Another win away from home another clean sheet and another classic away performance of soaking up the pressure before sneaking a late winner, it's not been a bad Christmas for the team from Deepdale.
Game of two halves, the home side dominated the first half thanks in part to North End's iffy defending where Huntington was having a struggle against Shrewsbury's lively on loan forward Tom Eaves.
A quiet opening spell you could say dull eventually came to live thanks to Eaves, his run down the right hand side of the pitch caused problems for the non tackling North End defenders who were bailed out by a good save by Rudd at his near post.
More defensive mishaps this time by Brownhill let in Taylor whose shot brought a good save form the diving Rudd, at the other end Brownhill's shot looked goal bound until it hit a Shrews defender and went for a corner.
Not a great half for the visitors however they upped the tempo in the second half and looked the better side although the final pass was sadly lacking, littl was seen of the Shrews as an attacking force apart from one effort which went way over the bar.
North End continued to push and probe with full back Buchanan prominent. North End made three substitutions all forwards as manager Grayson went for the win.
10 minutes from the the winner, for once North End got behind the Shrewsbury defence and fired the ball across the face of the goal, defender Woods under pressure from Gallagher bundled the ball into the net. (0-1)
North End eased through the last minutes of the game to claim the points much to the delight of the 1600 visiting fans.
Not pretty but professional, seven wins out of the last eight away games, if the home form was decent the Whites would be miles clear but it isn't and they are not.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
Shrewsbury Town 0 Preston North End 1 Att 6379
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
City edge game
An entertaining game between Lancaster City and Ossett Town saw Lancaster win 2-1 in front of 220 at a chilly Giant Axe. The visitors were on a good run having won 8 out of the last 9 games, however they were behind after 3 minutes when Connerton scored for Lancaster, no idea what happened was looking at something else when the goal was scored. (1-0)
After the early set back Town slowly began to get into the game and were nearly level when a Patterson shot from 20 plus yards went narrowly wide.
With nippy winger Moke causing problems for the City backline Town began to dominate but without the killer final ball were finding it hard to get through the City back line in which Steel was outstanding.
Both sides played the game as it should be played passing to feet not hoofing it forward as you sometimes find at the lower levels of the football echelons.
City looked slightly off the pace in the first half and it was no surprise that Ossett leveled virtually dead on half time. A free kick from just outside the box found Qualter in space at the back post, he did not miss with his header. (1-1)
After a quiet start to the second half City regained the lead on the hour through Jackson, his shot not the most powerful found the corner of the net, it has to be said that the Town keeper Dobbs went down in stages and should really have done better. (2-1)
Town pressed forward and started to leave gaps at the back substitute Taylor should have scored for Lancaster but his header was excellently save d by Dobbs.
Connerton was unlucky not to increase the lead further however his shot hit the post. Ossett threw men forward but an equalizer did not come and City got a welcome three points.
After the early set back Town slowly began to get into the game and were nearly level when a Patterson shot from 20 plus yards went narrowly wide.
With nippy winger Moke causing problems for the City backline Town began to dominate but without the killer final ball were finding it hard to get through the City back line in which Steel was outstanding.
Both sides played the game as it should be played passing to feet not hoofing it forward as you sometimes find at the lower levels of the football echelons.
City looked slightly off the pace in the first half and it was no surprise that Ossett leveled virtually dead on half time. A free kick from just outside the box found Qualter in space at the back post, he did not miss with his header. (1-1)
After a quiet start to the second half City regained the lead on the hour through Jackson, his shot not the most powerful found the corner of the net, it has to be said that the Town keeper Dobbs went down in stages and should really have done better. (2-1)
Town pressed forward and started to leave gaps at the back substitute Taylor should have scored for Lancaster but his header was excellently save d by Dobbs.
Connerton was unlucky not to increase the lead further however his shot hit the post. Ossett threw men forward but an equalizer did not come and City got a welcome three points.
Lancaster City 2 Ossett Town 1 Att 220
http://youtu.be/fIzDLcU3QEc
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Grinding out a win
This was the classic case of grinding out a win for Preston in their localish derby at Brunton Park, Carlisle. A moment of class from Preston's 17 year midfielder ensured the points were heading back south down the M6.
A fairly turgid first 30 minutes dominated by the home side but without any threat to the visitors goal although they did get the ball in the net through Ehmer but it was rightly ruled out for off side. When North End did venture forward they did actually look like scoring, Gallagher's 35 yard effort went narrowly over the bar, whilst Humphry's angled drive was well saved by home keeper Amos.
Just before half time North End took the lead, with probably the best bit of football in the game, a quick series of passes around the Carlisle area lead to Brownhill curling a class shot past the despairing Amos. (0-1)
An early Amoo effort for Carlisle went narrowly wide, before North End took control, several chances went begging including one for King whose close range header was destined for the net until Amos pulled off a great save.
