04-12-2021, 22:10
Blackburn Rovers 1 Brereton-Diaz Preston North End 0
Blackburn line-up: Pears; Lenihan, van Hecke, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Buckley (Johnson, 66), Rothwell (Edun, 85), Pickering; Khadra (Dolan, 77), Brereton. Subs not used: Eastham, Davenport, Butterworth, Clarkson.
PNE line-up: Iversen; Storey, Lindsay, Cunningham (Sinclair, 78); Olosunde (Ledson, 82), McCann (Johnson, 78), Whiteman, Browne, Earl; Evans, Riis. Subs not used: Hudson, Rafferty, Bauer, Maguire.
Referee: Mr G Ward.
Attendance: 18,487 (4,330 PNE fans)
On horror of a day weather wise and a pitch which had any more rain fallen on it would have meant the game would not have finished, both sides gave their all in a game with limited chances, neither keeper could be classed as being overworked. The only goal early in the second half Khadra baal in from the left Brereton-Diaz glancing header into the far corner.
All three main central defenders were out injured for us Olosunde made his debut four months after we signed him, feared the worst but to be honest we were rarely troubled in the first period apart from a very tame Buckley effort and a Browne tackle on the edge of our block to deny a home playrs shot. We started well passing the ball about well when it wasn't stuck in the water, Browne had an early chance final shot tame and in general we bossed the first half
Lenihan launched a sliding tackle which sent Browne into the main stand earned a booking probably lucky that the referee took the conditions into account normal times possible red
We had a possible chance from a corner which led to a scramble in their box but apart from that it was mainly a midfield battle which in the first half we won.
Mowbray picked up a yellow for moaning which was a bonus
Second half they were on top following the goal they were comfortable and were happy to contain us hoping to catch us on the break, bit more scrappier in the second few more bookings the tradition hand bags on the pitch, as we started chasing the game there was a bit more room for the Chilean from Stoke on Trent
and a second goal looked more likely for them than it did for us. We had a huge shout for a penalty couldn't tell at the time but having seen the replay Nyambe clearly handles it, some you get some you don't
Brereton-Diaz forced Iversen into a good save at the end and the hosts celebrated big time having beaten a side in 18th place
For once didn't drown on Livesey Branch Road after the game, disappointing to lose but they put in the effort unlike a Bloomfield
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Sport Lancashire:
"The ball was getting stuck on the pitch all the time. Our team talk was 'Let's not take any chances, not play any square balls - let's just put it behind them.'
"So it's not a very nice game of football. It's not conducive to what we try and do.
"As a derby, with the rain and the pitch like that, there was blood and thunder. There was a lot of challenges and competition for the ball.
"It wasn't a purist's day but it was a day to try and win a game of football. Thankfully I'm sitting here and we've won. We'll put the points in the bag and move on."
Preston manager Frankie McAvoy told BBC Sport Lancashire:
"It's too cheap for us to allow the cross into the box. We had spoke about making sure you don't allow Diaz or anybody to get across the front of you for a header.
"We worked really hard on that to make sure it did not happen, but unfortunately he gets across and it's a great header from him.
"I didn't think there was much between the two teams at all. We probably had more of the ball.
"I've seen the penalty claim back myself. It looks like a penalty kick. The guy's hands are away from his body. I think that wee bit of luck evaded us.
Blackburn line-up: Pears; Lenihan, van Hecke, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Buckley (Johnson, 66), Rothwell (Edun, 85), Pickering; Khadra (Dolan, 77), Brereton. Subs not used: Eastham, Davenport, Butterworth, Clarkson.
PNE line-up: Iversen; Storey, Lindsay, Cunningham (Sinclair, 78); Olosunde (Ledson, 82), McCann (Johnson, 78), Whiteman, Browne, Earl; Evans, Riis. Subs not used: Hudson, Rafferty, Bauer, Maguire.
Referee: Mr G Ward.
Attendance: 18,487 (4,330 PNE fans)
On horror of a day weather wise and a pitch which had any more rain fallen on it would have meant the game would not have finished, both sides gave their all in a game with limited chances, neither keeper could be classed as being overworked. The only goal early in the second half Khadra baal in from the left Brereton-Diaz glancing header into the far corner.
All three main central defenders were out injured for us Olosunde made his debut four months after we signed him, feared the worst but to be honest we were rarely troubled in the first period apart from a very tame Buckley effort and a Browne tackle on the edge of our block to deny a home playrs shot. We started well passing the ball about well when it wasn't stuck in the water, Browne had an early chance final shot tame and in general we bossed the first half
Lenihan launched a sliding tackle which sent Browne into the main stand earned a booking probably lucky that the referee took the conditions into account normal times possible red
We had a possible chance from a corner which led to a scramble in their box but apart from that it was mainly a midfield battle which in the first half we won.
Mowbray picked up a yellow for moaning which was a bonus
Second half they were on top following the goal they were comfortable and were happy to contain us hoping to catch us on the break, bit more scrappier in the second few more bookings the tradition hand bags on the pitch, as we started chasing the game there was a bit more room for the Chilean from Stoke on Trent
and a second goal looked more likely for them than it did for us. We had a huge shout for a penalty couldn't tell at the time but having seen the replay Nyambe clearly handles it, some you get some you don't
Brereton-Diaz forced Iversen into a good save at the end and the hosts celebrated big time having beaten a side in 18th place
For once didn't drown on Livesey Branch Road after the game, disappointing to lose but they put in the effort unlike a Bloomfield
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Sport Lancashire:
"The ball was getting stuck on the pitch all the time. Our team talk was 'Let's not take any chances, not play any square balls - let's just put it behind them.'
"So it's not a very nice game of football. It's not conducive to what we try and do.
"As a derby, with the rain and the pitch like that, there was blood and thunder. There was a lot of challenges and competition for the ball.
"It wasn't a purist's day but it was a day to try and win a game of football. Thankfully I'm sitting here and we've won. We'll put the points in the bag and move on."
Preston manager Frankie McAvoy told BBC Sport Lancashire:
"It's too cheap for us to allow the cross into the box. We had spoke about making sure you don't allow Diaz or anybody to get across the front of you for a header.
"We worked really hard on that to make sure it did not happen, but unfortunately he gets across and it's a great header from him.
"I didn't think there was much between the two teams at all. We probably had more of the ball.
"I've seen the penalty claim back myself. It looks like a penalty kick. The guy's hands are away from his body. I think that wee bit of luck evaded us.
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