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Preston North End 1 Southampton 3


A brace from Danny Ings and a third from Jake Vokins gave Southampton a pre-season win at Deepdale, despite a goal on his Deepdale comeback by Billy Bodin.

The Welshman scored on his first outing in PR1 for a year with a quality finish, cutting in from the right, to, at the time, level things up, after Ings' opener, but the Premier League side eventually ran out winners.

The visitors started brightly and after an early corner, which Connor Ripley made an excellent punch to clear, the keeper was required to make a smart stop to deny Irish international striker Shane Long after a swift and powerful run from Michael Obafemi, who then reversed a pass to the frontman, only to be denied by the PNE stopper.

They also had the ball in the net before the ten minute mark, Long firing home from close range from Ryan Bertrand’s ball in from the left, but the assistant’s flag was straight up to rule out the goal.

But it was the home side who went closest to the first legal goal shortly after as Maguire flicked a Storey long ball on and Barkhuizen read a back-header got behind Angus Gunn, but couldn’t quite push the ball in from a very narrow angle.

Within seconds of this though, Ings grabbed a goal. A pass back to Ripley was cleared, but the former Burnley man made himself big and deflected the ball big back over the head of the goalkeeper and into the empty net for the first goal PNE had conceded in pre-season.

But it didn’t take long to draw level as on 18 minutes Bodin collected the ball on the right from a Tom Clarke throw in, cut inside onto his left foot and curled a vicious effort into the top left corner of Angus Gunn’s goal; the Welshman’s third goal in pre-season.

Ripley made another positive contribution to deny Obafemi on the half hour mark after Ings had found the right midfielder in space in the right side of the penalty area, the No.25 spreading himself well and saving with his legs.

However, the Saints were back in front just before the interval, as a cross from the left by Bertrand to the edge of the six yard box was met powerfully by Ings, who directed his header into the bottom left hand corner for his second of the game.

The second half took a while to get a tempo, but just after the mid-way point an excellent break by the Lilywhites saw Maguire wend Pearson down the right, he in-turn found Johnson, who found Barkhuizen on the left, who cut inside and shot, Gunn making a fine stop to prevent the equaliser.

Andrew Hughes was also denied an equaliser with a quarter of an hour left, as Bodin’s corner was headed down by Jordan Storey, but an effort from the left back was blocked in the six yard box.

But rather than an equaliser a third goal arrived for Southampton and Jake Vokins, on late in the game was the man to get it, poking home in the six yard box after a ball from the left by another substitute Nathan Redmond.

The home side went close to pulling one back with five minutes to go, when Louis Moult - on for Barkhuizen - got away down the left and pulled the ball to the edge of the six yard box, only for Gunn to come swiftly off his line to claim at the feet of Maguire, but the game remained 3-1.

PNE line-up: Ripley, Clarke © (Rafferty, 79), Hughes, Pearson, Storey, Davies, Barkhuizen (Moult, 72), Johnson, Maguire, Browne, Bodin (Burke, 79). Subs not used: Rudd, Earl, Harrop, Gallagher, Ginnelly, Ledson, Stockley, Bauer, Huntington, Potts.

Southampton line-up: Gunn, Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, Long (Armstrong, 60), Ings (Reed, 60), Bednarek (Vokins, 72), Smallbone, Obafemi (Redmond, 60), Bertrand (Klarer, 72), Hojbjerg © (Sims, 60). Subs not used: Lewis, O’Connor, Johnson.

Attendance: 4,767 (385 Southampton fans)

Referee: Mr P Bankes

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Now playing Accie at Leyland on Tuesday

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Hastily rearranged friendly against Accrington Stanley at Leyland after Bolton players understandibly extended their strike having not been paid for 20 weeks, will they start the season, touch and go methinks.
As for our new opponents every credit for them staying up last season in League , smallest budget and ground probably punching above their weight but credit to them under John Coleman.
The County ground at Leyland used to be the ground of Leyland Motors FC had one unique featured wooden square goal posts. Now home to Lancashire FA. The ground was adjacent to the Leyland Motors cricket ground also now defunct, scene of a mighty victory for Whittle le Woods ist xi against basically a Leyland Motors Northern league side in an F Ley cup match, happy days.

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Preston North End v Accrington Stanley Match Preview
The Lilywhites’ latest pre-season fixture sees Alex Neil’s men take on Accrington Stanley at the LFA Headquarters in Leyland on Tuesday evening.
Stanley stepped in to take the game after the clash with Bolton Wanderers was postponed, with the Trotters unable to fulfil the fixture, however, John Coleman was quick to come forward and provide the opposition.

The North End boss is pleased to still have the game, with Brad Potts set for his first run out of the 2019/20 preparations, having been on the bench for the weekend’s clash with Premier League Southampton.

The only two players who are unlikely to be involved at the County Ground are Darnell Fisher and David Nugent, however, both are in training with the rest of the squad and could be fit for some level of action at one of the two weekend’s games against Fleetwood Town at Highbury and Newcastle United at Deepdale.

