Game 16 Just got home

Preston duly beat Yeovil 3-2 in a game whic only really came to life, in the second half after a truly dire first half. The visitors tooks the lead from the penalty spot after 6 minutes, a through ball was chased by Ugwu, the ball was going towards the edge of the penalty box, Stuckmann the home keeper dived punching the ball out for a throw in, Ugwu collapsed over the keepers prone body and the referee quite bizarrely gave a penalty, it was the first of many strange decisions by the official. Williams duly converted. (0-1)
The remainder of the first half was eminently forgettable as Yeovil set up shop to keep the score at 1-0 whilst the home side seemed to be quite happy to lump the ball skywards or alternatively pass to people in the stands, can't recall either keeper being remotely troubled after the penalty.
The second half started in similar vein until a couple of thunderous tackles by full back Keane sparked the home side into life.
Both wingers Hayhurst and Monakana began to find a bit of space down the flanks and finally a Hayhurst cross was dummied by Beavon and Monakan only after about 3 attempts finally managed to put the ball in the net. (1-1)
The home side started to take control and it wasn't long before the home side took the lead Monakana's cross being bundled home by Beardsley at the far post. (2-1)
North End were in complete control and were firmly in the driving seat when Upson fouled Monakana, he received his 2nd yellow card and departed for early use of the shower.
North End should really have killed the visitors off missing several chances but finally score again with five minutes to go when Beavon linked with King whose shot from the by line hit Burn and ended up in the net. (3-1) Game over well not quite, from a free kick a minute later Burn scored at the right end with a header from a free kick. (3-2)
Yeovil threw caution to the wind and really should have gone further behind when Beavon blazed over from close range, Yeovil ploughed merrily on and were within inches of bringing the score level when Webster's header was cleared from the line by Wright. The home side clung on to the lead to edge the game.

Preston North End 3 Yeovil Town 2 Att 8520

Game 15 wet night in the cup

On a night the Ark would have been a suitable mode of transport, 4959 hardy souls braved a deluge of biblical proportions to see Middlesbrough end Preston involvement in this seasons Capital One Cup with a 3-1 at Deepdale.
Middlesbrough made 11 changes from their last match, however you would have know in as the "reserve eleven" battered the home side for the first 30 minutes of this game. Two goals in the first 20 minutes gave the Boro a deserved lead in fact they could have had a couple of others in the opening spell, only a great save from Simonsen kept them out.
It was no surprise when they took the lead, an in swinging corner curled straight in from Ledesma, (0-1) within five minutes it was two when a fine Boro move led Zemmama firing home from about 25 yards.(0-2)
With Boro dominating the play this looked like a massacre but gradually as the away took their foot off the pedal the home side slowly began to probe although any chance of them scoring looked as remote as the rain stopping.
A series of corners brought no reward to the home side then out of the blue they reduced the arrears a neat move found Beavon whose inch perfect pass led to King scoring.(1-2)
The rain got heavier as the second half started and Boro were in control again, making the ball do the work, they look as they could step up a gear but North End didn't give Amoo went close with a header and Byrom hit a shot just wide.
Then just as the home side were buiding up a head of steam a major defensive cock up killed the game as Huntington and Simonsen collectively messed up, in the ensuing melee Smallwood bundled the ball home (1-3)
Boro were back in control and looked like they could score at will with substitute Haroun going close, but the home side didn't give up Leutwiler was forced into a fine double save from Laird and Beavon, Wroe went close with a shot that was tipped over and Beavon missed when it would have been easier to score,but with the last kick off the game Emnes nearly made it four for Boro but his deflected shot hit the post.
An entertaining game on a dire night but played on a fantastic playing surface you wouldn't have realised that it had been raining for nearly 50 hours.


Preston North End 1 Middlesbrough 3 att 4959

Game 14 Not convincing

A meeting of two clubs in crisis at Lancaster today, the home side managerless and a section of fans unhappy with the decision to sack the previous manager, whilst the visitors Garforth Town, had had the water and electricity cut off at their ground because of unpaid bills and had lost the vast majority of players due to the financial crisis at the club.
The game didn’t promise much and for 65 minutes it didn’t provide much in the way of entertainment.
The vast majority of the visitors only arrived at the ground 40 minutes before the kick off which was delayed to give them time to prepare for the game.
Within two minutes the visitors were ahead when some poor defending by Marshall who was easily beaten by a Garforth forward, the ball found it’s way to Smith who shot home from close range. (0-1)
The visitors grew in confidence and played some decent football on a bobbly pitch, but parity wasn’t long in coming . From a Lancaster free kick on the left the ball was crossed to the back post where Kilfin was able to nob home easily. (1-1)
From then until half time there was absolutely little of interest although Kilfin should have done better from a knock down by City’s on loan Brazilian striker Branco.
The game was stop start due to countless fouls, both City full backs were replaced before half time after having been clattered by visiting players.
Garforth seemed to have the motto they will not be passing at any price, it didn’t make for great football.
Half time came and went the tempreture started to drop but the game continued in the same vein.
A mini flair up between Stringfellow and the Garforth Number 8 should have lead to a rad card for the Garforth player, but a warning was all that was given.
Not for long though the left full back was soon able to use the shower before his team mates when he received a second yellow.
The difference in numbers was soon made to count when substitute Rothwell’s deflected cross found Branco at the back post, easy goal. (2-1)
Within three minutes the game was over as a contest when Rothwell’s cross somehow crossed the line. (3-1)
Garforth collapsed like a pack of cards although still managing to commit as many fouls as they could.
City contrived to waste chance after chance, Swarbrick hitting the bar with a thunderous drive from 20 yards.
City weren’t to be denied, a shot by Rothwell was fumbled by keeper O’Neiell and Branco finished with panache from close range. (4-1)
Branco then wasted a glorious chance from less than 5 yards for his hat trick, he ballooned the ball into the car park, more chances were missed by the home side, but the bast chance to score went to the visitors when keeper McDonald poor cleareance went straight to a Garforth player but his goal bound shot was cleared from the line by Marshall.
A long winter ahead for both sides although Lancaster are now ninth this was not a convincing performance.

