03-10-2015, 19:53
Made hard work of it..................AGAIN!
Only a few chances in a fairly quiet first half until injury time, a couple of headers over the bar. Then with a ball up front which was allowed to bounce by the Preston defence and we gained control, the ball was played forward to Forestieri whose clever flick was ran onto by Lee who slotted past the keeper. HT 1-0
We started the 2nd half much brighter, Lees heading just wide from a corner. Bannan had a long range effort saved by Pickford and FF rebound was blocked for a corner. The pressure brought fruition when we went 2 up. Lee gathered the ball on the left threaded a ball thru to Pudil whose cross was blocked, Preston tried to clear but hit Pudil who controlled the ball before toe-poking past the keeper. Preston changed there forward line with the ineffective Keane & May both being replaced by Doyle & Hugill. This seemed to bring Preston to life with 2 quick headers, the 2nd a pretty poor miss by Doyle, I think. North End then pulled one back. A corner was headed down, where Browne turned and finished. Preston continued to attack against a now nervy backline, Welsh brought a good save from Westwood and then another long range effort flew just over the bar. A free kick by McGugan hit the sidenetting for us and then substitute Lopez was denied by Pickford. Into 5 minutes of injury time as Preston pressed for the leveller, a clearance fell to McGugan about 40 yards who controlled and chipped over the retreating Pickford who had been up for a corner, cue relief around 3 sides of the ground. FT 3-1.
Westwood 7 - One good save, wasn't overly troubled, no chance for their goal.
Hunt 6 - OK going forward, needs to work on his defensive qualities
Pudil 7 - Best LB since we've had Worthington & King, got on the scoresheet too.
Lees 5 - Easy for 60 minutes, then hassled by sub strikers
Turner 5 - See above
Hutchinson 6 - Steady but still rash in the challenge
Lee 7 - Quieter than of late but got on the scoresheet again.
Wallace 6 - Quietest game I have seen from him
Forestieri 7 - Our season may depend on him, lovely flick for Lee to score.
Bannan 7 - Live wire, never seems to stop running, incredible energy
Nuhiu 6 - Quiet game, got no help from the ref as usual.
Joao 5 - Not involved enough
McGugan 6 - Quiet when came on, then sealed game with 40 yard chip
Lopez 5 - Not on long had one shot saved.
Another welcome 3 points, but yet again should have been more comfortable a tofter going 2-0 up and been in control of the match at that point. Preston were far more effective with there sub strikers on and caused real problems for Lee & Turner. We subbed Forestieri and seemed to lose the forward momentum we had with him on the pitch. After 60 mins the result seemed nailed on, Preston had never looked like scoring, I think all there attempts came in the last 30 mins.
We need to learn to kill teams off and not have the heebie jeebies for the last 20 mins in games. I think we just about deserved to win.
Cant wait for Themaclad view on the game.
Only a few chances in a fairly quiet first half until injury time, a couple of headers over the bar. Then with a ball up front which was allowed to bounce by the Preston defence and we gained control, the ball was played forward to Forestieri whose clever flick was ran onto by Lee who slotted past the keeper. HT 1-0
We started the 2nd half much brighter, Lees heading just wide from a corner. Bannan had a long range effort saved by Pickford and FF rebound was blocked for a corner. The pressure brought fruition when we went 2 up. Lee gathered the ball on the left threaded a ball thru to Pudil whose cross was blocked, Preston tried to clear but hit Pudil who controlled the ball before toe-poking past the keeper. Preston changed there forward line with the ineffective Keane & May both being replaced by Doyle & Hugill. This seemed to bring Preston to life with 2 quick headers, the 2nd a pretty poor miss by Doyle, I think. North End then pulled one back. A corner was headed down, where Browne turned and finished. Preston continued to attack against a now nervy backline, Welsh brought a good save from Westwood and then another long range effort flew just over the bar. A free kick by McGugan hit the sidenetting for us and then substitute Lopez was denied by Pickford. Into 5 minutes of injury time as Preston pressed for the leveller, a clearance fell to McGugan about 40 yards who controlled and chipped over the retreating Pickford who had been up for a corner, cue relief around 3 sides of the ground. FT 3-1.
Westwood 7 - One good save, wasn't overly troubled, no chance for their goal.
Hunt 6 - OK going forward, needs to work on his defensive qualities
Pudil 7 - Best LB since we've had Worthington & King, got on the scoresheet too.
Lees 5 - Easy for 60 minutes, then hassled by sub strikers
Turner 5 - See above
Hutchinson 6 - Steady but still rash in the challenge
Lee 7 - Quieter than of late but got on the scoresheet again.
Wallace 6 - Quietest game I have seen from him
Forestieri 7 - Our season may depend on him, lovely flick for Lee to score.
Bannan 7 - Live wire, never seems to stop running, incredible energy
Nuhiu 6 - Quiet game, got no help from the ref as usual.
Joao 5 - Not involved enough
McGugan 6 - Quiet when came on, then sealed game with 40 yard chip
Lopez 5 - Not on long had one shot saved.
Another welcome 3 points, but yet again should have been more comfortable a tofter going 2-0 up and been in control of the match at that point. Preston were far more effective with there sub strikers on and caused real problems for Lee & Turner. We subbed Forestieri and seemed to lose the forward momentum we had with him on the pitch. After 60 mins the result seemed nailed on, Preston had never looked like scoring, I think all there attempts came in the last 30 mins.
We need to learn to kill teams off and not have the heebie jeebies for the last 20 mins in games. I think we just about deserved to win.
Cant wait for Themaclad view on the game.
Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so. For glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.