Fulham 2-2 Preston North End

Atky's images - here

Mike's images - here

The game started at a fast pace but the pattern of the game was set in those first few minutes with Fulham defending deep and trying to catch us on the break with their two quick lads up front who linked together with their big target man. We restricted the service to these guys by pressing them in their own half. We began to get hold of the game with this tactic and it was no real surprise when we eventually took the lead and shortly after we quickly made it two.

We continued to boss the game and were looking to go in 2-0 up at half time till a dodgy decision by the ref shortly before half time rocked us back on our heels. With the linesman flagging that the ball had gone out of play the ref chose to ignore him and let play go on with the ball eventually ending up in the back of the Preston net!! We weren't happy to say the least as he blew for half time a few minutes later.

WE were all a bit down about it during the break and i think we carried that into the second half as they hit the post shortly after the restart. Their wide men were now giving us big problems and it was no surprise when they equalized with 20 mins to go. That goal seems to wake us up and for the next 20 mins we camped out in their half with Johnny Kershaw rattling the underneath of the crossbar with 5 mins to go. But Fulham had the last word as they hit the crossbar themselves in the dieing moments. The ref decided that was it and blew the final whistle.

Penalties; Nightmare but as manager i just left it to the lads to sort them sleeves out regarding who wanted to take them or not out and after a few minutes the five lads who were to take them lined up. Losing the toss meant Fulham elected to go first. The Fulham lad made no mistake as he fired his pen straight in to the top corner. We duly obliged to make it 1-1.

Then came a run of nervous penalties! They missed we missed and they missed again before Preston Jason Dodwell stepped up and he made no mistake to make it 2-1 Preston. So it was up to the Fulham lad now, if he missed Preston went through. He didn't look confident as he stepped up and Matt Higgins the Preston keeper made sure he did his bit as the lad nervously put the ball on the spot. Some players looked away as he ran up but Matty guess correctly and beat out his low shot. Cue wild celebrations from the Preston contingent. (Pictures to follow shortly LOL)

I personally thought it was a great game to play in and some of the football on display was a joy to watch. But we had to be at our best or we would not have gone through. If i have one criticism it's our final ball into the box. Numerous times we got ourselves in good positions only for the final ball to let us down. Also our shooting could have been better but saying that they put us under a lot of pressure especially the big lad at the back.

But it was Preston who finally went through and they now wait the winners of the Hull City V Bury tie.

Steve Manager