It's FA Cup time the Glovers arrive for the 2nd time at Deepdale in 6 weeks hoping for revenge after a 3-2 defeat in the league game. Once upon a time the magic of the cup was there for all too see playing the likes of Telford, Kidderminster, Blyth Spartans, Bishop Auckland, Whitley Bay, Chorley and not forgetting Shepshed Charterhouse as they were called in those days. We've had Southend and Yeovil in the last two years doesn't exactly set the pulses racing. Saturday Westley will make a stack of changes after all we have a real cup final on Tuesday against our big rivals Carlisle. We may win, lose or draw on Saturday but you can bet you're life they will not be many on watching
This does not make financial sense for small clubs. Yeovil coming all the way to the North West in the first round of the FA Cup. Why cannot the first rounds of the FA cup be regional? How many will be at Deepdale, perhaps 5k? I should imagine both clubs will run this match at a financiaal loss.
The 4700 who made the effort didn't see a classic as Preston beat Yeovil 3-0 in the FA Cup First round at a decidedly chilly Deepdale today, two goals just before the break and another mid way through the second half saw the home side into the second round draw at lunchtime tomorrow. North End started well although the early injury to Cansdell-Sherriff disrupted the balance of the side. The lively Marsh-Brown had already caused panic in the home defence causing Sherriff's hamstring to go twang whilst in pursuit of the speedy winger. Madden had two glorious chances to put the visitors ahead, the first firing narrowly wide of the post, whilst the second should have been buried, as the home defence left the ball to each other Madden could on fire tamely wide. It was a costly miss. In the space of three minutes North End scored twice, both goals were similar dfence splitting pass into the old inside left position, the first slotted home by Byrom under keeper Stech's body and the second scored by Amoo who calmly took the ball round the keeper and passed the ball into the net. Yeovil came back into the game although a tackle by Marsh-Brown on Wroe should have led to a red card, he got yellow. On the brink of half time some brilliant defending by both Laird and Huntington on the goal line stopped the visitors from getting a goal back. Yeovil needed to score early in the second half, they started well but the only thing they got for their early efforts was a red card for Upson. He clattered through the back of Wroe and got first use of the shower. He also was sent off in the league game 5 weeks previously. Yeovil, fought valiantly substitute Reid causing a few problems, but when Robertson headed home Laird's pinpoint corner with twenty minutes to go, it was game, set and match to the home side. There was still plenty of time for Madden to miss an absolute sitter for the visitors although Simonsen did make a good save, North End should have had more goals but a place in the 2nd round had already been obtained. Harrogate Town at home would do nicely. Preston North End 3 Yeovil Town 0 Att 4737
It does seem to have been a poor performance except for some exceptionally good defending & 3 very good moves that led to goals. Saw the highlights on ITV player (compared with BBC's iplayer it is a bit crude: it stops every few seconds to download). 3 well taken goals. I do feel sorry for the Yeovil supporters & club. All that way for a meagre sum. Of course, that would be of no concern for the powers behind the FA. One could say that these clubs are financing the first two rounds of the FA cup. One B'pool supporter posted on the LEP commenting on the low turn out, but it remains to see that now with Holloway gone how many will turn up to Bloomfield Road & how many loanees will want to return to their clubs.
