Well didn't think I would be doing another match day thread however after yesterday's events in Essex here it is. Off to Derbyshire on General Election day whilst the country will be involved in choosing the next Government, North End and Chesterfield will be battling it out to have Bank holiday Sunday at Wembley. Finished a good few points ahead of the Spireites but that counts for nothing in the play offs. The home side will fancy this one after our collapse yesterday. Grayson will need to work miracles to lift the mood of the squad, but hopefully the players may realise that 3000 were let down yesterday and try to make amends. No idea how it will pan out, we should be favourites to go through but this is North End we are talking about.
A traditional play off tie, not pretty at times a battle which North End won by an early Jermaine Beckford goal, to be fair North End rode their luck however has to be said Chesterfield had some good chances but wasted the lot. Chesterfield had the star performer in Gary Roberts although he may have been lucky to stay on the pitch after elbowing John Welsh in the face, it wasn't seen by the referee. The home side could have also lost Ryan to a red card after another elbow in Gallagher's face but these games always produce moments of red mist. Was a dream start by North End on the front foot straight away, Humphreys cross founds it's way to Beckford who advanced on goal before cooly chipping the ball past Lee. Have to say credit to the referee who played a great advantage in the build up to the goal. With the home side struggling Garner went narrowly wide from about 20 yards. From then on in Chesterfield started to take control, North End started to drop deeper giving the home side plenty of space in which Roberts started to excel in. The home side started to get shots in on goal Johnstone dealt with them all. First handbags action came just before half time as Roberts tried to strangle Gallagher which is not quite within the laws of the game. Ryan should have walked early but got booked along with Gallagher who was booked for being elbowed in the face. Roberts then went on a mazy run firing narrowly wide and another shot which was well saved by Johnstone, however as play became stretche North End started to get their own chances but failed to take them. Interestingly poised this one, a thoroughly compelling game last night still all too play for. Chesterfield 0 Preston North End 1 Att 8400
