25-05-2015, 13:57
Well after watching for 46 years finally get to see my team win promotion and actually being there at the same time, should have seen them go up three weeks ago but the wait was worth it in the end
A quite surreal afternoon though at the national stadium, never in a million years did I think we would be 3 up at half time against a more than decent Swindon side, although it is has to be said that as good as they were going forward the Robins were utterly clueless at the back.
After a long delay mainly due to Sky Sports wanting to get their Premiership coverage finished, North End flew out of the blocks taking the lead in the third minute, Gallagher floated in a free kick Beckford fired home from 6 yards holding off the shirt tugging attention of Thompson to score. It was Thompson's last action as he was carried off after landing awkwardly.
Ten minutes later it was two after Gallagher again supplied the cross this time Huntington managed to ghost in a la Martin Peters too double the lead. Absolute dream start for North End.
Swindon unsurprisingly were rocked and it took them a while to settle but when they did they began to pass the ball well without really looking threatening. The Robins pushed and probed but North End stuck to the plan that worked in the league game a month earlier.
Stephens nearly brought the Robins back into the game with a long mazy run but his shot was deflected narrowly wide.
Just before half time came a pivotal moment the impressive Byrne managed to put over a pinpoint cross, Smith should have scored he didn't. From the resultant goal kick, Garner's header feel at the feet of Beckford, he turned one way then the other then curled a left footed beauty past the despairing dive of Foderingham. Three up absolute heaven.
Would Swindon make the greatest recovery in the history of the game, well no, within a minute of the start of the second half Beckford escaped past the non existant back line but his shot was saved by Foderingham. Didn't matter 10 minutes later after tigerish work by Johnson the ball fell to Beckford again similar scenario this time he scored, completed his hat trick and made it 4-0. All that was left was to bide out time to the final whistle and promotion. Davies could have scored to make it five but could not quite reach a Garner header. Credit to Swindon they kept on going and late in the game the underworked Johnstone had to make two fine saves from Turnbill and Obika.
Cue the final whistle delirium in the North End end, and workforce cleaning up the litter in the Swindon end. The marathon has come to an end and we can all now concentrate on the summer apart from Mr Grayson who has much work to do this summer. 13 players out of contract and some quality replacements to be brought in if we are to make inroads in the Championship.
A top day out although at 21 hours a long one. Finally have to say exceptionally well organised trip by the club and also fantastic organisation at Wembley by the staff there.
Thank you League 1 we were only loan only, a 4 year loan at that but next August it is the Championship. GET IN
Preston North End 4 Swindon Town 0 Att 48236
A quite surreal afternoon though at the national stadium, never in a million years did I think we would be 3 up at half time against a more than decent Swindon side, although it is has to be said that as good as they were going forward the Robins were utterly clueless at the back.
After a long delay mainly due to Sky Sports wanting to get their Premiership coverage finished, North End flew out of the blocks taking the lead in the third minute, Gallagher floated in a free kick Beckford fired home from 6 yards holding off the shirt tugging attention of Thompson to score. It was Thompson's last action as he was carried off after landing awkwardly.
Ten minutes later it was two after Gallagher again supplied the cross this time Huntington managed to ghost in a la Martin Peters too double the lead. Absolute dream start for North End.
Swindon unsurprisingly were rocked and it took them a while to settle but when they did they began to pass the ball well without really looking threatening. The Robins pushed and probed but North End stuck to the plan that worked in the league game a month earlier.
Stephens nearly brought the Robins back into the game with a long mazy run but his shot was deflected narrowly wide.
Just before half time came a pivotal moment the impressive Byrne managed to put over a pinpoint cross, Smith should have scored he didn't. From the resultant goal kick, Garner's header feel at the feet of Beckford, he turned one way then the other then curled a left footed beauty past the despairing dive of Foderingham. Three up absolute heaven.
Would Swindon make the greatest recovery in the history of the game, well no, within a minute of the start of the second half Beckford escaped past the non existant back line but his shot was saved by Foderingham. Didn't matter 10 minutes later after tigerish work by Johnson the ball fell to Beckford again similar scenario this time he scored, completed his hat trick and made it 4-0. All that was left was to bide out time to the final whistle and promotion. Davies could have scored to make it five but could not quite reach a Garner header. Credit to Swindon they kept on going and late in the game the underworked Johnstone had to make two fine saves from Turnbill and Obika.
Cue the final whistle delirium in the North End end, and workforce cleaning up the litter in the Swindon end. The marathon has come to an end and we can all now concentrate on the summer apart from Mr Grayson who has much work to do this summer. 13 players out of contract and some quality replacements to be brought in if we are to make inroads in the Championship.
A top day out although at 21 hours a long one. Finally have to say exceptionally well organised trip by the club and also fantastic organisation at Wembley by the staff there.
Thank you League 1 we were only loan only, a 4 year loan at that but next August it is the Championship. GET IN
Preston North End 4 Swindon Town 0 Att 48236
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