Game 8 Palace put to the sword

A rare Palace attack

A hapless Crystal Palace were sent packing from the Capital One Cup by a rampant Preston North End, the 4-1 victory tells it's own story as goals by Wroe 2, Monakana and Sodje secured a place with the big boys in round 3.
North End started poorly with Laird's first pass finding an empty seat in the stand, but within 90 seconds they were 1 up, a cross from the left was headed back towards the penalty spot were Nicky Wroe was in the right place to smash the ball past ex PNE youth player Lewis Price. (1-0)
North End had other chances to increase the lead but fine goalkeeping kept the lead down until the 18th minute when after a spot of head tennis Sodje forced the ball home from close range. (2-0)
North End were in total command, with Wroe outstanding and Monakana on the wing giving Palace defenders nightmares with his pacy runs, but 10 minutes before half time completely against the run of play, Moxey who had a decent game for the visitors put over a cross from the left to the far post, personally think Simonsen should have dealt with the cross but he hesitated and Wilbraham out jumped Laird to head home. (2-1)
Palace were back in the game but only for four minutes when Monakana set off on yet another run, he left a couple of defenders for dead before firing a rasping shot past Price for the third. Stunning. (3-1)
A standing ovation for the home side at the break.
Palace made two changes at half time with the pacy Zaha and Moritz being brought and to be fair to them they started to become more of a threat. Zaha thought he should have had a penalty which was waved away by the referee, and Moritz effort brought a fine save from Simonsen in the home goal. 
North End increased their lead after 63 minutes with a fine team goal a series of passes down the left hand side ended with Wroe curling a shot into the net via the finger tips of Price and the inside of the post.(4-1)
Palace battled on and the unlucky Zaha may have been rewarded with a penalty. Palace had chances to reduce the deficit but great last ditch clearances by Wright and Buchanan saved the home side.
The final stages of the game were a bit tetchy as several crunching tackles were made, there was also a brief bit of handbags as Zaha reacted to a tackle from Laird, but take nothing away from the home side the scoreline didn't lie.

Preston North End 4 Crystal Palace 1 Att 5100

Irwell Valley Blues

Ramsbottom United picturesque ground is situated between the River Irwell and the East Lancashire Steam railway line. On a dank Lancastrian bank holiday afternoon.
The home sides re arranged FA Cup tie against Brigg Town from Lincolnshire was given the go ahead after the original game was postponed because of flooding on Saturday. A dry day yesterday had meant the river had retreated to it’s normal course and play was possible.
The cricket club next door was a different story as the second team game had been abandoned hence the number of cricketers attending the match.
An early chance to Brigg went wide before the home side took the lead from a disputed free kick.
The hopelessly inadequate one man wall could do nothing as the ball went over his head, hit the inside of the post and into the net on the far side, Stopforth scoring. (1-0)
From that moment it was all one way, Brigg could find no answer to the nippy Ramsbottom wingers, with the left winger causing mayhem down his side of the pith.
A second nearly arrived when the home centre forward was denied by a Last ditch save by the Brigg keeper, however it was soon to be two.
From a corner on the left Ayres powered in a thunderous header to double the lead. (2-0)
The visitors struggled to keep the score down as the home side played some super football.
The second half started and within four minutes the game was over as a contest when a long punt from the United keeper found the Brigg defence missing, two home forwards bore down on goal, one drew the keeper from his goal before passing Hulme who made it three. (3-0)
Carnage followed the home side had numerous chances, they hit the post missed a penalty and put several efforts narrowly wide.
Brigg thoroughly outclassed battled on a could have pulled a goal back from a header from a home defender which was heading for his own net but the keeper made a great save.
The only save Brigg from defeat was a comeback of epic proportions or the river flooding the grond, as the rain teemed down from the leaden skies the latter looked more likely but it was not to be

