Ho ho ho, tis the season to be jolly unless your AVB, four games in in two weeks, and yours truly will be at all of them, personally think it's time they brought back fixtures on Christmas Day, only way to avoid eating too much, drinking copious amounts of booze and watching meaningless poop on television. First of the Christmas games is a tasty little offering against Brentford, they are powering along at the moment, five wins in the last six games, they are a very useful side, previous manager Rosler has borrowed well with penalty misser Trotta and Saville from Chelsea in midfield, ex North Ender McCormack is useful at the level as is Jonathan Douglas although he is more likely to hack someone down in mid flow and break their leg as he did to Ormerod in the play off semi when we used to be really good. Interesting to see how they cope with the loss of Rosler, as with most Southern sides, they play with a mass defence, try to catch us on the break, waste time and fake injuries bit like Crewe did. Garner back from suspension no major injury worries, should be a decent game.
It is customary at Christmas too give gifts to friends and family not guests who rock up once a year. Brentford were the beneficiaries of North Ends generosity as they duly beat the home side 3-0 though in fairness to them the better side did win.(Sadly) A very even first 20 minutes with both sides playing some excellent football, Brentford had had once chance which Donaldson should really had scored with. Then came the first gift from Santa, Donaldson chased a ball towards the by line, hurtling of his goal came Rudd, he lunged for the ball got the man, it was in the area and it was a clear penalty. Forshaw sent Rudd the wrong way. (0-1) Within 3 minutes it was two, Forshaw this time was denied by Rudd however picked up the rebound and passed to the better placed Trotta who squeezed the ball home. (0-2) North End were rocking and probably did well to get too half time only two down. A double substitution gave the home side a boost and within 10 minutes the home side were given a great chance to get back in the game when Garner was fouled in the area. Garner took the kick but the giant Button guessed right and saved the kick. North End's last chance to salvage something but Davies's header from a close range went wide rather than in. From then on in there was more chance of Malky Mackay being manager of Cardiff this time tomorrow than any points for the home side. Brentford knew they were home and dry and began to pass the ball around making the home side chase shadows. It was only a matter of time until they scored against following some haphazard passing by North End, Saunder had a lot to do when he got the ball at his feet with his back to goal, no problem flicked the ball up and smashed the ball past Rudd into the net, quality finish. (0-3) They could have had more Dean went close with a header but the three they got was enough. Preston North End 0 Brentford 3 Att 10332 David Coleman RIP spent much of my sporting life listening to Mr Coleman, thanks for the memories.