The season ended at Deepdale in glorious spring sunshine with the home side in the end edging home 1 - 0 with a narrow win over a decent Tranmere side in front of a good crowd of 10400.
For the first time in ages the pitch had some green about it although the surface was soft having been watered.
Tranmere had a couple of tame Sidibe efforts early on, before North End took control, Welsh being denied twice from free kicks, the first ht the post and the second brought a top save from Fon Williams in the Tranmere goal.
The Rovers defence were looking a little shaky and scrambled a King effort to safety.
Towards half time it was Tranmere's turn to curse the woodwork when from a flowing move Sidibe header hit the inside of the Preston post before being cleared away, they nearly scored seconds later when Palmer was inches away from putting the ball into the net.
Against the run of play North End took the lead, a fine goal though, King's header found, Garner the pass to Hayhurst wasn't brilliant but his cross caused panic in the Rovers backline, the ball found it's way to Monakana who blasted the ball home. (1-0)
The second half was a lot more low key, with Preston going close with a Monakana shot. Tranmere seemed to have run out of ideas apart from one shot which was well blocked by King.
The introduction of Holmes for the home side brought the game back to life, he went close with two canny efforts, also set up King who was off target with his shot. Tranmere forced a few corners at the end but it wasn't to be their day.
Didn't stay for the end of season wander round the pitch, but the feel good factor has returned at Deepdale, maybe just maybe this time next year could be celebration time.
Preston North End 1 Tranmere Rovers 0 Att 10400
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Game 55 All over for another season
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Game 54 Nearly left England
A trip to Brunton Park is like a trip back in time the ground hasn't changed since the Battle Of Hastings. They actually class this game as a local derby therefore given the intense "local" rivalry the gate of 5965 could possibly be classed as disappointing.
The PA blasted out 1980's classics from Tenpole Tudor and the Skids as the teams took the pitch, it had an almost retro feel about it.
Anyway onto the game, if Preston had left Brunton without a point it would have been an injustice, North End dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Monakana who skillfully cut his way through the home defence before hitting a left foot shot into the net. (0-1)
North End could have doubled their lead minutes later when Wroe's goal bound shot was deflected for a corner, from the corner King was inches away from getting the second.
The game then settled down with the home side slowly coming into the game although they didn't have a sniff of a chance until the 38th minute when Hungtington gave away a needless freekick. Huntington got a bollocking from Welsh the captain and probably got one from the entire team when Carlisle equalised.
McGovern's kick was touched onto the post by keeper Stuckmann and the rebound was scrambled home by Miller. (1-1) Barely deserved for the home side.
The second half started with North End going close from Garner whose header was scrambled to safety.
Play became a bit more patchy although some crunching tackles started to go in.
Carlisle were given a major boost with 20 minutes to go when North End were reduced to 10 men when Wroe was sent off for a second yellow.
Apparently these days you are not allowed to go for 50/50 balls with the keeper, Wroe was fractionally late and off he went.
As is the case most times the 10 men looked the better side Monakana wasted a glorious chance to play in Garner by choosing to shoot instead of passing to his teammate.
Carlisle began to put the visitors under pressure but until the latter stages of injury time didn't create anything, then in the dying embers of the game Stuckmann had to make to good saves to keep a point.
Deserved point in the end,then in was back down the M6 back to the modern world.
Carlisle United 1 Preston North End 1 Att 5965
The PA blasted out 1980's classics from Tenpole Tudor and the Skids as the teams took the pitch, it had an almost retro feel about it.
Anyway onto the game, if Preston had left Brunton without a point it would have been an injustice, North End dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Monakana who skillfully cut his way through the home defence before hitting a left foot shot into the net. (0-1)
North End could have doubled their lead minutes later when Wroe's goal bound shot was deflected for a corner, from the corner King was inches away from getting the second.
The game then settled down with the home side slowly coming into the game although they didn't have a sniff of a chance until the 38th minute when Hungtington gave away a needless freekick. Huntington got a bollocking from Welsh the captain and probably got one from the entire team when Carlisle equalised.
McGovern's kick was touched onto the post by keeper Stuckmann and the rebound was scrambled home by Miller. (1-1) Barely deserved for the home side.
The second half started with North End going close from Garner whose header was scrambled to safety.
Play became a bit more patchy although some crunching tackles started to go in.
Carlisle were given a major boost with 20 minutes to go when North End were reduced to 10 men when Wroe was sent off for a second yellow.
Apparently these days you are not allowed to go for 50/50 balls with the keeper, Wroe was fractionally late and off he went.