Ramsbottom United 3 Brigg Town 0 Att 203

The 2nd goal is just bout to hit the back of the net

One unique thing about this friendly club is you don’t get a trashy plastic cup with you pre match brew you get a mug. Quality

Game 6 Should have been a walk in the park

Brockstedes Park of Garswood saw my non league debut for the season with the home side Ashton Athletic playing Lancaster City in the Preliminary round of the FA Cup.
A rather stop start journey in the car due to mechanical problems due to driving through rather high flood water in the neighbouring village were I live.
After a couple of stops on the M6 managed to find the ground with only one wrong turning, not bad for me.
A neat little ground situated next to the M6 with what looked liked an excellent playing surface.
Lancaster were ahead within a minute when the home side failed to clear their lines and BUNNEY scored easily from CLOSE RANGE. (0-1)
City were dominating and should really have had the game sewn up within the first 20 minutes, with Clark hitting the post and the home keeper making several fine saves to keep out the rampant visitors.
But with their first shot on target Athletic scored with City keeper Holden being beaten on his right hand side by WARD's shot.
The goal gave confidence to the home side and they started to press forward and were rewarded with a second goal 10 minutes later.
A cross from the right being headed home by BAILEY. (2-1)
Athletic deservedly led at the half time whistle.
The second half was all one way Lancaster dominating but rarely looking like scoring although Elderton's header from a corner hit the bar.
The home side defended manfully throwing bodies in the way of all City's attacks.
It began to look like it was going to be Athletic's day but with 12 minutes to go Wilson's mazy run was halted by a foul and a penalty was give.
SWARBRICK sent the keeper the wrong way. (2-2)
Wainwright hit the side netting and Kilfin wasted a chance to win the game for City at the death but Athletic deservedly got the drawtheir efforts warranted.
The gate of 79 included a very vocal following from Lancaster, they have to do it all over again on Tuesday night.

Lancaster in blue attack in the first half

Ashton Athletic 2 Lancaster City 2 Att 79

Game 5 Shrewsbury away

Preston’s first trip to the Greenhous Meadow at Shrewsbury ended in defeat, ex Preston player Paul Parry scored the only goal of the game after 4 minutes. This was Preston’s first visit to Shropshire for 15 years, the last time the two clubs met was Shrewsbury’s last home game at this level, Shrewsbury lost that one 2-0.
The first meaningful action of the game led to the only goal of the game, Huntingdon clumsy foul on Morgan led to a free kick which was only partially cleared to Parry 25 yards out who blasted the ball home to give the home side the lead. (1-0)
The early stages were dominated by the home side and it wasn’t until Morgan went close that the away side actually started to get into the game, Holmes had a rare effort on goal which was easily blocked by the home defence before ex Shrewsplayer fired in a shot from distance which was well saved by Weale in the home goal. The visitors forced a series of corner which were easily dealt with by the home defence.
At half time Sodje replaced the ineffective King for the visitors, who in the early stages of the 2nd half had the majority of the game however it was the home side that went closet when a header hit a post from a corner. Also a Gornall shot went close.
As North End pushed for an equaliser a Monakana cross evaded everyone in the 6 yard box with no visiting forward able to get to the bar, then with about 15 minutes left North End had a great chance to level the score, Sodje challenged keeper Weale for the ball, it ran free to Beardsley whose scuffed shot was flicked towards goal by Sodje but a well positioned Shrews defender cleared easily.
Apart from a free kick from the home side which went just over the bar, little happened in the last 15 minutes as the home side ran the clock down to ease to the three points.

