The scoreline was deceptive, North End won this with comfort last night. Although a late Pope header gave the scoreline respectability North End were in control from beginning to end. A quiet start with little to enthuse Reid put over a cross which caused confusion and Humphrys cashed in by firing left footed past Neal. North End cruised through the first half without really looking like adding a second. Vale's had a half chance cleared before Zuber's shot nearly demolished the corner flag.
The home side were rocked when Pope headed powerfully home in the first couple of minutes after a needless free kick was given away.
Vale were not level for long as Garner majestically chip the ball over Neal from 20 yards. It was soon 3-1 as Humphrys' mazy run ended up with a cross which was forced home by Gallagher. North End eased off and were nearly made to pay for this when Pope made it 3-2. Dickenson had a chance to level the score but his tame shot went wide in injury time.
A step closer to Wembley, the draw for the next round is on Saturday hopefully we will be drawn away, then I can have a Tuesday night in.
Preston North End 3 Port Vale 2 Att 3800
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Three wins on the bounce
Match stats showed there were 34 efforts at goal in Preston's 4-2 win over Colchester, although the scoreline shows a comfortable Preston win, this was anything but a walkover.
After Gallagher wasted a glorious chance in the first minute to give the home side the lead, it was Colchester who dominated and took the lead through Healey after 16 minutes, he was slightly fortunate to get the ball following several deflections but scored from close range.
Within nine minutes North End were ahead, firstly Wiseman picked up the ball 30 yards out brushing off non existant tackles, he toe poked the ball past Walker from 12 yards. Colchester's defence didn't exactly cover itself with glory for the second one either, a hopeful punt downfield caused confusion in the ranks, Humphrys miscontrolled the ball but was lucky that Browne was also in the box to put the ball in.
Colchester took the intative following the double set back finding plenty of joy down their right wing were Clohessy was causing plenty of problems, it was no surprise when they scored again through Gilbey although have to say it was a great shot from 25 yards which would have beaten any keeper.
North End retook the lead within two minutes of the second half starting, Gallagher's speculative effort beating the rather cumbersome Walker, not a great bit of keeping.
Colchester rallied and Moncur walked through the home defence, should have scored but his shot was poor. Walker almost blundered again shortly after leaving a Garner shot which hit the post, later Garner also headed against the bar.
A great poass from Gallagher set Humphrys free on goal, he jsu about got the ball past Walker before walking the ball into the net.
Reid almost set up Humphrys but he was denied by a great last ditch tackle, whilst substitute Robinson curled one against the Colchester bar. Sears who looks wasted at this level forced Jones into two good saves as Colchester pressed also Wright cleared off his goalline to stop United reducing the arrears. There were no more goals but fair play to Colchester for playing an attacking game, didn't quite work for them this time.
Preston North End 4 Colchester United 2 Att 8478
After Gallagher wasted a glorious chance in the first minute to give the home side the lead, it was Colchester who dominated and took the lead through Healey after 16 minutes, he was slightly fortunate to get the ball following several deflections but scored from close range.
Within nine minutes North End were ahead, firstly Wiseman picked up the ball 30 yards out brushing off non existant tackles, he toe poked the ball past Walker from 12 yards. Colchester's defence didn't exactly cover itself with glory for the second one either, a hopeful punt downfield caused confusion in the ranks, Humphrys miscontrolled the ball but was lucky that Browne was also in the box to put the ball in.
Colchester took the intative following the double set back finding plenty of joy down their right wing were Clohessy was causing plenty of problems, it was no surprise when they scored again through Gilbey although have to say it was a great shot from 25 yards which would have beaten any keeper.
North End retook the lead within two minutes of the second half starting, Gallagher's speculative effort beating the rather cumbersome Walker, not a great bit of keeping.
Colchester rallied and Moncur walked through the home defence, should have scored but his shot was poor. Walker almost blundered again shortly after leaving a Garner shot which hit the post, later Garner also headed against the bar.
A great poass from Gallagher set Humphrys free on goal, he jsu about got the ball past Walker before walking the ball into the net.