As is the case most times the 10 men looked the better side Monakana wasted a glorious chance to play in Garner by choosing to shoot instead of passing to his teammate.
Carlisle began to put the visitors under pressure but until the latter stages of injury time didn't create anything, then in the dying embers of the game Stuckmann had to make to good saves to keep a point.
Deserved point in the end,then in was back down the M6 back to the modern world.
Carlisle United 1 Preston North End 1 Att 5965
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Game 53 Safe now
Preston's win over a spirited Oldham Athletic at a chilly Deepdale, ensured League 1 safety for the club last night. In truth this was a scrappy performance, Oldham possibly deserved a point but after dominating the first half they faded badly in the second half.
Latucs took the game to the home side forcing a series of early corner which were all whipped in under Rudd's crossbar, North End had some luck but managed to survive the visitors onslaught.
The lively Oldham strikers, Barnard, Simpson and Baxter caused the home defence problems, Baxter going close with a shot which might have clipped the post, then forcing Rudd into a fine save to keep the scores level. Only rarely did North End trouble the visitors but it was apparent that Oldham were not the best at the back.
Half time came and went, the tempreture dropped and North End finally started to get into the game, King crashing a header against the bar.
A Simpson effort for the visitors, went flashing across the face of the goal and that was the last time Oldham really threatened.
A double substitution after 69 minutes changed the game, four minutes later North End were awarded a penalty, the first at Deepdale since January 2012, it was possibly a harsh decision but after the many cast iron ones that have been turned down this season, it was just reward.
Bouzanis dived to the right Wroe hammered it down the middle. (1-0)
North End looked more relaxed following the goal and started to play better although they had to defend the aerial stuff that Oldham had now resorted too. Deep in injury time, North End secured the points, Oldham gained a couple of late corner, all 22 players on the pitch including Latics keeper were in the North End box, the corner was cleared to the edge of the box, North End won the ball, Hayhurst ran 80 yards with the ball and slotted the ball into the unguarded net just as Croft tried to close him down, keeper Bouzanis gasping for breath 60 yards away. Job done
Finally the referee, Scott Mathieson had a shocker, how M'voto stayed on the pitch was beyond me, he booked Keane for winning the ball, but then again he seemed to be very friendly with the Oldham players before the game, say no more.
Preston North End 2 Oldham Athletic 0 Att 9080
Latucs took the game to the home side forcing a series of early corner which were all whipped in under Rudd's crossbar, North End had some luck but managed to survive the visitors onslaught.
The lively Oldham strikers, Barnard, Simpson and Baxter caused the home defence problems, Baxter going close with a shot which might have clipped the post, then forcing Rudd into a fine save to keep the scores level. Only rarely did North End trouble the visitors but it was apparent that Oldham were not the best at the back.
Half time came and went, the tempreture dropped and North End finally started to get into the game, King crashing a header against the bar.
A Simpson effort for the visitors, went flashing across the face of the goal and that was the last time Oldham really threatened.
A double substitution after 69 minutes changed the game, four minutes later North End were awarded a penalty, the first at Deepdale since January 2012, it was possibly a harsh decision but after the many cast iron ones that have been turned down this season, it was just reward.
Bouzanis dived to the right Wroe hammered it down the middle. (1-0)
North End looked more relaxed following the goal and started to play better although they had to defend the aerial stuff that Oldham had now resorted too. Deep in injury time, North End secured the points, Oldham gained a couple of late corner, all 22 players on the pitch including Latics keeper were in the North End box, the corner was cleared to the edge of the box, North End won the ball, Hayhurst ran 80 yards with the ball and slotted the ball into the unguarded net just as Croft tried to close him down, keeper Bouzanis gasping for breath 60 yards away. Job done
Finally the referee, Scott Mathieson had a shocker, how M'voto stayed on the pitch was beyond me, he booked Keane for winning the ball, but then again he seemed to be very friendly with the Oldham players before the game, say no more.
Preston North End 2 Oldham Athletic 0 Att 9080
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Game 52 Almost there
In the end this was a comfortable win for Preston against fellow strugglers, Scunthorpe, two late goals gave the scoreline a respectable look which in truth the home side deserved.
On the whole this was a poor game of football played on a dreadful pitch which didn't help the flow of the game. North End dominated vast periods of the game and until the last 13 minutes looked to be sneaking home by Holmes canny finish before half time.
Holmes tested the seats behind the Scunthorpe goal in the opening few seconds however apart from that little else happened, the church like atmosphere didn't help matters either.