Shrewsbury Town 1 Preston North End 0 att 6444

The picture was taken a couple of seconds before the goal was scored Parry is top left just outside the penalty area

Next up Ashton Athletic v Lancaster City FA Cup 1st Preliminary Round

Game 4 Away we go

A point is better than nothing as Preston North End and Colchester United played out a goalless draw this afternoon. A sultry afternoon in Preston as Colchester started the game kicking towards the Town End. 
The visitors settled quickly and probed away at the home defence which held firm without any major scares, a shot from Wilson whistled well over the bar as did many of the U's efforts during the afternoon.
Slowly North End began to get on top with Monakana showing silky skills on the right wing.
North End's first real chance came from a Wroe free kick which Cousins in the visitors goal did well to tip over the bar, from the resulting corner Laird was just about to hammer a shot to goal but veteran Clinton Morrison made a great saving tackle.
A rare Colcester corner led to a bit of wrestling in the area between Keane and O'Toole it looked a draw with no falls or submissions, however within a minute there was argy bargy at the other end as Monakana chasing a through ball clattered into the Colchester keeper.
Mr Gibbs produced the yellow card when a red could have so easily have been given.
As the temperature off the pitch rose the game staggered towards half time with both sides grateful for the shelter of the dressing room.
As with the first half Colchester began the brighter although it wasn't to long until a Monakana effort was again when saved by Cousins.
Colchester offered little threat in the early stages as North End tried to find away through the visitors defence with the tireless Beardsley working his socks off.
Cousins got a stroke of luck when an Amoo 30 yards pile driver was spilled by the keeper but fortunately a defender was on hand to clear it.
Colchester finally drew a couple of saves from Stuckmann although in truth the efforts were extremely tame.
A Laird effort then drew another good save from Cousins, from the resulting corner it looked as the the home side should have been awarded a penalty, the entire Town End claimed for the kick but Mr Gibbs was not for giving it.
Colchester pushed forward towards the end trying to sneak a winner but they never looked like getting it.

Preston North End 0 Colchester United 0 att 10000


The picture is the visitors starting the match

Game 3 More of that please

After a 3 year break decent passing football returned to Deepdale as North End beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 in front of 5750 fans who apart from the couple of hundred Huddersfield fans went away extremely happy with what they had seen. 
Having watched dross for far to long the performance the home side put in was light years above anything seen on the Deepdale pitch in recent years. 
They started well with a Moushino pile driver being parried away by Smithies in the first minute, King narrowly failed to put the ball in the net from the rebound. 
This set the tone for the first 1o minutes or so as Preston forced a series of corners which were well dealt with by the Huddersfield back line. 
Gradually the Terriers got back into the game, probing down the left hand side of the pitch were Keane was having difficulty coping with the visitors speedy winger Ward. 
A weak shot from Southern and a Gobern effort which went wide. 
Spencer had a great chance for the visitors but scooped his shot over the bar when he really should have done better. 
A couple of fiesty tackles flew in as the game became slightly heated, however on 29 minutes the home fans got their first goal of the season. 
Monakana deep cross to the edge of the 6 yard box where King rose above the defenders to head past Smithies into the Huddersfield net. (1-0)
The next ten minutes saw some super football from the home side and they were further rewarded on 40 minutes when Beardsley excellent shielded the ball on the by line before centering for Wroe to ghost in a la Martin Peters to make it two from close range. (2-0) 
A standing ovation for the home side at half time, a rare thing indeed. 
The second half was a bit more low key, Monakana should have done better when firing across goal, but the visitors started to throw caution to the wind, Novak having a blistering effort turned away for a corner and a cross from Dixon which flew across the face of the goal. 
North End substitute Amoo nearly created a third but his cross evaded every one in the goal mouth. 

As a first date it wasn't bad but like most relationships you are going to have good and bad period, after 43 years of being in a relationship with the club the old romance has been stirred again after a lengthy period of unhappiness. 
Long may it last. 

