[themaclad]

Preston North End 1 Archer Blackpool 0

PNE line-up: Iversen; van den Berg, Bauer, Hughes; Potts, Whiteman, Browne, Johnson, Cunningham (McCann, 73); Riis, Archer. Subs not used: Ripley, Diaby, Earl, Murphy, Maguire, Sinclair.

Blackpool line-up: Grimshaw (Maxwell, 20); Connolly, Ekpiteta, Keogh, Husband; Dougall (Virtue, 82), Robson; Bowler, Anderson, Hamilton (Lavery, 64); Madine (Yates, 77). Subs not used: James, Dale, Thorniley.

Attendance: 18,740 (2,153 away fans).

Referee: Mr D Webb.

For the first time since David Eyres scored a goal direct from a free kick have North End gained a home victory over the side from the Tower end of the M55 the date was 18/12/1999 we won 3-0.
For those of us that live at the other end of the M55 a defeat would have meant enduring a miserable time working with the Tangerines but thanks to Archer's goal parity has now been restored and bragging rights are ours until sometime next season. One of the bridges over the M55 had a couple of welcoming banners for the visiting fans. Decent atmosphere, as for the match not a classic by any stretch of the imagination especially the second period.
They probably started the better but we began to look like we might get through the centre of their defence, twice Archer was played through the second time he collided with Grimshaw who was knocked out causing a lengthy delay. Good to know he was conscious .
Ex Nobber Maxwell took his place in the goal and was roundly booed everytime he touched the ball.
Hughes headed against the bar, the same piece of woodwork was also hit when a Potts cross hit a defender, the ball bounced down Browne lost his footing and the chance was lost.
Getting towards the break they were slightly on top Bowler denied by a great defensive tackle and then came the goal, Riis down the right , inch perfect pass to Archer, a couple of touches left foot shot may have taken a slight deflection, past Maxwell bottom right corner. Delirium, one fan decided to celebrate on the pitch until majestically hacked down by a steward(best tackle of the night).



The second period was low key we defended in depth allowing them plenty of the ball which in truth they did actually sod all with, any sight of the goal white shirts swarmed around the opposition, Whiteman was unlucky not to make it two although Potts probably had a better angle on the shot and Archer was rather too greedy and should have fed the ball to Riis, in the end he shot tamely wide.
Iversen didn't have a shot to save all night, only real danger came from an Anderson free kick late on which cleared the bar by a few inches.

Job done

Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I'm pleased with the result, I'm pleased for the fans. I thought our first half was excellent.

"In the second half it was a little bit different, they changed shape a couple of times and we had to make sure we dealt with it.

"Overall I'm pleased with the performance and pleased with the win.

"I told the players this [crowd] is what I want to achieve. We want to make Deepdale packed out to the rafters every other week, but it's down to us. If we're playing well they will come and support us."

Blackpool head coach Neil Critchley told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I thought generally, again, we were the better team. The game's been decided by a moment of quality that they produced and we didn't. Unfortunately I've said that too many times this season and I'm saying it again tonight.

"Between both boxes we had control of the game, particularly in the second half, but we've not done enough with our play, and when we did get around the box we failed. Poor choice, poor quality.

"It was a horrible situation to see Grimmy (Dan Grimshaw) come off so early. When's he's down for so long you're trying to get some information - I almost walked onto the pitch myself because I was really concerned about him. But he's awake at hospital and responsive so that's positive news so far."