Match Day Thread Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion Deepdale 29/9/2018

This is one of those games when the fixtures come out in June that you look forward getting to test our wits against a decent ex Premiership club, all being well it would have been a game between two sides vying for promotion however in our case it's gone a bit tits up at moment, with our ever so creaky and ponderous defence we line up against a forward line which can be said to be rather free scoring and with pace to burn, with players like Gayle, ex Dingle Rodriguez and speed loanee Barnes this possibly be a one sided encounter however it's probably a good game because we will probably be expected to lose so basically can have a real go at them.
Albion under Darren Moore have started well apart from an early game mauling against Notlob and are starting to look a real candidate for an early return to the top division. The likeable Moore nicknamed Bruno (pictured below) has steadied the ship at the

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Hawthorns following a period of direness under Messers Pulis and Pardew. He was appointed just a bit too late to save them last season but come May they may be back in the top division. Keeping hold of some of their better players also helped.
Moore has fond memories of Deepdale having played for Torquay in a play off semi 25 years ago, he will no doubt wander to the spot near the home dugout and think to himself I twatted Paul Rayner here before receiving his red card which led to us going through after extra time.
Manager Alex Neil considers we are getting nearer to having his first choice side vailable bit late mnd as it is October next week, as usual first goal will be crucial sadly though think the Baggies will get more than us.



Ref Watch: West Bromwich Albion

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It’s a second game of the season for Tony Harrington taking charge of a North End game on Saturday, having officiated the 2-0 cup win at Leeds back in August.
Tony has been a familiar face over recent seasons. Last season he visited Deepdale twice, the Lilywhites’ opening day 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in Alex Neil’s first competitive game in charge of the club, and our Bank Holiday Monday clash with Derby County.

The previous season he also took charge of two North End games, the 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest and the thrilling 4-2 win over Brentford at Deepdale.
The match official, who is now in his eighth year on the EFL list, has also been to PR1 on a number of previous occasions in the past, including the 2014/15 penalty win against Oldham Athletic in the JPT and the club’s last two home league games against Notts County, including a 2-0 win over the Magpies at Deepdale in February 2014.

This will be the Cleveland referee’s seventh game of the season, having refereed opponents West Bromwich Albion’s 7-1 home win over Queens Park Rangers and so far he had issued 19 cautions and one red card; to Ryan Ledson at Elland Road.

He will be joined by assistants Tim Wood and John Flynn, whilst Mark Heywood will be the fourth official.

 

Nothing like upsetting the apple cart, heh? It will be a good game if NE can plug the gaps at the back. Pearson is back which is a plus and so is Darnell Fisher and Davis. According to some reports, Clarke is running out of steam but it does seem that lately many at the back and midfield are also lacking puff. Last year, NE went through a dreadful run of losses due to injuries and suspensions but fought back credibly.If NE had a dead cert 20 goals a year striker the weight would be taken off the defence. The current attack have to learn to strike the ball either slightly East or West of the goalie, not straight at him.

 

Preston North End 2 Hughes Browne West Bromwich Albion 3 Rodriguez, Davies og Gayle

PNE line-up: Maxwell, Storey, Huntington (c), Davies, Fisher (Harrop, 89), Pearson, Ledson, Hughes, Browne, Robinson (Barkhuizen, 53), Barker (Moult, 77). Subs not used: Rudd, Earl, Clarke, Harrop, Johnson.

West Bromwich Albion line-up: Johnstone, Gibbs, Bartley, Livermore (c), Mears, Barnes (Robson-Kanu, 72), Gayle, Barry (Brunt, 72), Rodriguez, Dawson, Hegazi. Subs not used: Myhill, Edwards, Hoolahan, Adarabioyo, Field.

Attendance: 14,099 (3,192 WBA fans)

Referee: Mr T Harrington

To be fair to Albion they probably did deserve the win, had morev quality on the ball than we did and possessed more of a goal hreat than us although the killer goal in this game came just after we had drawn level when Davies got his header all wrong and the ball looped over Maxwell to give Albion the lead for the second time in the game and in truth they were not going to blow it from there.
A first half were we set our stall out to play on the counter could have had thee goals in the first 15 minutes Bartley was denied with a header from three yards by a wonderful reflex save by Maxwell.
Then the rather average defender Hegazi gifted Noth End a corner, which led to Ledson hitting the post, before Rodriguez was denied at the other end by a combination of Davies and Maxwell.
For the irst time in a long while North End actually pressed opposition players on the ball however when we had the ball at times it was an aimless punt to the non existant big forward we don't have, level at half time and the home support in the Town End had appreciated the effort by clapping them off.

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Optism soon disappeared as Rodriguex headed in a cross from the right, we alswo lost Robinson early on as well which meant our goal threat had gone.
Albion looked in control and showed that keeping most of the players that played in the top division will be shrewd business we possibly could have had a penalty when Browne seemed to be fouled but about 20 minutes from the end glory be we are level and direct from a free kick after Barhuizen was brought down. Friend said to me Hughes won't take this, he did and scored although might be questions asked on Albion's keeper Johnstone.
Achilles heel time within two minutes Davies og, then Gayle was denied by a fantastic last ditch tackle by Storey, before direct from a free kick of their own Gayle potted past Maxwell.
Deep into injury time Browne headed home after good work by Harrop.
Still bottom next up Villa if we can tighten up at the back a big ask I know we could possibly heap some more misery on Steve Bruce.

West Brom manager Darren Moore told BBC WM 95.6:

"A win in this league on the road is always good. I thought we were worthy winners today."

"I thought we found a way to win the game today, we maybe made it a little nervy for ourselves towards the end and just needed to show some more urgency on the ball.

"But, I always felt as the away team we were in control of the game. I'm delighted with the three points."

 

Apple carts intact, then!