31-07-2024, 14:45
A stunning strike from Robbie Brady and a late effort from Milutin Osmajić earned Preston North End a 2-0 victory against Salford City.
Ryan Lowe’s side created a host of chances in the first half and took the lead with the last action of it, as Brady sent a superb effort into the bottom corner.
PNE could have extended their advantage through the likes of Ben Whiteman and Duane Holmes, but it wasn’t until the 85th minute when Milutin Osmajić scored on his return from injury.
North End were on the front foot right from the start and so nearly found the lead within the opening two minutes, but Holmes couldn’t quite beat the goalkeeper to reach Emil Riis’ cross.
Brad Potts was then twice involved soon after, firstly seeing an effort blocked, and in the same minute he laid it off for Brady, who fired a strike over the bar.
There was a scare at the other end as a defensive mix-up almost allowed Dan Chesters an easy finish, but Kian Best was there to block off the line.
Riis was proving lively and causing problems, forcing Matty Young into a decent save, and later pulling back for Potts who in turn passed it on to Sam Greenwood, and the forward perhaps should have done better from ten yards.
North End’s deserved opener would eventually arrive right on the stroke of half-time, though, courtesy of a stunning strike from Brady, which was rocketed into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
PNE continued to attack well in the early stages after half-time and would have had a second were it not for a top save by Young to deny Whiteman on the counter.
It looked as though Greenwood was denied by one of his teammates just after the hour mark as a few bodies got in the way of his effort, while in the opposite goal Dai Cornell made himself big to prevent Cole Stockton levelling.
Brady – influential all night long – played a super ball through to Holmes in the 69th minute, but the American was thwarted only by a last-ditch defensive block.
Given the chances created, Ryan Lowe’s side probably would have been disappointed to walk away with just a 1-0 victory, and they were therefore pleased when a slammed, low cross from Frøkjær was finished off by Osmajić, in amongst a number of bodies inside the area.
PNE line-up: Cornell; Storey, Lindsay (Whatmough, 71), Best (Pasiek, 83); Potts (T.Mawene, 85), Whiteman (Frøkjær, 57), Ledson (N.Mawene, 85), Brady (Hughes, 71); Holmes, Greenwood (Keane, 71); Riis (Osmajić, 71). Unused subs: Pradic, Thórdarson.
FANTASTIC SAYS
Speaking after the victory over Salford City, manager Ryan Lowe praised North End’s two goalscorers, Robbie Brady and Milutin Osmajić.
The left wing-back opened the scoring right on the stroke of half-time with a superb strike from 20 yards, before the Montenegrin forward doubled PNE’s lead late on.
It wasn’t Brady’s first of pre-season, having netted an incredible lob in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Liverpool, and he’s been earning plaudits for his performances in general.
Ryan said: “He's been fantastic. This is the first time really that he’s been through a full pre-season [with us] and I think you can see that.
“He went away with Ireland at the end of the season. We gave him an extra couple of days off to go on holiday with the family and I think it’s worked well for him.
“We want to keep on top of him; he’s doing the right things. He’s a top professional as everyone knows. You don’t play at the highest level if you’re not.
“His quality is showing through. We’re getting him higher up the pitch where we know he’s got that goal threat and we’re really pleased he’s got a couple of goals and hopefully he can continue that.”
The second of the evening came from North End’s No.28 on his return to the side, having missed the previous few matches with a back injury.
His goal came about after good work down the right from Mads Frøkjær, and the striker – in amongst a number of bodies – scooped the ball up into the roof of the net from close range.
Ryan said: “I’m not bothered how the goal is. Marshy turned around and said, ‘There you go gaffer, the strikers are where you want them.’
“Two of them were in between the goalposts. If you’re in between the goalposts you get an opportunity, it’s as simple as that. All the best strikers get in there.
“Yeah it was scruffy, it probably hit his ankle, but I’m not bothered as long as the ball hits the back of the net.
“It was nice to see him get more minutes than we probably expected because he has that little niggle in his back, but yeah a goal for him and hopefully that’ll give him a bit of confidence.”
All in all, the runout at the Peninsula Stadium was an entertaining watch which arguably could have seen North End come away with a greater scoreline.
Ryan said: “It was competitive and that’s what we want. Karl [Robinson] has put a good team together here, a good squad who will definitely compete in League Two I’m sure.