Reid almost set up Humphrys but he was denied by a great last ditch tackle, whilst substitute Robinson curled one against the Colchester bar. Sears who looks wasted at this level forced Jones into two good saves as Colchester pressed also Wright cleared off his goalline to stop United reducing the arrears. There were no more goals but fair play to Colchester for playing an attacking game, didn't quite work for them this time.
Preston North End 4 Colchester United 2 Att 8478
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Quiet at Fylde
Fylde have ambition to be in the league by 2022 and apparently no one is going to stop them, apart from the fact their ground is nowhere near league standard although plans are in the offing to build a 6000 ground near the M55. They also don't have a lot of support and in my view are one of those clubs with a rich benefactor who have ideas way above what they really are. The ground behind the Birley Arms in Warton near the British Aerospace plant has decent playing facilities the pitch is immaculate although bone dry due to the lack of rain, they have a decent training ground but the main stand is only 6 rows deep and can only fit 500 at best.
Ex league team Bradford have slowly worked their way back through the league have filed to get re elected back in the 1970's they brought with them a small but noisy travelling support whose shout of Green Army awoke the sheep in the next field.
A lively first half with both sides playing neat passing football, efforts on goal were restricted although a Fylde freekick was deflected over the bar for a corner.
Avenue looked lively up front with Chilaka leading the line but were rarely in a position to test Hinchcliffe in the home goal.
The second half was all Fylde they were virtually camped in the visitors half and were denied by Avenue keeper Lamb who pulled off a series of outstanding saves, when he was beaten defenders cleared the ball from the line including a majestic slice over his own goal by Avenue's No 3.
With 7 minutes to go Avenue had their first chance of the half and they should have scored, a free kick from 25 yards was fired in Hinchcliffe fumbled it, Avenue had four attempts to force the ball home but couldn't score.
Extra time and within two minutes Fylde scored through a left footed shot from Allen from inside the box. (1-0)
With seven minutes to go Fylde seemed to have wrapped up the game when a rapid breakaway following a Bradford attack ended up with Potts slotting home from close range. (2-0)
Game over not quite with two minutes to go Avenue scored through Danny Frost, it was merely a consolation. Fylde went through to polite applause from 280 fans
AFC Fylde 2 Bradford Park Avenue 0 Att 280
http://youtu.be/ydpqS8qoWQQ
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Impressive
A crowd of 10000 saw North End dominate from beginning to end apart from brief flurries from the home side at the start and end of the second half. City barely got into the North End penalty area in a one sided first half, they had a smidgen of a chance just before half time but Clarke could not get to O'Brien's pass. Before then North End had shown their intent when full back Wiseman went on a mazy 40 yard run before losing the ball in the Coventry area. Humphrys was getting plenty of space in behind the Coventry back line however his crossing left a lot to be desired if North End had had a 30 ft tall forward to meet his centres they would have won easier.
Wright had already hit the bar when Humphrys clean through on goal was denied by a great last ditch tackle in the ensuing action North End could have been given two penalties for what looked like dodgy tackles.
Half time goalless and you just had that nagging feeling that Coventry might sneak the game. Early Coventry pressure was easily dealt with before the yellow tide swept towards the Coventry goal again. Haynes with a brilliant goal line clearance denied North End after Garner had beaten Webster with ease and Humphrys was poised to score. Haynes then went from hero to villain within minutes, pulling Humphrys back, getting booked and from Gallagher's free kick Clarke scored.
Five minutes later it was game over as Garner was brought down, he scored the resultant spot kick.
Fair play to Coventry three attacking substitutes were made, they made little difference only a Clarke effort which went horribly wide in injury time was the closest they came.