There was little to trouble either keeper in a dull first half until just before half time when Holmes received Beavons pass in space in the visitors penalty box and passed the ball into the net. (1-0)
It was Holmes's last impact on the game as he departed before half time with a hamstring injury.
Little was seen of the Scunthorpe attack as they battled manfully away against a strong home defence.
As with the first half there was little action in the second half although Scunthorpe ventured forward more, they had the chance to level when Rudd in the home goal missed his punch and the ball sped to safety across the face of the home goal.
With 13 minutes to go North End sealed the victory with the goal of the season at Deepdale, Johansen in the Scunthorpe goal scuffed a clearance to Nicky Wroe 45 yards from goal on the right hand touchline, Wroe didn't hesitate hitting a first time shot which floated majestically into the vacant goal. (2-0)
Game over Scunthorpe gave up the ghost and should have conceeded a third but somehow from close range King managed to scoop the ball against the far post, the persevering King was not to be denied, with virtually the last kick of the game, Monakana floated over a super cross, King couldn't miss and didn't. (3-0)
So North End 10 points clear of Scunny 4 games to play, almost safe and on this showing PNE are safe, Scunthorpe will struggle to pick up a point.
Preston North End 3 Scunthorpe United 0 Att 8118
On the whole this was a poor game of football played on a dreadful pitch which didn't help the flow of the game. North End dominated vast periods of the game and until the last 13 minutes looked to be sneaking home by Holmes canny finish before half time.
Holmes tested the seats behind the Scunthorpe goal in the opening few seconds however apart from that little else happened, the church like atmosphere didn't help matters either.
There was little to trouble either keeper in a dull first half until just before half time when Holmes received Beavons pass in space in the visitors penalty box and passed the ball into the net. (1-0)
It was Holmes's last impact on the game as he departed before half time with a hamstring injury.
Little was seen of the Scunthorpe attack as they battled manfully away against a strong home defence.
As with the first half there was little action in the second half although Scunthorpe ventured forward more, they had the chance to level when Rudd in the home goal missed his punch and the ball sped to safety across the face of the home goal.
With 13 minutes to go North End sealed the victory with the goal of the season at Deepdale, Johansen in the Scunthorpe goal scuffed a clearance to Nicky Wroe 45 yards from goal on the right hand touchline, Wroe didn't hesitate hitting a first time shot which floated majestically into the vacant goal. (2-0)
Game over Scunthorpe gave up the ghost and should have conceeded a third but somehow from close range King managed to scoop the ball against the far post, the persevering King was not to be denied, with virtually the last kick of the game, Monakana floated over a super cross, King couldn't miss and didn't. (3-0)
So North End 10 points clear of Scunny 4 games to play, almost safe and on this showing PNE are safe, Scunthorpe will struggle to pick up a point.
Preston North End 3 Scunthorpe United 0 Att 8118
Monday, April 1, 2013
Game 51 Last blow
The 225 who braved the chilly but sunny day in the shadow of Pendle hill saw Lancaster lose to a own goal in the 90th minute. Bit of a travesty because for the vast majority of the game City had dominated home side Clitheroe.
On a hard pitch plus a biting wind the first half offered little in the way of entertainment although Clitheroe hit a post and Winder was foiled in a one on one with the Clitheroe keeper, apart from that neither keeper had a lot to do.
City had the better of the play but the final ball often failed to find it’s target.
The second half was marginally better Clitheroe going c;lose twice before City started to pile on the pressure. In the space of 10 seconds City were denied by the post and two brave goal line clearances and you got the feeling that it was nott going to be the visitors day and so it proved a Clitheroe breakaway led to a shot from the left, it took a cruel deflection off Gregson to send McDonald the wrong way, ball into the net, three points to Clitheroe. Lucky they were, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
And that is the last bit of non league action I shall see this season.
On a hard pitch plus a biting wind the first half offered little in the way of entertainment although Clitheroe hit a post and Winder was foiled in a one on one with the Clitheroe keeper, apart from that neither keeper had a lot to do.
City had the better of the play but the final ball often failed to find it’s target.
The second half was marginally better Clitheroe going c;lose twice before City started to pile on the pressure. In the space of 10 seconds City were denied by the post and two brave goal line clearances and you got the feeling that it was nott going to be the visitors day and so it proved a Clitheroe breakaway led to a shot from the left, it took a cruel deflection off Gregson to send McDonald the wrong way, ball into the net, three points to Clitheroe. Lucky they were, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
And that is the last bit of non league action I shall see this season.
Clitheroe 1 Lancaster City 0 Att 225
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)