First-half flurry fires Ferencváros

A powerful three-goal first-half performance from Ferencvárosi TC ended Millwall FC's UEFA Cup challenge in the first round at the Üllöi úti stadium in Budapest.
 
Early goals
Ferencváros struck three times in 15 first-half minutes to take control of the tie, with Dénes Rósa setting the home side on the path to victory with a 26th-minute header. That was followed before the break by further strikes from Sorin Botis and Robert Vagner. Dennis Wise snatched a goal back for the London side before half-time but, despite a spirited second-half performance, Millwall were unable to force their way back into the match.

Tough task
Millwall had left themselves a tough task after drawing the first leg 1-1 at the New Den in London, but they took advantage of a slow start from the home side to seize the initiative. Paul Ifill missed a good chance to open the scoring after 12 minutes, but Millwall were containing their opponents well and offering an attacking threat of their own.

Ferencváros strike
But the momentum shifted decisively in favour of the Hungarian side on 26 minutes when Rósa climbed unchallenged to meet a cross from the right to put Ferencváros ahead. Botis added the second six minutes later with another header, before a sweeping counterattack on 41 minutes resulted in Vagner scoring the third with a deflected shot.

Millwall battle
Millwall were stunned, but, to their credit, continued to battle and Wise gave his side hope on 45 minutes. David Livermore scuffed his shot from ten metres but the ball went straight to the Millwall player-manager, who clipped a shot over Lajos Szücs in the Ferencváros goal.

Vagner threat
Ferencváros continued to threaten after the break and Vagner almost added a fourth on 51 minutes, beating Graham Stack with a sweetly-struck shot only for the ball to fly just wide of the post.

Harris heartache
But Millwall were also creating chances and were unfortunate not to reduce the deficit. On 67 minutes Neil Harris came close when the ball dropped to him in the area from a corner, but he shot into the side-netting. Substitute Peter Sweeney then hit the post with a volley and Mark McCammon also hit the woodwork.

Ferencváros through
But Ferencváros, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup winners in 1964/65, held firm to win a lively tie and advance to the group stage 4-2 on aggregate.