Coventry City 0 Preston North End 2 Att 10006
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Workmanlike
In the end a workmanlike victory for North End over a very ordinary Crawley Town. Grayson kept the same side that lobbed a three goal lead away on Tuesday against Chesterfield. A bright start with shots from Brownhill for North End and Williams for Crawly going close before the game settled down into a dour encounter with not a lot to excite the 10330 crowd. On 20 minutes Garner was denied by a flying save by Ashdown in the Crawley goal. The resultant corner however did end up in the Crawley net, Browne's pass found Wright who side footed home from 12 yards. Within minutes Crawley could have levelled as Gallagher headed against the underside of his own cross bar before the ball was cleared by the home defence to safety. It was the last highlight for Crawley. Hayhurst and Browne both had great chances to increase the lead both were spurned.
An early Gallagher shot went close before it was back to a midfield struggle. As with Tuesday the eary stages of the second half were a bit niggly but the flashing of the yellow card in a few faces cooled the game down.
Nortn End dominated possession but did little with it going sideways and backwards at snails pace. Eventually Gallagher shrugged off a challenge from Williams before putting a cross in , the ball was handled. Garner did the rest from the spot.
Game over, Williams went close with a late attack for the visitors but there afternoon was summed up by a late McLeod overhead shot which went out for a throw in.
North End eased to the points against a decidedly average Crawley side. Crawley's supporters of less than 100 will have a long journey home with the knowledge that John Gregory will not be taking them to promotion.
Preston North End 2 Crawley Town 0 ATT 10330
An early Gallagher shot went close before it was back to a midfield struggle. As with Tuesday the eary stages of the second half were a bit niggly but the flashing of the yellow card in a few faces cooled the game down.
Nortn End dominated possession but did little with it going sideways and backwards at snails pace. Eventually Gallagher shrugged off a challenge from Williams before putting a cross in , the ball was handled. Garner did the rest from the spot.
Game over, Williams went close with a late attack for the visitors but there afternoon was summed up by a late McLeod overhead shot which went out for a throw in.
North End eased to the points against a decidedly average Crawley side. Crawley's supporters of less than 100 will have a long journey home with the knowledge that John Gregory will not be taking them to promotion.
Preston North End 2 Crawley Town 0 ATT 10330
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Could not hit the target
A fine late summer's evening saw Fleetwood and Barnsley play out a goalless draw in front of 3500 at the Highbury Stadium including a decent 850 from Yorkshire.
Although goalless both sides had plenty of shots at goal although sadly not a lot were on target. One that was, was early effort from the home sides Evans however he was denied by a decent save by Davies in the Tykes goal.
Fleetwood dominated a very lacklustre visitors attempts from Blair, Morris and Dobbie had Davies performing heroics to keep them out. Little was seen of the Yorkshire sides attack until 10 minutes before half time when Jennings was denied by Maxwell, on reflection he should have score. It was easy to see why Bayern Munich paid a million pounds for him, although a little podgy and injury prone he is a decent player.
Barnsley up the ante in the second half and it was their turn to miss from various distances, Cole and Jennings being the main culprit. They were presented with a great chance when a Cole shot was parried, Hemmings should have scored he didn't.
The introduction of Ball for the home side, had a shot saved and was inches away of converting a Proctor cross.
A dubious free kick 10 minutes from time saw Morris hit the Barnsley bar with the resulting kick. However, ex Premiership striker Leroy Lita summed up both teams inability to score. 10 yards out he put his shot over the bar, over the Percy Ronson stand and into the council houses behind the ground, they probably won't get the ball back.
To be fair to Lita, when playing in the top league he probably never thought he would be a substitute in a league one match in Fleetwood on a Wednesday night.
One thing about watching football in the land of the Cod is the lack of atmosphere on the ground, a funeral service is bouncing compared to Highbury.
Fleetwood Town 0 Barnsley 0 Att 3500
Although goalless both sides had plenty of shots at goal although sadly not a lot were on target. One that was, was early effort from the home sides Evans however he was denied by a decent save by Davies in the Tykes goal.
Fleetwood dominated a very lacklustre visitors attempts from Blair, Morris and Dobbie had Davies performing heroics to keep them out. Little was seen of the Yorkshire sides attack until 10 minutes before half time when Jennings was denied by Maxwell, on reflection he should have score. It was easy to see why Bayern Munich paid a million pounds for him, although a little podgy and injury prone he is a decent player.