“He’s a top coach and a top manager. We knew it was going to be competitive hence why we wanted to come in our second-to-last game before the season starts.
Ryan Lowe’s side created a host of chances in the first half and took the lead with the last action of it, as Brady sent a superb effort into the bottom corner.
PNE could have extended their advantage through the likes of Ben Whiteman and Duane Holmes, but it wasn’t until the 85th minute when Milutin Osmajić scored on his return from injury.
North End were on the front foot right from the start and so nearly found the lead within the opening two minutes, but Holmes couldn’t quite beat the goalkeeper to reach Emil Riis’ cross.
Brad Potts was then twice involved soon after, firstly seeing an effort blocked, and in the same minute he laid it off for Brady, who fired a strike over the bar.
There was a scare at the other end as a defensive mix-up almost allowed Dan Chesters an easy finish, but Kian Best was there to block off the line.
Riis was proving lively and causing problems, forcing Matty Young into a decent save, and later pulling back for Potts who in turn passed it on to Sam Greenwood, and the forward perhaps should have done better from ten yards.
North End’s deserved opener would eventually arrive right on the stroke of half-time, though, courtesy of a stunning strike from Brady, which was rocketed into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
PNE continued to attack well in the early stages after half-time and would have had a second were it not for a top save by Young to deny Whiteman on the counter.
It looked as though Greenwood was denied by one of his teammates just after the hour mark as a few bodies got in the way of his effort, while in the opposite goal Dai Cornell made himself big to prevent Cole Stockton levelling.
Brady – influential all night long – played a super ball through to Holmes in the 69th minute, but the American was thwarted only by a last-ditch defensive block.
Given the chances created, Ryan Lowe’s side probably would have been disappointed to walk away with just a 1-0 victory, and they were therefore pleased when a slammed, low cross from Frøkjær was finished off by Osmajić, in amongst a number of bodies inside the area.
PNE line-up: Cornell; Storey, Lindsay (Whatmough, 71), Best (Pasiek, 83); Potts (T.Mawene, 85), Whiteman (Frøkjær, 57), Ledson (N.Mawene, 85), Brady (Hughes, 71); Holmes, Greenwood (Keane, 71); Riis (Osmajić, 71). Unused subs: Pradic, Thórdarson.
FANTASTIC SAYS
Speaking after the victory over Salford City, manager Ryan Lowe praised North End’s two goalscorers, Robbie Brady and Milutin Osmajić.
The left wing-back opened the scoring right on the stroke of half-time with a superb strike from 20 yards, before the Montenegrin forward doubled PNE’s lead late on.
It wasn’t Brady’s first of pre-season, having netted an incredible lob in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Liverpool, and he’s been earning plaudits for his performances in general.
Ryan said: “He's been fantastic. This is the first time really that he’s been through a full pre-season [with us] and I think you can see that.
“He went away with Ireland at the end of the season. We gave him an extra couple of days off to go on holiday with the family and I think it’s worked well for him.
“We want to keep on top of him; he’s doing the right things. He’s a top professional as everyone knows. You don’t play at the highest level if you’re not.
“His quality is showing through. We’re getting him higher up the pitch where we know he’s got that goal threat and we’re really pleased he’s got a couple of goals and hopefully he can continue that.”
The second of the evening came from North End’s No.28 on his return to the side, having missed the previous few matches with a back injury.
His goal came about after good work down the right from Mads Frøkjær, and the striker – in amongst a number of bodies – scooped the ball up into the roof of the net from close range.
Ryan said: “I’m not bothered how the goal is. Marshy turned around and said, ‘There you go gaffer, the strikers are where you want them.’
“Two of them were in between the goalposts. If you’re in between the goalposts you get an opportunity, it’s as simple as that. All the best strikers get in there.
“Yeah it was scruffy, it probably hit his ankle, but I’m not bothered as long as the ball hits the back of the net.
“It was nice to see him get more minutes than we probably expected because he has that little niggle in his back, but yeah a goal for him and hopefully that’ll give him a bit of confidence.”
All in all, the runout at the Peninsula Stadium was an entertaining watch which arguably could have seen North End come away with a greater scoreline.
Ryan said: “It was competitive and that’s what we want. Karl [Robinson] has put a good team together here, a good squad who will definitely compete in League Two I’m sure.
“He’s a top coach and a top manager. We knew it was going to be competitive hence why we wanted to come in our second-to-last game before the season starts.
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