The game could be a chance for more members of the squad to complete a full 90 minutes, with nine players completing the full game against Ralf Hassenhutl’s Saints at the weekend – Billy Bodin finishing his first full match in over a year, and scoring in the process.


EFL official Michael Salisbury will officiate the game, which has a 7.45pm kick-off

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1 all Bauer potted

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Preston North End 1 Accrington Stanley 1

Patrick Bauer scored his first Preston North End goal as the Lilywhites drew their latest pre-season friendly against Accrington Stanley at the LFA Headquarters.

Both sides scored within five minutes of each other with headed goals just before half-time in extremely hot temperatures at the County Ground, with Colby Bishop equalising the German’s opener.

In reality, Alex Neil’s Lilywhites should have been out of sight by half-time with Demi Evtimov and the Stanley backline preventing the returning Brad Potts on two occasions, plus other members of the North End attack.

They could have gone ahead in the opening minute as Josh Ginnelly shot across goal from the right, with Louis Moult flying in at the back post, only for Mark Hughes to get across and make an excellent block.

Just after the quarter hour mark Evtimov made a superb save from Potts, starting his first game of pre-season. There was some great build-up play by the greens, with the No.44 forcing a stop from the Reds No.1, the ball coming back out to Harrop on the edge of the ‘D’, with Hughes again making a fine block on the line.

The keeper and North End’s former Barnsley midfielder seemed to be having a personal battle, with the custodian using his face to deny Potts a goal on 20 minutes inside the six yard box, after more slick passing.

The East Lancashire sides first chance came the way of Sean McConville, whose effort from 20 yards was well saved by Declan Rudd, turning the ball behind with two hands.

However, it was Paul Gallagher who almost raised the roof as he saw Evtimov off his line and was inches away from scoring from the half-way line, as England captain Harry Kane had done days before.

But the opening goal came on 39 minutes. A quick one-two from a corner between Gallagher and Harrop, saw the ball set for the former to curl in a superb ball from the right and Bauer rose highest at the back post, to head into the top right corner of the goal.

However, Stanley were back level seconds before the break. Right back Callum Johnson delivered the ball in from the right-hand side and Bishop rose above his defender to head home from ten yards out.

Another Gallagher cross seven minutes into the latter period was headed back across goal by Bauer for Louis Moult, but he couldn’t keep his left foot volley down and it flew over the bar from the penalty spot.

Ryan Ledson went close to his first goal for North End too, as a deflected effort from 25 yards left Evtimov flat-footed, but the ball flew inches over the bar for a corner.

Late changes for North End saw them dominant in possession and former Accrington man Sean Maguire forced another good save from the goalkeeper, after Andrew Hughes’ low cross from the left, but the game remained 1-1.

PNE line-up: Rudd, Rafferty (Fisher, 61), Huntington (Davies, 76), Bauer, Earl (Hughes, 76), Ledson (Pearson, 76), Gallagher (Johnson, 76), Potts (Burke, 61), Ginnelly (Barkhuizen, 76), Moult, Harrop (Bodin, 75 (Maguire, 80). Subs not used: Ripley, Clarke, Storey, Browne.

Accrington Stanley line-up: Evtimov, Johnson, J Maguire, M Hughes, Sykes, Conneely, Clarke, Finley (Pritchard, 78), Bishop (Simmonds, 57), Sherif, McConville (Trialist, 78). Subs not used: Savin, Angol, Barclay, Wilson.

Attendance: 1,011

Referee: Mr G Salisbury

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v
Fleetwood Town v Preston North End

Highbury

Fleetwood Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Fleetwood, Lancashire, England. Established in 1997, the current Fleetwood Town F.C. is the third incarnation of the club; it was first formed in 1908. The team compete in League One, the third tier of English football. Their home strip is red shirts with white sleeves and white shorts. The home ground is Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, and the supporters are affectionately known as the Cod Army. The club won the 2011–12 Football Conference, and played in the Football League for the first time in its history in the 2012–13 season. In May 2014, at Wembley, Fleetwood won the promotion play-off to League One, the club's sixth promotion in 10 years.
The Cod have had a busy summer and have made some decent signings Josh Morris but the acquisition of Paul Coutts could be inspired, they may struggle if boss Barton gets jailed for his alledged dental work on the Barnsley manager.
Played them in a friendly two years ago won 5-1.
Only competitive meeting at Highbury was a 1-1 draw

v
Preston North End v Newcastle United

Deepdale

A double header with one on Friday night and one on Saturday afternoon, the Toon seem to be regular visitors to Deepdale whether in League matches or friendlies one thing though is Mitrovic won't score.
One major signing Joelinton who arrived for nearly £40 million this week from Hoffenheim, may not see him at Deepdale, expect our side to be almost the one that win play Millwall next week

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Preston North End play their penultimate pre-season friendly before the 2019/20 season gets underway as they travel to Highbury to take on Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town on Friday night.

