Roller Coaster

It's hard to know who would have got the most satisfaction out of this topsy turvy game as Preston and Rotherham shared the point in a six goal thriller at Deepdale last night.
Having been two down in the first 11 minutes and then being denied victory with a late equaliser Preston could possibly feel it was two points dropped as for the Millers was a point gained after leading?
The two early Rotherham goals were different, one a stunner and one an own goal, the first was a stunner, Frecklington's control and shot from an acute angle were sublime, the own goal from a Pringle free kick was fortunate as Clarke's header found the back of his own net.(0-2)
Two down Preston fought back although only one chance was created as Humphries narrowly failed to touch home a Davies cross. As the game got towards half time North End badly needed a goal, it came eight minutes before the break, Gallagher back flick, Craig Davies muscled past his opponent to curve the ball with the outside of his right foot past Collin in the Millers goal.
Momentum was with the home side sadly half time arrived and the early stages of the second half were marked by four major neurological indidents affecting Rotherham players strangely they soon cleared up when they were behind 15 minutes later.
North End drew level when Gallagher wrong footed his opponent before curling a low shot into the corner, soon after Humphry's put in a great cross and Garner headed the home side in front from 10 yards.
Back came the Millers, North End' s resolute defenders kept out the Millers until the 89th minute, by now the home side were defending so deep they were almost in Scotland, the inevitable long ball free kick, scramble in the box and Frecklington fired home the Miller's third although it was almost kept out by the keeper and defender on the line.
Davies had a chance to win it late in injury time but the scoreline was fair.
The only disappointment on the night was that the Millers boss Steve Evans "a character" didn't spontaneously combust.

The drive home was fun listening to Manchester United fans complaining that their side is now like the rest of us.

Preston North End 3 Rotherham United 3 Att 9600

Points shared on a sad day

15 minutes from the end of this contest came the moment when North End had the perfect chance to say goodbye to Sir Tom Finney, a quality cross from substitute Lee Holmes saw the diving Kevin Davies head wide with the goal at his mercy, with the miss went North Ends last chance to take all three points against Leyton Orient.

An immaculate minute's silence, wreaths presented by both clubs to Sir Tom's son and applause on seven were worthy tribute to the great man
The first half wasn't great and not surprisingly North End were very slow to start, Orient should have been ahead after five minutes but Mooney's close range effort was well saved by Rudd, it wasn't great defending by the home side.
North End started to come to terms with the visitors and started to play some decent football, Craig Davies being denied by keeper Jakupovic, he also looked to have been brought down in the area but Mr Whitestone waved play on.
Slightly against the run of play Orient took the lead close when more poor defending by the home side left Baudry with time to pick his spot following a free kick. (0-1)
The second half was a one sided affair as North End tried to rescue the game although Mooney missed a glorious chance to extend the lead when shooting high and wide when a pass to an unmarked colleague may have been a better option.
Just after the hour mark North End levelled from the penalty spot, when Baudrey bundled over Craig Davies, may have been harsh but as the ref had given us sod all all afternoon, it was gratefully accepted by Garner who beat the keeper from the spot. (1-1)
North End piled on the pressure but the Davies miss was the only real chance they had, honours even.
Spent the afternoon in the executive box, very refined atmosphere, no swearing was heard, can't be doing with that.

Preston North End 1 Leyton Orient 1 Att 13440

A RETURN TO THE CREASE cotd

Last night was the clubs AGM at the Pavilion on Galgate sports field, apparently the turn out of about 16 was better than for many years including quite a few youngsters which is promising for the club.
The only conclusion I could gather from the meeting was, I will need to be some cricket kit, they are always short of players and at the age of 59 they are quite happy to welcome me to the fold.
The return is on.

Still ill almost

Didn't set out to any games today, sat in front of the cathode ray tube feeling sorry for myself, back on the games trail shortly although it's the cricket club AGM on Monday.

Beaten by Forest and the flu

Sadly can't give you a match report as I only saw the game on TV and as I wasn't there no match report.
First game I've missed at home for 8 years, whether it was the flu or having to watch Fulham the night before which caused me to be ill or a combination of both. Have to say Fulham were abject.
Unlucky to lose to Forest, two great strikes though, move on to the next game, hopefully will be somewhere on Saturday.

PNE 0 Forest 2

Got past him in the end

For 60 minutes it looked as North End would never manage to get past Notts County's 43 year old keeper, Kevin Pilkington until Craig Davies turn and violent lash hit the back of the net to give the home side a belated 1-0 lead, the goal had been coming as North End laid seige to County's goal in teh second half.
Pilkington had already denied the home side four times in the second period and when he was beaten two defenders cleared efforts from the line.
A lack lustre first half performance by the home side in saying that they still should have been out of site but Pilkington and some wayward finishing kept the score blank at half time.
County though played well in the first half although, the lack of urgency in the home side may have had something to do with that, County had gone close with a Showunmi header and really should have lead when Grealish escaped the home sides offside trap, he screwed his shot wide.
Following the Davies goal North End continued to press and were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes to go, it may possibly have been outside the area but Mr Harrington pointed to the spot after Grealish's foul.
Garner did the rest. (2-0)
County's only attack of note should have led to a goal with seven minutes left, Appiah missed the target when well placed.
There was still time for Pilkington to deny both Garner and Hume in the final minutes as the Whites secured the three points to ensure they won't go down this season.

Preston North End 2 Notts County 0 Att 9483