A trip to the end of the M65 well almost for North End means they have a local derby at the Turf against those six fingered and toed Dingles. Those travelling another 2000 will also find that they will travel back several centuries to a town that time forgot. They still burn witches and marry their relatives and sing about not playing Blackburn Rovers no more, even though both sides are in the same division. Having been relegated from the top division, the Clarets are handily placed to make a swift return to the top division although having seen them several time on television this season, they do not look like automatic more play off material this season. They are solid rather than spectacular and rely on the goals of Andre Gray who cost an eye watering £6 million. They have a decent team with Heaton one of the better keepers in the league. Throw into the mix Barton, Boyd with Duff and Keane at the back this lot are no mugs. Last time out they scored a rather fortunate late leveller at Cardiff, they have drawn the last three and are unbeaten in five. Last time at the Turf in the league we lost 4-3 after being 3-1 up although we had Jones sent off for time wasting by Kevin Friend who coincidently casts his gloomy presence at the Turf again this Saturday, so that will diminish our chances of getting anything even further. Squad wise May and Beckford long term, Wright still suspended otherwise should have a full strength side to pick from. Don't think we'll get anything from this game but you can only hope.
Nothing like a bit of Claret, on what is becoming a typical North End away performance Noth End came away from Turf Moor on a sodden afternoon with three points after beating Burnley by 2-0. Straight from kick off the home side whipped up their own storm pinning North End back in their own half for the best part of 15 minutes. They forced several corners and Mee went close from the left side of the box. After about 10 minutes an enormous polythene bag blew across the Burnley penalty area and was by a country mile the away sides best player in the opening period. Slowly the yellows got into the game but the home side still dominated using the pace of Gray and the conditions perfectly, more corners rained in on the away but by North End survived just. However at the other end Clarke had a goal bound effort blocked and Browne was also unlucky with a shot that was also blocked. Towards half time the Clarets upped the pressure and had two glorious chances to take the lead first Gray escaped down the right and fed Barton who should have scored by slipped at the crucial moment and then Arnfield! fired in a goal bound rocket which produced a super one handed save by Pickford the ball fired upwards and was cleared to safety. North End started the better in the second half and had two early efforts blocked , but it was soon the Clarets on the attack and then the first of two big calls from Mr Friend. Vermijl committed what looked like a second bookable offence however Mr Friend was lenient having him one more chance. The Clarets would be less than impressed when a North End took the lead, Keane picked up the ball in the centre circle adavanced through the Burnley half and just kept on going, he was forced to the right but fired in a shot which zipped it's way past Heaton. Ecstasy in the away end. Then Mr Friend's second major intervention Barton who was hours late in tackling Clarke should have also walked but again far play to the referee he tried to keep the game 11 a side. Burnley pressed a strong Gray shot was inches wide, Barton's free kick was well saved by Pickford and after some iffy North End defending Vokes shot was easily saved. Then with time running out the second, the ball was played down the left wing Garner got the ball and advanced into the area got to the byline before squaring the ball to Johnson who didn't miss more celebration in the away end and emptying seats in the home end. No scares for North End and three points in the land of the Claret. Burnley 0 Preston North End 2 Att 18600 Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "You can only deserve a game if the final outcome is that you win, but we have certainly done enough to win. "Their goalkeeper is man of the match, which is always a sign that you have been productive, but we have got to punish teams. "I must make it clear that we had more than enough chances to take care of business ourselves. "I am disappointed by the outcome, not the performance. If we keep creating that many chances on a weekly basis we will win lots of football matches." Preston North End manager Simon Grayson: "The Championship is relentless. You can't think you have achieved anything by a couple of victories here and there but it gives us a platform. "It is a big win for us, and winning a local derby match obviously adds extra significance to it. We had to defend and our goalkeeper had to make a really good save, but that defines matches. "We felt over the last few weeks that performances have been very good and results were just around the corner in terms of turning draws into wins, so we are delighted."
The second goal showed the value of JG. He may be struggling to hit a barn door from 10 paces, but his teamwork is exemplary.