Lancaster City 4 Garforth Town 1 Att 171

Game 13 Not as easy as it sounds

Well it was a comprehensive victory in the end but the scoreline doesn't actually tell the picture of the game, Preston started as they had left off against Crawley on Saturday on the back foot, Hartlepool had two nippy winger who kept firing in cross for the human battering ram that was Steve Howard.
Preston were second best for the best part of 25 minutes as the visitors were quicker to every ball.
Goals however change games and North End scored five of them.
On 28 minutes the home side took the lead, the visitors never really cleared a corner the ball pinged around the edge of the Hartlepool penalty area the ball fell to Beavon whose powerful shot was parried by Flinders in the Pool goal, following a goalmouth scramble the ball landed at the left foot of Byrom who lashed the ball home. (1-0)
Within a minute it was two and praise must go to the referee Mr Bates who allowed a good advantage after a foul on a Preston player, the ball eventually found it's way to Beavon who hammered the ball past Flinders from 20 yards. (2-0)
At this point Hartlepool were in danger of being swamped, Beavon going narrowly wide with a header, somehow Hartlepool clung on to half time without going even further behind.
As with the first half Hartlepool started the second half brightly, Welsh blocking a Franks effort before Monkhouse from close range managed somehow to put the ball over the Preston bar from almost under the cross bar.
Under constant pressure Preston broke away in the 65th minute and virtually killed the game off, Beavon braking down the right and his inch perfect cross was nodded home by King although it has to be said Flinders in the Pool goal should have done better. (3-0)
Minutes later King was inches away from a 4th as Preston ran riot against the visitors.
Wroe and Sodje went close until with five minutes to go Laird headed home the fourth from a corner. (4-0) Laird wasn't finished and with three minutes to go he went on a mazy 40 yards run beating several defenders before blasting the ball past Flinders (5-0)
Looks comfortable but it wasn't.

Preston North End 5 Hartlepool United 0 Att 8312

Game 12 Like last season

Crawley's first visit to Deepdale resulted in their first victory as they ran out deserved winners 2-1 thereby bringing the home sides five game unbeaten run to an end. The home side turned in a performance which was akin to some of the rubbish they turned in last season, hopefully it will be a temporary blip.
North End started the brighter with Beavon going close with an effort which went wide of the far post.
Gradually Crawley took control with their neat passing style.
Adams went close for the visitors before a superb last ditch tackle from Buchanan denied Ajose a goal scoring chance. 
In truth there was little goalmouth action in a dull first half. The only entertainment came mainly due to the inconsistent referee, most of the poor decisions seemed to go against the home side and tempers started to fray on the pitch. Needless to say the referee was not greeted with a standing ovation at half time.
The game was turned on it's head with two goals within the first 15 minutes of the second half, both scored by Crawley skipper Alexander, his first from a deep cross to the back post and the second a classy curling finish with the outside of his right foot from 20 yards. (0-2)
North End huffed and puffed but the damage had been done, Jones in the Crawley net will probably not have an easier afternoon. North End reduced the deficit with time almost up, a free kick from the right was headed home by Huntington. (1-2)
A shot from Wroe was tipped over by Jones, but to be honest this was a bad day at the office and Crawley deserved the victory.