Preston North End 2 Huddersfield Town 0 Att 5750

North End celebrate the first goal by King

Should have been a classic

Warton CC V Westgate CC 11/8/2012

What should have been a good game turned out to be very one sided. The top of the table Westmorland league game between 2nd place Warton and leaders Westgate turned out to be a stroll in the park for Warton.
After about 10 overs Westgate were 24-5 thanks to excellent home bowling. As expected in a title clash there was a bit of chat mainly from Warton's noisy skipper Bovis.
He gave a Westgate batsman a verbal send off which wasn't received well by the departing batsman.
A decent stand started to pull Westgate from their difficult position but loose shots and accurate bowling soon made Westgate succumb to 68 all out,Warton started off with three boundaries in the first over, but were soon 30-2.
Would Westgate pull off a sensational victory, well no, Warton lost 1 more wicket and won with about 29 overs to spare.

In the above picture the Warton bowler is just about to take a catch off his own bowling. The picture wasn't taken by an expert.

With a good couple of hours to kill made my way back home and called into Shireshead to watch the last bit of the 2nd XI game against Holme. Shireshead had made 209 and Holme were 33-6 when I arrived..
Shireshead duly won but the last wicket was unique, the Holme batsman was a blonde haired girl, sadly she got a first baller which was met by boos all round, given out LBW.
Village cricket can't be beaten

What no cricket!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shireshead cricket club on a glorious Saturday afternoon, the picture above however is not all it seems, an hour before the edge of a thunder storm had stopped play with Shireshead 33-5 against Warton.
The wicket had been difficult and the two Warton bowlers had exploited the conditions excellently.
The rain curtailed the game, tea was taken early in readiness for a restart however as is the quirkiness of the game of cricket, neither captain could agree when a start could be made, the umpire took the view that the conditions were dangerous and at 6pm the game was abandoned.

Game 2 It's all Greek to me

Wasn't going to go to this but decided to go and pick up my season ticket which wasn't ready. The gravitational pull around the ground forced to the ticket booth were by divine intervention purchased a ticket.
A blowy rather chilly day for Preston's friendly with the Greek side AEK Athens.
Like North End they have gone through a major player re organisation during the close season.
A fairly lifeless first half in which North End dominated produced little in the way of goal mouth entertainment. Apart from a weak Wroe effort there was nothing else to trouble either keeper.
The first 10 minutes of the 2nd half saw a hatful of chances for both sides, Wroe, Holmes going close for the home side whist Stuckmann pulled of a super save at the other end.
Then the substitutes arrived the Greeks made 7 in 10 minutes, the play became understandibly disjointed although to be fair to the Greeks they seemed to play better and were on top with several efforts going close.
With 15 minutes to the Greeks had changed the entire team and really should have been ahead when an effort was crashed against the bar. As the game drifted towards it's conclusion Moanakana who had shown some ability on the right wing got into the AEK areaand his cross cum shot hit a defender and was diverted into the net for a goal to the home side. There was only a minute left when the goal came which left the Greeks with little time to get back into the game.
All in all a decent workout and a win to boot.

Preston North End 1 AEK Athens 0 att2300

Game 1 Seaside delight

A chilly and windy Haig Avenue in Southport heralded the started of Preston's 2012/13, after a summer of change at Deepdale the starting XI bore little resemblance to the side that finished the last league season. A decent crowd of about 1500 mostly Preston fans who had made the short journey down the coast.
The new look side started well and were two up within 15 minutes, the first from a Keane cross was majestically headed home by a Southport defender. (0-1)
The 2nd came from a Byron penalty after Holroyd had been brought down. By the time Byron was approaching the goal the keeper had virtually dived leaving Byron to tuck the ball down the centre (0-2)
North End dominated the half with the home side rarely threatening, Keane was unlucky not to add a third following a delightful move involving Tiago and Byron.
Half time arrived and North End changed all 11 players and the early stages of the 2nd half were dominated by Southport they were unlucky twice hitting the bar, but once the North End change side settled down Gonzalez in the Preston goal had little to do, to be honest neither did the Southport keeper apart a save from a Trundle free kick.
Counts fdor nothing in the grand scheme of things but a useful work out.

Southport 0 Preston North End 2 Att 1500