 victory over Watford on New Year’s Day 2002, but it was spectacular and emotional for so many reasons.
Harris had been diagnosed with testicular cancer the year before, but after undergoing treatment he had been given the all-clear to resume his playing career.
With Millwall already 3-1 up, the forward was sent on for the final few minutes to run down the clock, but he did so much more than that, as he picked up the ball midway inside his own half and carried it to the edge of the Watford box before curling an unstoppable shot into the far corner.
That was the cue for some memorable celebrations for the club’s players, staff and supporters alike.
Harris is a true Millwall legend, scoring a club-record 138 goals across his two spells at The Den, while he also enjoyed a successful four-and-half year stint as manager before leaving in October 2019.
4. Steve Morison v Bradford 2017 League One Playoff Final
Another goal that makes this list due to its importance is this winning strike from veteran forward Morison that sealed Millwall a 1-0 victory over Bradford at Wembley and, with it, promotion back to the Championship after a two-year absence.
The strike came with just five minutes remaining, when Morison volleyed home from close range after Lee Gregory had flicked on Shaun Williams’ initial cross.
It was Morison’s 19th goal of the season across all competitions and by far his most important, with Millwall having not looked back since, as they are now firmly consolidated in the Championship, while Bradford are currently in the bottom-half of League 2.
5. Tim Cahill v West Ham 2004
It is no surprise to see Cahill’s name featuring on this list once again, with this spectacular volley against West Ham coming just a couple of weeks before his winner against Sunderland in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Cahill made a name for himself throughout his career for notable volleys and this was one of his best, as he netted his second and Millwall’s third against their London rivals, a match the Lions ultimately went on to win 4-1 at The Den.
Like against Sunderland, it was Ifill that proved the architect, as his corner landed squarely on the left boot of Cahill, who powered home a volley from the penalty spot despite appearing to be falling when he made contact with the ball,
That was one of 12 goals Cahill scored that season and it also helped the Lions to their first victory over West Ham in nearly 12 years.
