Tuesday 15th July, Chorley v Preston North End â kick-off 7pm, Victory Park Saturday 19th July, Preston North End v Liverpool â kick-off 3pm, Deepdale Tuesday 22nd July, Bamber Bridge v Preston North End â kick-off 7pm, Sir Tom Finney Stadium Wednesday 23rd July, Halifax Town v Preston North End â kick-off 7.30pm, The Shay Stadium Friday 25th July, Morecambe v Preston North End â kick-off 7.30pm, The Globe Arena Tuesday 29th July, Preston North End v Burnley, kick-off 7.45pm, Deepdale Saturday 2nd August, Preston North End v Leicester City, kick-off 3pm, Deepdale
First up Chorley at Victory Park for the world famous Jack Kirkland trophy. The first major silverware of the 2014-15 will be decided tomorrow night, North End looking to hold onto the trophy for the 10th time in the last 11 years. Only a draw under medal winner Westley has stopped an impressive 11 out of 11. Over recent years Chorley have slowly worked their way up the league pyramid and are now in the Conference North having won the Evo Stick Premier last season. Probably will be a mix and match game with countless subs for both sides. It usually a good work out against the Magpies, we should win but it's all about fitness(honest)
The first silverware of the season was won by a North End side who toyed with Chorley last night. Giving them a two goal start North End duly scored three through Laird, Garner and Little. The first of many victories as North End stroll to promotion glory next May. How long can we remain unbeaten at least until Saturday when we play Liverpool.
Not gog BT Sport. Refuse to have Sky on principle. L'pool will have a second 11 but quite a few former internationals e.g. Lucas. So it should be a good run out for PNE. On LEP Laird writes that he still has nightmares of marking Coutinho last season. As they say 'you improve by playing against better players than you!'
Next on the list Liverpool, would not expect any regular first teamers to be playing for the Anfield side, but we will still get a decent size gate on the day. Looks like this is going to a regular friendly between the two clubs, hopefully we'll get closer than we did last season when we didn't touch the ball for the first 60 minutes. It will be warm and I won't be there.
Better than last year only lost 2-1 with Brownhill getting the goal, both sides changed line ups at half time. Liverpool had a very strong line up in the first half and retained the Shankly Shield as they will do for ever.
Back on the road again on Tuesday all of four miles to Bamber Bridge to play at the Sir Tom Finney stadium (previously known as Irongate). The word stadium is slightly ironic if you've ever been on the ground. You can fart the ball over the stand into the adjoining wood yard. They also have mammoth nets on one side of the ground to stop the neighbouring houses getting a blasting from errant footballs. In 1996 the Czech republic played a game against the home side in a warm up for the Euro Championships, unsurprisingly they won 9-1. Bridge also used to play a side in the Lancashire Evening Post Sunday League known as Bamber Bridge Band Club, always enjoyed the kicking we got from them amazingly we beat them once as well 1-0 which was doubly enjoyable. As per usual mix and match side as we play three friendlies this week, will win although they always give us a tough game.
A 2-0 win over Bamber Bridge with goals from Hugill and a Brownhill penalty, we put out a fairly young side but it's a win. Tonight we head over the Pennines to play Halifax at the Shay. Fax had a fantastic season last year and came within a gnat's nadger of making it back to the Football League, losing n the play off semis to eventual winners Cambridge United. Been to the Shay a few times, friendly lot, they used to lob Molotov Cocktails at us from the bus station at one end of the ground, also seem to remember a North Ender also being hit by a ball and chain in the late 80's. Not be there tonight but Morecambe on Friday will be seasonal debut.
A 2-1 win at Halifax with Brownhill getting his third goal in 3 matches the other came from Little. Sounded a bit jaded in the second half not surprisingly given the heat. Day off Morecambe tomorrow night, it will be my seasonal debut.
Preston duly beat Morecambe 2-1 at the Globe arena, the match being played in sweltering temperatures. An entertaining first half with just the right amount of niggle to keep it interesting saw the home side begin brightly with Redshaw missing a glaring hance in the 7th minute running past most of the North End defence before over running the ball. More Morecambe pressure before North End broke away and scored, Browne brushing past a tackle in midfield feeding Hayhurst on the right whose inch perfect cross was nodded home by Garner. (0-1) The next few minutes North End could have added to the total, Gallagher and Garner both going close. Substitutions a plenty at half time made the game disjointed, the home side drew level through Williams. His 35 yard free kick dipped and swerved deceiving Stuchmann in the North End goal. (1-1) Morecambe really should have been in front but Ellison, Drummond and Redshaw all missed good chances. With the sun dipping below Broughton Fell near Barrow North End got the winner, Davies' canny pass saw Keane clear and he lobbed keeper Aristidou to claim the victory. Not a lot to really go on except the sun tan was enhanced. Morecambe 1 Preston North End 2 Att 1364
Burnley came, saw and duly lost to North End with both the midfields young whipper snappers scoring, Browne with the first and Brownhill with a 35 yard free kick in the last minute. Looking good at the moment.
Sorry to intrude but if anyone is interested in joining let me know http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/271384-Question Would be good to have some Other L1 fans involved
The last friendly before the season starts is against Championship winners Leicester, with their host of ex North Enders this will be a good warm up before Notts County arrive next week for the promotion run in. Almost time.
A 1-1 draw against the Foxes brings to an end the match preparation, season starts for real next Saturday. Clarke scored with a header.
Now for the real stuff. I see NE are 7 - 1 second favourites to win promotion. Also, I believe that the number 17 shirt is vacant...and May wears 17 but it would seems as though NE need to offload at least a couple more players first before recruiting May...should he want to come.