North End began to sit deeper and deeper and Carlisle started to get a foot hold in the game, although apart from two Lawrence efforts barely saw the whites of Rudd's eye.
North End shut up shop and eased through the final 10 minutes of the game.
Poor game, lack of atmosphere in the ground with the pm kick off but three points and that is what they wanted.
http://youtu.be/CeTQLpmlGj8
Carlisle United 0 Preston North End 1 Att 7934
A fairly turgid first 30 minutes dominated by the home side but without any threat to the visitors goal although they did get the ball in the net through Ehmer but it was rightly ruled out for off side. When North End did venture forward they did actually look like scoring, Gallagher's 35 yard effort went narrowly over the bar, whilst Humphry's angled drive was well saved by home keeper Amos.
Just before half time North End took the lead, with probably the best bit of football in the game, a quick series of passes around the Carlisle area lead to Brownhill curling a class shot past the despairing Amos. (0-1)
An early Amoo effort for Carlisle went narrowly wide, before North End took control, several chances went begging including one for King whose close range header was destined for the net until Amos pulled off a great save.
North End began to sit deeper and deeper and Carlisle started to get a foot hold in the game, although apart from two Lawrence efforts barely saw the whites of Rudd's eye.
North End shut up shop and eased through the final 10 minutes of the game.
Poor game, lack of atmosphere in the ground with the pm kick off but three points and that is what they wanted.
http://youtu.be/CeTQLpmlGj8
Carlisle United 0 Preston North End 1 Att 7934
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Little Christmas cheer
It is customary at Christmas too give gifts to friends and family not guests who rock up once a year. Brentford were the beneficiaries of North Ends generosity as they duly beat the home side 3-0 though in fairness to them the better side did win.(Sadly)
A very even first 20 minutes with both sides playing some excellent football, Brentford had had once chance which Donaldson should really had scored with. Then came the first gift from Santa, Donaldson chased a ball towards the by line, hurtling of his goal came Rudd, he lunged for the ball got the man, it was in the area and it was a clear penalty.
Forshaw sent Rudd the wrong way. (0-1)
Within 3 minutes it was two, Forshaw this time was denied by Rudd however picked up the rebound and passed to the better placed Trotta who squeezed the ball home. (0-2)
North End were rocking and probably did well to get too half time only two down.
A double substitution gave the home side a boost and within 10 minutes the home side were given a great chance to get back in the game when Garner was fouled in the area.
Garner took the kick but the giant Button guessed right and saved the kick. North End's last chance to salvage something but Davies's header from a close range went wide rather than in.
From then on in there was more chance of Malky Mackay being manager of Cardiff this time tomorrow than any points for the home side. Brentford knew they were home and dry and began to pass the ball around making the home side chase shadows.
It was only a matter of time until they scored against following some haphazard passing by North End, Saunder had a lot to do when he got the ball at his feet with his back to goal, no problem flicked the ball up and smashed the ball past Rudd into the net, quality finish. (0-3)
They could have had more Dean went close with a header but the three they got was enough.
Preston North End 0 Brentford 3 Att 10332
David Coleman RIP spent much of my sporting life listening to Mr Coleman, thanks for the memories.
A very even first 20 minutes with both sides playing some excellent football, Brentford had had once chance which Donaldson should really had scored with. Then came the first gift from Santa, Donaldson chased a ball towards the by line, hurtling of his goal came Rudd, he lunged for the ball got the man, it was in the area and it was a clear penalty.
Forshaw sent Rudd the wrong way. (0-1)
Within 3 minutes it was two, Forshaw this time was denied by Rudd however picked up the rebound and passed to the better placed Trotta who squeezed the ball home. (0-2)
North End were rocking and probably did well to get too half time only two down.
A double substitution gave the home side a boost and within 10 minutes the home side were given a great chance to get back in the game when Garner was fouled in the area.
Garner took the kick but the giant Button guessed right and saved the kick. North End's last chance to salvage something but Davies's header from a close range went wide rather than in.
From then on in there was more chance of Malky Mackay being manager of Cardiff this time tomorrow than any points for the home side. Brentford knew they were home and dry and began to pass the ball around making the home side chase shadows.
It was only a matter of time until they scored against following some haphazard passing by North End, Saunder had a lot to do when he got the ball at his feet with his back to goal, no problem flicked the ball up and smashed the ball past Rudd into the net, quality finish. (0-3)
They could have had more Dean went close with a header but the three they got was enough.
Preston North End 0 Brentford 3 Att 10332
David Coleman RIP spent much of my sporting life listening to Mr Coleman, thanks for the memories.
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