14-09-2016, 15:26
The manager knows best , reverting to the best formula of the lot 442, Grayson's team duly turned in a much more effective performance defeating a Cardiff side who were virtually beaten by half time, although give them credit, they were better in the second half with the introduction of Whittingham and Noone.
On a thundery old night, with lightening rolling around the skies for the majority of the match, it was the visitors who nearly opened the scoring when Pilkington forced Lindegaard into a good save in the opening minutes when Gallagher's pass found a red shirt instead of a white one(a familiar theme throughout the night for Gally) that was the closest they came in the opening 45 apart from another straight forward save from Pilkington.
North End dominated with Robinson causing havoc down the left, Doyle had an effort blocked as was the follow up, Gallagher had a free kick saved by Wilson who possibly got a shade lucky when he spilled a later effort from Browne?. But not to be denied North End deservedly took the lead 9 minutes from half time, sad to say the Wilson was at fault following a couple of corners the ball was cleared to Vermijl who crossed the ball to the edge of the six yards area, Wilson want wandering lost the ball to Clarke who turned and put the ball high into the net. Within five minutes it was two Robinson got away down the left nobody closed him down and fired across Wilson to double the lead.
Unused to this sort of a lead at home had to check the television in the bar area to see if the score was correct.
Gallagher clipped the top of the bar from a free kick early in the second half but it was Cardiff who then began to dominate, Noone brought a good save out of Lindegaard, whilst Pilkington again was denied twice by the keeper. Whittingham floated in a series of quality corners which caused problems but with Baptiste and Clarke both in outstanding form there was no way through for the red shirted Welshmen. Mystery why Whittingham did not start personally think he is a quality player.
North End weathered the storm on the pitch whilst the one in the sky continued on it's merry way, Browne went close, Cumnningham brought a good save from Wilson and Robinson looked to have scored but it was the wrong side of the net.
Not to worry though the third come with four minutes to go, Cunningham received a dreadful pass in his own area, skilfully avoiding danger advanced down the pitch passing to Hugill who then advanced towards goal before curling the ball past Wilson into the top right corner. Job done, Peltier dribbled an effort past the post and that was the last scare for North End.
Good team performance astated Clarke, Baptiste excellent, Robinson good in first half but Hugill had a quietly but effective display.
On that showing the Bluebirds are going to struggle mind you so may we.
First home win since February and the first time we have scored three at home since beating Chesterfield in the league 1 play off semi in May 2015.
Preston North End 3 Cardiff City 0 att 9216(215 Cardiff)
Preston manager Simon Grayson: "I'm really pleased, you can't fault anything that we've done.
"It's an addition to how we played in the second half against Barnsley, we carried that forward. We've spoken about it a lot with the players and watched it again a couple of times and kept on telling them to believe that what they're doing is the right thing.
"Nobody's happy with the start we've had. There have been frustrations for everybody, but we've known what we've been trying to do.
Cardiff City boss Paul Trollope: "It was absolutely our worst performance of the season, especially in the first period. We lacked a lot of things with and without the ball.
"As normal, the team were fully prepared and ready for the challenge ahead and we didn't get anywhere near the level that we want and expect.
"We didn't have the basics in place in terms of defensive responsibility, defensive desire, so for those two things not to come together in the first period was very disappointing.
"Apologies to the travelling supporters because they've travelled a long way on a Tuesday night and they've seen a performance that was unacceptable."
On a thundery old night, with lightening rolling around the skies for the majority of the match, it was the visitors who nearly opened the scoring when Pilkington forced Lindegaard into a good save in the opening minutes when Gallagher's pass found a red shirt instead of a white one(a familiar theme throughout the night for Gally) that was the closest they came in the opening 45 apart from another straight forward save from Pilkington.
North End dominated with Robinson causing havoc down the left, Doyle had an effort blocked as was the follow up, Gallagher had a free kick saved by Wilson who possibly got a shade lucky when he spilled a later effort from Browne?. But not to be denied North End deservedly took the lead 9 minutes from half time, sad to say the Wilson was at fault following a couple of corners the ball was cleared to Vermijl who crossed the ball to the edge of the six yards area, Wilson want wandering lost the ball to Clarke who turned and put the ball high into the net. Within five minutes it was two Robinson got away down the left nobody closed him down and fired across Wilson to double the lead.
Unused to this sort of a lead at home had to check the television in the bar area to see if the score was correct.
Gallagher clipped the top of the bar from a free kick early in the second half but it was Cardiff who then began to dominate, Noone brought a good save out of Lindegaard, whilst Pilkington again was denied twice by the keeper. Whittingham floated in a series of quality corners which caused problems but with Baptiste and Clarke both in outstanding form there was no way through for the red shirted Welshmen. Mystery why Whittingham did not start personally think he is a quality player.
North End weathered the storm on the pitch whilst the one in the sky continued on it's merry way, Browne went close, Cumnningham brought a good save from Wilson and Robinson looked to have scored but it was the wrong side of the net.
Not to worry though the third come with four minutes to go, Cunningham received a dreadful pass in his own area, skilfully avoiding danger advanced down the pitch passing to Hugill who then advanced towards goal before curling the ball past Wilson into the top right corner. Job done, Peltier dribbled an effort past the post and that was the last scare for North End.
Good team performance astated Clarke, Baptiste excellent, Robinson good in first half but Hugill had a quietly but effective display.
On that showing the Bluebirds are going to struggle mind you so may we.
First home win since February and the first time we have scored three at home since beating Chesterfield in the league 1 play off semi in May 2015.
Preston North End 3 Cardiff City 0 att 9216(215 Cardiff)
Preston manager Simon Grayson: "I'm really pleased, you can't fault anything that we've done.
"It's an addition to how we played in the second half against Barnsley, we carried that forward. We've spoken about it a lot with the players and watched it again a couple of times and kept on telling them to believe that what they're doing is the right thing.
"Nobody's happy with the start we've had. There have been frustrations for everybody, but we've known what we've been trying to do.
Cardiff City boss Paul Trollope: "It was absolutely our worst performance of the season, especially in the first period. We lacked a lot of things with and without the ball.
"As normal, the team were fully prepared and ready for the challenge ahead and we didn't get anywhere near the level that we want and expect.
"We didn't have the basics in place in terms of defensive responsibility, defensive desire, so for those two things not to come together in the first period was very disappointing.
"Apologies to the travelling supporters because they've travelled a long way on a Tuesday night and they've seen a performance that was unacceptable."
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