Manager Alex Neil is likely to give his squad 90 minutes again across the two weekend fixtures, with David Nugent possibly available to make his return in a Lilywhites shirt against the Cod Army.

Darnell Fisher and Brad Potts, who came through 30 and 60 minutes against Accrington respectively, should both continue to increase their loads ahead of the new Championship season as we take on our Fylde coast neighbours.

The North End boss goes into the final weekend of preparations with all his first team available for selection; Jayden Stockley, who missed Tuesday night’s game, back in contention and set to complete a full game over the weekend.

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PNE line-up: Ripley; Fisher, Storey, Hungtington, Earl; Ledson, Johnson; Burke, Harrop; Nugent, Stockley.
Subs: Crowe, Rafferty, Armer, O'Reilly, Walker, Moult, Simpson.

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0-0ht

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Lost 1-0

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Fleetwood Town 1 Preston North End 0

A second half strike by substitute Ash Hunter gave Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town a narrow win as many of the North End side completed 90 minutes.

David Nugent played for 45 minutes on his return to the Lilywhites, 12 years since he last pulled on a PNE shirt in a competitive game at Highbury, but he was unable to record a win in his first game back.

After a slow first 20 minutes, with neither side in the ascendency and the goalkeepers untroubled, the Lilywhites started to gain a foothold and good play by Nugent down the right-hand side of the penalty area brought a chance, with his cross eventually collected by Josh Earl, who delivered back across for Jayden Stockley to cushion the ball down to Graham Burke, whose left foot volley was well blocked by Harry Souttar near the penalty spot.


And it was the same combination that almost brought an opener five minutes before half-time. This time an excellent harrying job by Josh Harrop won the ball close to half-way and he fed a ball into the penalty area for Stockley to cushion down for Irishman Burke, and the No.19 played a deft chip over Cairns in the Cod Army goal, but just over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

The greens had the ball in the net a minute later, through Stockley, after some excellent play involving Burke, Nugent and Darnell Fisher – making his first start of pre-season – but it was the right back, who crossed for the forward to convert, who was flagged for offside to rule out the goal.

But it was the home side who scored the opener just before the hour mark. Souttar stepped out of the backline and broke into the PNE half, before sliding the ball into substitute Hunter, who controlled and fired low under Connor Ripley into the left-hand side of the goal from 15 yards out.

Burke brought a superb stop out of substitute keeper Billy Crellin with 25 minutes to go; the attacker turning and shooting in one movement to curl a left-footed effort towards the bottom right corner until an interception from the Fleetwood custodian, who turned the ball behind for a corner.

In the final quarter of an hour, with the home side having made ten changes in total, North End pressed for an equaliser and an effort from skipper for the night Daniel Johnson almost forced a mistake from Crellin, however, he just managed to keep the 25 yards driven effort between his legs, when it appeared it might squirm through to level matters.

Louis Moult, on at the break for Nugent, tried an audacious chip from 50 yards that went past Crellin, but narrowly wide of the left-hand upright in the final two minutes as the visitors continued to press to the end.

Fleetwood Town line-up: Cairns (Crellin, 62), Coyle (Rydel, 73), Andrew (Sheron, 73), P Clarke (Eastham, 62), Souttar, Burns (Mooney, 73), Biggins (Madden, 62), McAleny (Sowerby, 62), Morris (Hunter, 23), Coutts © (Baggley, 73), Rossiter (Southam-Hales, 73).

PNE line-up: Ripley, Fisher (Rafferty, 73), Earl, Ledson, Storey, Huntington, Harrop, Johnson ©, Stockley, Nugent (Moult, 46), Burke (O’Reilly, 84). Subs not used: Crowe, Simpson, Walker, Armer.

Attendance: 1,920

Referee: Mr P Bankes

Preston North End’s final game of their 2019/20 Championship preparations sees the Lilywhites entertain Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United at Deepdale.

The game, organised at short notice after the appointment of Bruce into the St James’s Park hot seat, will see him take charge of the Magpies for the first time in England at Deepdale, in this 3pm kick-off.

Following Friday’s clash with Fleetwood Town, the remaining members of the squad not involved at Highbury are likely to start against the Premier League side, with their final chance to impress the manager in competitive action ahead of the season opener at Millwall next weekend.


The squad have come through pre-season to this point with no significant injury problems and therefore the manager will have a number of questions ahead of the trip to The Den and players could cement a place in the starting XI with a good display against the north east outfit.

Brad Potts and Darnell Fisher had been a little behind in terms of match minutes, but the latter got a first start on Friday evening and the former is likely to see more action on Saturday. David Nugent also got his first run out since his return at Fleetwood meaning he could push for some involvement against Neil Harris’ side.

The match official will be EFL referee Michael Salisbury, with the assistants of Ian Hussin and Connor Brown, whilst fellow EFL referee Graham Salisbury the fourth official – it will be Michael’s first game in charge of a game at Deepdale.