Nothing violent except the rainfall

In almost every sense it was drama-free. After the trouble that marred the last meeting between fierce rivals West Ham and Millwall two years ago, the two sides played out a boring 0-0 draw yesterday at the New Den. Thankfully the lack of action on the pitch was matched outside the ground, with no repeat of the running street battles that took place during the 2009 match.

The kick-off time undoubtedly helped. Whereas the game two years ago was played on a Wednesday evening, the 12.30pm start this time lends itself to a more sedate atmosphere. Secondly, the authorities left no stone unturned in their efforts to keep the two sets of fans separated from each other. My only criticism is that communication always seems to be a weakness - and yes it can prove frustrating to be penned in for an hour when you want to get a train - but if the police's aim was to avoid violence and disorder then they certainly succeeded.

Segregation: West Ham fans get off at South Bermondsey station

Before and after the game, the police manoeuvred things so that the vast majority of West Ham and Millwall fans never got within 100 yards of each other. Away fans were herded onto separate trains into and out of London Bridge and police cordons kept aggravation to no more than a verbal slanging match.

The route between the train station and the football ground at Millwall has been specifically designed with crowd management in mind. Home fans with a fondness for the atmosphere of old at the Den have branded the walkway between the station and the away turnstiles as 'Coward's Alley' - it ensures that away fans can be marched from their seat and onto a train without as much as seeing a Millwall supporter along the way.

Scores of police lead the way post-match

Given the circumstances I don't think many of us West Ham fans had any gripes with the concept. The communication between us and the police was frustrating however. Initially after the final whistle we were informed over the tannoy that we would be allowed to head to the train in 'a few minutes'. When we were finally allowed outside we were kept behind a gate until eventually being told it would be 'single figure minutes' until we could walk to the station. In total it was well over an hour after full-time until the first travelling fans were allowed onto a train. Not ideal, especially once the heavens opened and we all got absolutely soaked.

Fenced in: waiting to be allowed to walk to the station

Again at London Bridge, there was a long wait. Women and children were allowed to leave while all adult males were kept from leaving the station. This is where the communication problem reared its head again. Inspectors ordered constables to maintain a cordon without explaining the reason for doing so. The fact that the constables were unable to explain to any of us what was happening was a cause of unnecessary bad feeling that could have easily been avoided. Then muddled orders led to the farcical sights of police officers shouting at each other as they tried to orchestrate our exit.

All in all, a minor issue and the police will be happy with their day's work. The return fixture takes place at Upton Park in February. At a stadium that lacks the ability to keep fans apart easily, it remains to be seen if the authorities will face a more difficult task keeping the peace.

Desperate times on the walk back to the train as one fan wears a cardboard box on his head as a makeshift umbrella