Preston North End 1 Crawley Town 2 Att 9812

The last bowl of the season

The last cricket action I will see this season Simon Kerrigan of Lancashire bowling to Surrey batsman Tom Jewell

Game 11 Job done

Cansdell-Sherriff doubles the lead  

On a roasting hot afternoon Preston North End beat local rivals Bury 2-1 at Gigg Lane Bury in front of 5213 of which 2700 were visitors from Preston. The game wasn't brilliant but North End did what had to done to take the points.
North End dominated the early stages but without getting near scoring, a couple of early efforts by the home side were easily saved by Stuckmann in the North End goal. From a free kick however Bury went the close when the ball floated over the top Stuckmann and out of play by the far post with no home forward in a position to score.
On the half hour North End took the lead, a corner from the left found Sodje who headed in. (0-1) 
That was the score at half time, the early stages of the second half consisted of both sides passing to each other with great regularity, North End were denied a penalty when a defender clearly handled in the area but Mr Drysdale rejected the claim.
Mid way through the half North End doubled the lead when a corner from the left(sound familiar was headed home by Cansdell-Sherriff in acres of space. (0-2)
Game done and dusted, almost, Beavon had a chance to kill the game completely off but was well tackled in the area.
The game as a spectacle died until deep in injury time when the Shakers scored, corner from the left headed in at the back post by Skarz. (1-2)
Bury pressed for an equalizer but it was North End who should have scored but following some over elaborate play in front of goal, Amoo's shot from 10 yards out almost cleaned out a steward by the corner flag.
Not the best but job done.

Bury 1 Preston North End 2 Att 5213

Game 10 Points shared

On a mild Lancaster night, the home side and visitors Trafford played out a goalless draw in front of 191 resolute fans. The church bells from the church next to the castle rang throughout the first half only ceasing just before half time, perhaps they were ringing for the death of the game because the first 45 minutes were dull to say the least.
Left my glasses behind so couldn’t read anything, also made the mistake of having chips from the club diner, would possibly have been better if would have had raw potato, tasted exactly the same.
The crowd were lulled into a false sense f excitement when Kilfin hit the post for the home side within 30 seconds, apart froma shot from Carney after about 20 minutes which was well saved by Trafford keeper Read, that was the entertainment for the first half.
To be fair Trafford passed the ball about well, however it was like watching Spain in the early stages of the Euro’s they passed it along the back four, rarely venturing towards the City goal, whilst City harried about the pitch trying to get the ball back. The lack of crowd noise spoke values about the entertainment.
Spent the half time break wondering how Trafford had managed to score 20 goals in their first four matches including and 8-0 and 7-0 win obviously they had bored the opposition into submission.
Trafford showed more attacking intent in the second half although they failed to bring a save out of the City keeper.
The visitors missed a chance early in the half but City finally managed to start making headway towards the visitors goals being dangerous down the flanks were Wainwright was looking dangerous.
The visitors gave away numerous free kicks on the edge of their own area but these were dealt with by keeper Read and giant centre back Bayunu who really should have scored from a header at the other end of the pitch.
City brought on Clark and his pace kept the visitors defence on their toes.
City had the best chance of the game with virtually the last kick of the game but Swarbrick sliced wide with a volley when well placed.

a City corner clears everybody in the box. City in blue

Lancaster City 0 Trafford 0 Att 191

Game 9 Barcelona, not likely!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Tuesday night, Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio describes his team's performance at Stoke as being like Barcelona, it's possible he described today's first half performance as being like the fictional side Barnstonworth United from Michael Palin's Ripping Yarns.
The enigmatic Italian saw his side demolished 4-1 at Deepdale by a rampant Preston North End, as the home side turned in a performance which the home support in a crowd of 10300 hadn't seen for years.
North End took the lead in 5 minutes, when Beavon charged down a clearance from visitors keeper Foderingham, the ball landed at the feet of Sodje who took his aim, fired and scored. (1-0)
Almost immediately Di Canio had his substitute keeper Bedwell warming up on the touchline.
Swindon came back into the game passing the ball neatly but apart from a Collins header rarely troubled the home side.
The second goal wasn't long in coming and a fine team goal it was, the ball was passed along the penalty area to Laird who's pin point pass found Wroe ghosting in to side foot the ball past the keeper. (2-0)
Following some more haphazard defending Di Canio made a tactical change, not one most managers would have done, he substituted his keeper. To say Foderingham was less than amused was an understatement, storming past his manager he headed straight to the dressing room only stopping to violently boot an energy drinks bottle into the middle of the pitch.
Swindon tried desperately to get back into the game but just before half time they were further behind, when a corner was headed into the six yard box by Huntington and new signing Beavon bundled the ball home from close range. (3-0)
Standing ovation for the home side, would have loved to be a fly on the wall in the visitors dressing room.
Swindon started brightly in the second half with Bostock another substitute having a shot deflected onto the top of the bar, understandably North End started sluggishly and were made to pay when Da Vita cut in from the left hand side beat Keane with ease and fired past Stuckmann to reduce the arrears. 
Sodje had a glorious chance to finish the game when a super left wing cross found him unmarked 10 yards out, his header missed the target by a distance, but it wasn't long until the home side further increased their lead when a corner fell to Welsh 20 yards out and his drive went through a sea of legs into the corner of the net. (4-1)
The game died as a spectacle from then but Stuckmann made a superb save to keep the score at 4-1 almost immediately after the fourth goal.
A fine performance to mark Preston's Guild year which happens every 20 years hopefully we won't have to wait that long for another performance like that.

Preston North End 4 Swindon Town 1 Att 10320

North End's new signing Stuart Beavon