16-12-2015, 17:04
One point won rather than two points lost in last nights draw against Birmingham City in front of 10600, although a disappointing gate mitigating factor it is getting close to Christmas and to go to games is not cheap.
A very quiet firs half played in an atmosphere that you would get in a pre season friendly. Little of interest until Reach put the home side in the lead with a cross from the right which confused everyone including Blues keeper Kuszczak and ended up in the left hand corner of the net. The goal lifted the home side although truth be told the passing was woeful last night.
Eardley fired a shot just over the top as the Blues started to get a toe hold in the game. Just before half time they really should have been level when Gray was through on goal but missed the chance although the opening came from a strange refereeing decision.
Birmingham made a change at half time Toral coming on to act as an extra striker, he made a difference as Birmingham dominated however they could not put the ball in the net all down to the outstanding goalkeeping of Jordan Pickford, Gray was denied by a one handed save, The Blues then hit the bar before Pickford pulled off a fantastic left handed save which brought a corner. The leveller came from the corner and harsh to save Pickford could possibly be at fault for it but Cunningham also gets the blame for being behind the line when Morrison's header just crossed the line.
It was no more than the Blues deserved.
It was end to end stuff with Birmingham looking more likely to score, North End struggle to get past the back line of the visitors and often chose the wrong option when passing.
Three more Pickford saves, plus two mises by Toral and a shot by Grounds which should have hit the target. North End nearly blew the point in the last minute when the defence was all over the place and Gray had the chance to win it with a one on one with Pickford, his shot went harmlessly wide.
Unsurprisingly Pickford got man of the match an amazing display by the keeper.
Preston North End 1 Birmingham City 1 Att 10668
Preston boss Simon Grayson: "Jordan was the first to apologise for the goal because he's come for it and missed it completely.
"We forgive him for that because he kept us in the game anyway. It shows he's got high standards for himself.
"The lad's got a bright future wherever he's going to be. We're just happy to have him and help with his development."
Birmingham manager Gary Rowett:
"We conceded a very poor goal which we should have dealt with much better, but our goalkeeper has maybe made one save.
"We have had five one-on-ones, hit the bar, hit the post and their keeper has made three or four unbelievable saves.
"For the home keeper to get the man-of-the-match award tells you we should have won comfortably. We should have won tonight and a couple more games with those chances."
A very quiet firs half played in an atmosphere that you would get in a pre season friendly. Little of interest until Reach put the home side in the lead with a cross from the right which confused everyone including Blues keeper Kuszczak and ended up in the left hand corner of the net. The goal lifted the home side although truth be told the passing was woeful last night.
Eardley fired a shot just over the top as the Blues started to get a toe hold in the game. Just before half time they really should have been level when Gray was through on goal but missed the chance although the opening came from a strange refereeing decision.
Birmingham made a change at half time Toral coming on to act as an extra striker, he made a difference as Birmingham dominated however they could not put the ball in the net all down to the outstanding goalkeeping of Jordan Pickford, Gray was denied by a one handed save, The Blues then hit the bar before Pickford pulled off a fantastic left handed save which brought a corner. The leveller came from the corner and harsh to save Pickford could possibly be at fault for it but Cunningham also gets the blame for being behind the line when Morrison's header just crossed the line.
It was no more than the Blues deserved.
It was end to end stuff with Birmingham looking more likely to score, North End struggle to get past the back line of the visitors and often chose the wrong option when passing.
Three more Pickford saves, plus two mises by Toral and a shot by Grounds which should have hit the target. North End nearly blew the point in the last minute when the defence was all over the place and Gray had the chance to win it with a one on one with Pickford, his shot went harmlessly wide.
Unsurprisingly Pickford got man of the match an amazing display by the keeper.
Preston North End 1 Birmingham City 1 Att 10668
Preston boss Simon Grayson: "Jordan was the first to apologise for the goal because he's come for it and missed it completely.
"We forgive him for that because he kept us in the game anyway. It shows he's got high standards for himself.
"The lad's got a bright future wherever he's going to be. We're just happy to have him and help with his development."
Birmingham manager Gary Rowett:
"We conceded a very poor goal which we should have dealt with much better, but our goalkeeper has maybe made one save.
"We have had five one-on-ones, hit the bar, hit the post and their keeper has made three or four unbelievable saves.
"For the home keeper to get the man-of-the-match award tells you we should have won comfortably. We should have won tonight and a couple more games with those chances."
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People got to shout to stay alive
People got to shout to stay alive