The first round of the FA Cup brings Edgar Davids to Deepdale with his Barnet side, or may not do as Davids tends to miss Northern away league game, a bizarre arrangement if you ask me. Having been relegated from the league last season, they have made a solid start in the Skrill Premier league this season, they got through to the first round by beating Concord Wanderers 3-0. Not many well known names in the squad, Stack, Marsh-Brown and ex Plymouth manager Carl Fletcher who has recently just signed for them. One thing is for certain they will pass the ball about cannot see them humping it forward unlike us at times. Given Grayson was less than pleased with last Saturday's performance, expect to see a strong team out on the pitch for the kick off, professional performance and we should win this.
In the end it was a comprehensive victory for Preston over a spirited Barnet side who did not throw in the towel even though losing 6-0, in truth the contest was over after Keanu Marsh-Brown sending off in the 15th minutes, his lunge on North End's Scot Laird led to a straight red card from referee Mr Joyce, it was a pity really because the Bees had started brightly. Within 3 minutes of the sending off North End were ahead, Lee Holmes' perfect cross found Clarke at the back post, simple header.(1-0) Barnet had a sneak of a chance but a super tackle from Huntington prevented what would have been a surprise equaliser. North End were finding acres of space and it was no surprise that they increased their lead before half time. A cross from the left by Laird saw Garner drift between the two giant Barnet defenders to guide his header past Stack.(2-0) The tie was wrapped up on half time when a fine team move led to Gallagher placing his shot past Stack. Holmes started the second half by hitting the bar witha free kick, however following a leate challenge by Beavon on Yiadom, Mr Joyce showed the red card again and now both sides had 10. Barnet smelt a chance of getting back into the game with substitute Crawford bringing a save from Rudd in the home goal, but North End soon scored a fourth to end any doubts that the home support may have had. Holmes down the right, crossed into Gallagher's feet, he didn't miss, he only had to wait another 10 minutes for his hat trick blasting the ball past Stack with the Bees defence nowhere to be seen. Garner made it 6 following a quick free kick. Job done. A word finally about Edgar Davids, Barnet's 40 year old player manager barely wasted a ball all afternoon and worked his socks off trying to help his team, no more when Garner went on a mazy run, he was only stopped from scoring by the Dutchman, 15 seconds later he was setting up an attack down the other end, he must have been some player when he was younger. Preston North End 6 Barnet 0 Att 5217 and they used a pink ball
