Preston North End 1-1 Birmingham City

Match images - here

Tired legs and minds contributed to our performance on Sunday against Birmingham City. The hot conditions over in the Potteries on Saturday had took the toll on the lads as we struggled to get our passing game together against a very Strong Birmingham City side.

A half time team talk about the danger of letting them get in front was blown out the window as they took the lead near enough straight from the kick off. Slacking marking and a lack of concentration by two or three of the lads contributed to them snatching the lead.

It was game on now as the extra man for Birmingham (the blustery conditions) made it even harder for us to get control of the game. But we are an honest team and we kept at it till we began to finally get hold of the game. Numerous chances went missing before the introduction of the substitution Steve brought an immediate response with him scoring with his first touch.

As we celebrated we noticed the linesman had his flag raised to signal offside! Steve reckons he made a late run but that just about summed up the way it was going for us. But we got on with it and we continued to knock on the Birmingham wall but they refused to let us in. A strong penalty award after the player mangers standing leg was taken form under him was waved away by the ref.

Just when we thought the gods were against us we got a lucky break the covering defender completely missed his kick leaving the Player Manger Steve free in front of goal but it what seemed like an eternity he managed to get his shot away and somehow his shot just had enough strength to get over the line to give Preston a deserved equaliser and keep the unbeaten run going.

Maybe it was fitting that it was Player Manager Steve who was on hand to score the last league goal of the season to make Preston N. E. fans team Champions in only their second year in the league! Birmingham forced two corners in the closing minutes but it was Preston Johnny Elithorn who had the final chance to grab a deserved victory for the lads but after a great run he blasted the ball straight at a relived Birmingham keeper. that was final action in a pulsating game.


Preston Squad 6-5-07

Chris Hall
Peter Heaps
Tim Sleddon
John Orton
Mike
Alex Atkinson
Stephen Cowell
Johnny Elithorn
Skora
Andy Dodwell
Des (Nugent) Wilson
Simon (Peschi)
Steve