Barnsley up the ante in the second half and it was their turn to miss from various distances, Cole and Jennings being the main culprit. They were presented with a great chance when a Cole shot was parried, Hemmings should have scored he didn't.
The introduction of Ball for the home side, had a shot saved and was inches away of converting a Proctor cross.
A dubious free kick 10 minutes from time saw Morris hit the Barnsley bar with the resulting kick. However, ex Premiership striker Leroy Lita summed up both teams inability to score. 10 yards out he put his shot over the bar, over the Percy Ronson stand and into the council houses behind the ground, they probably won't get the ball back.
To be fair to Lita, when playing in the top league he probably never thought he would be a substitute in a league one match in Fleetwood on a Wednesday night.
One thing about watching football in the land of the Cod is the lack of atmosphere on the ground, a funeral service is bouncing compared to Highbury.
Fleetwood Town 0 Barnsley 0 Att 3500
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Thrown away
Three up after 28 minutes and cruising, spend the next 66 minutes frantically trying to defend a three goal lead and failing is up there with one of the better Preston balls up.
Goals by Browne, Garner and Brownhill had put North End in charge against visitors Chesterfield by the half hour mark, two headers and a comedy goalkeeping error goal should have meant three points for the home side, but no.
Six minutes gone Browne stole in unmarked to head home a Hayhurst cross. Nine minutes later Chesterfield keeper Lee went walkabout Garner took his time and scored.
On 28 minutes Brownhill nodded home from close range after some canny play kept the ball in play when Chesterfield were down to 10 due to an injury.
Doyle had so nearly scored but just failed to get on the end of a good team move.
He made amends on 31 minutes when chipping the ball past Jones. North End were pinned back for the rest of the half and could barely get out of the penalty area. Boco should have reduced the arrears further firing over from close range after a Doyle flick.
Second half North End forced back same scenario as the later part of the first half, O'Shea should have done better withb a chance but North End held out quite well. Outbreaks of hand bags occured but North End seemed to have survived until 11 minutes from time when Doyle slid in at the back post to make it 3-2. King almost presented Gnaduillet with a chance but a great block by Wright kept the scores level.
Then the pivotal moment of the game, great cross by Preston winger Reid, bullet header from Garner, super save by Lee, minutes later Garner had a numpty moment handled the ball in his own area from a corner, penalty, Doyle duly completed his second hat trick in four days. Six minutes of injury time failed to produce a winner and the home fans frustration at the side is beginning to grow.
Preston North End 3 Chesterfield 3 Att 8399
Goals by Browne, Garner and Brownhill had put North End in charge against visitors Chesterfield by the half hour mark, two headers and a comedy goalkeeping error goal should have meant three points for the home side, but no.
Six minutes gone Browne stole in unmarked to head home a Hayhurst cross. Nine minutes later Chesterfield keeper Lee went walkabout Garner took his time and scored.
On 28 minutes Brownhill nodded home from close range after some canny play kept the ball in play when Chesterfield were down to 10 due to an injury.
Doyle had so nearly scored but just failed to get on the end of a good team move.
He made amends on 31 minutes when chipping the ball past Jones. North End were pinned back for the rest of the half and could barely get out of the penalty area. Boco should have reduced the arrears further firing over from close range after a Doyle flick.
Second half North End forced back same scenario as the later part of the first half, O'Shea should have done better withb a chance but North End held out quite well. Outbreaks of hand bags occured but North End seemed to have survived until 11 minutes from time when Doyle slid in at the back post to make it 3-2. King almost presented Gnaduillet with a chance but a great block by Wright kept the scores level.
Then the pivotal moment of the game, great cross by Preston winger Reid, bullet header from Garner, super save by Lee, minutes later Garner had a numpty moment handled the ball in his own area from a corner, penalty, Doyle duly completed his second hat trick in four days. Six minutes of injury time failed to produce a winner and the home fans frustration at the side is beginning to grow.
Preston North End 3 Chesterfield 3 Att 8399
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)