07-01-2018, 11:38
Wycombe Wanderers 1 (O'Nein) Preston North End 5 (Harrop 2 Browne 2 Horgan)
Wycombe Wanderers line-up: Brown, Bean, Jacobson (Cowan-Hall, 79), Scarr, El-Abd ©, O’Nien, Bloomfield (Kashket, 71), Saunders (De Havilland, 46), Freeman, Tyson, Akinfenwa. Subs not used: Ma-Kalambay, Gape, Southwell, Mackail-Smith.
PNE line-up: Rudd, Woods (Boyle, 78), Cunningham, Welsh, Clarke ©, Huntington, Bodin (Johnson, 79), Browne, Robinson (Robinson, 85), Harrop, Horgan. Subs not used: Hudson, Vermijl, O’Connor, Barkhuizen.
Attendance: 4,928 (791 PNE fans)
Referee: Mr P Bankes
Apparently North End's biggest away win since beating Middlesbrough Ironopolis 7-0 in the 1890's and that was probably as stroll as well.
Neil got it spot on with the team selection, keeping a strong back four, Rudd made his official debut as a North End player as did Bodin, although other new signing Moult still a week away from fitness.
Any early worries were put to bed after 90 seconds when Harrop curled in a stunner from a 25 yard free kick, which credit must also be given to the referee who tried to play an advantage, but with none coming blew for the free kick.
North End were having plenty of joy down both wings and looked capable of scoring at any time, denied by some decent keeping and some stout defending.
Took Wanderers a while to get into the game with the ball to Akinfenwa being the most likely way they would get a break through, caused us a bit of trouble and had a couple of half chances, one shot over the top and one on target which was pushed to safety by Rudd. North End weathered the storm and doubled their lead , good work by Bodin initially before the ball found it's way to Browne 20 plus yards out left footed volley 2-0. On the stroke of half time Wycombe scored, bit of laziness at the back starting with Rudd rolling the ball to Clarke who hadn't realised he had been given the ball, cleared the danger but the home side got a throw in on the right. For once Bean didn't foul throw, ball to O'Nein shot deflected of Horgan, Wycombe back in it.
Could have been a tough second half but two goal lead soon restored, Horgan easily got passed De Haviland and his shot flicked off the defender over Brown, comfort zone again. This time no slip ups, Wycome tried their best had a couple of near misses but North End were comfortable, near the end a foul on Huntington in the box, Browne converted, there was still time for a fifth, lovely team goal as well, Horgan to Cunningham his cross from deep was powerfully headed home by the classy Harrop from 12 yards.
Professional performance and in the absence of Hugill interesting to note how much better football we play without having to lump the ball forward.
Probably get Yeovil away next but at least we are in the next round.
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth:
"The upset went out of the window in the first minute and we were outdone by a much better team today.
"Fair play to Alex Neil, he's got his team working really well.
"It's the best Preston team I've seen for a long, long time and I think they've got a real chance this year of making the play-offs."
Preston boss Alex Neil:
"Whenever you come away to any lower-league opposition, the first thing you're going to have to do is match them for effort, endeavour, willingness to win and willingness to work.
"We did all that and what we've got is some real quality players within our group and I thought that shone and came through.
"I thought the standard of some of the goals was excellent."
Wycombe Wanderers line-up: Brown, Bean, Jacobson (Cowan-Hall, 79), Scarr, El-Abd ©, O’Nien, Bloomfield (Kashket, 71), Saunders (De Havilland, 46), Freeman, Tyson, Akinfenwa. Subs not used: Ma-Kalambay, Gape, Southwell, Mackail-Smith.
PNE line-up: Rudd, Woods (Boyle, 78), Cunningham, Welsh, Clarke ©, Huntington, Bodin (Johnson, 79), Browne, Robinson (Robinson, 85), Harrop, Horgan. Subs not used: Hudson, Vermijl, O’Connor, Barkhuizen.
Attendance: 4,928 (791 PNE fans)
Referee: Mr P Bankes
Apparently North End's biggest away win since beating Middlesbrough Ironopolis 7-0 in the 1890's and that was probably as stroll as well.
Neil got it spot on with the team selection, keeping a strong back four, Rudd made his official debut as a North End player as did Bodin, although other new signing Moult still a week away from fitness.
Any early worries were put to bed after 90 seconds when Harrop curled in a stunner from a 25 yard free kick, which credit must also be given to the referee who tried to play an advantage, but with none coming blew for the free kick.
North End were having plenty of joy down both wings and looked capable of scoring at any time, denied by some decent keeping and some stout defending.
Took Wanderers a while to get into the game with the ball to Akinfenwa being the most likely way they would get a break through, caused us a bit of trouble and had a couple of half chances, one shot over the top and one on target which was pushed to safety by Rudd. North End weathered the storm and doubled their lead , good work by Bodin initially before the ball found it's way to Browne 20 plus yards out left footed volley 2-0. On the stroke of half time Wycombe scored, bit of laziness at the back starting with Rudd rolling the ball to Clarke who hadn't realised he had been given the ball, cleared the danger but the home side got a throw in on the right. For once Bean didn't foul throw, ball to O'Nein shot deflected of Horgan, Wycombe back in it.
Could have been a tough second half but two goal lead soon restored, Horgan easily got passed De Haviland and his shot flicked off the defender over Brown, comfort zone again. This time no slip ups, Wycome tried their best had a couple of near misses but North End were comfortable, near the end a foul on Huntington in the box, Browne converted, there was still time for a fifth, lovely team goal as well, Horgan to Cunningham his cross from deep was powerfully headed home by the classy Harrop from 12 yards.
Professional performance and in the absence of Hugill interesting to note how much better football we play without having to lump the ball forward.
Probably get Yeovil away next but at least we are in the next round.
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth:
"The upset went out of the window in the first minute and we were outdone by a much better team today.
"Fair play to Alex Neil, he's got his team working really well.
"It's the best Preston team I've seen for a long, long time and I think they've got a real chance this year of making the play-offs."
Preston boss Alex Neil:
"Whenever you come away to any lower-league opposition, the first thing you're going to have to do is match them for effort, endeavour, willingness to win and willingness to work.
"We did all that and what we've got is some real quality players within our group and I thought that shone and came through.
"I thought the standard of some of the goals was excellent."
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?