PNE 3-3 Rochdale

Preston Kicked off full of confidence and their impressive football of late so them take an early lead, Chambers following up Peter Heaps impressive free kick which had come back of the bar. We continued to ask questions of the Rochdale team but a quick break away by the visitors turn the game on his head. Their equaliser changed our psychology on the game and stop us playing 'our game" and saw us start playing kick on hope football.

This is not our game and i was disappointed in some of my better players not imposing themselves on the game. This pattern of football continued for most of the half before another long punt up field saw Andy racing clear to put us back in front!!!!!!

Changes at half time saw us continue to take the game to our visitors but the tempo had now increased and Rochdale fired up by the introduction of our subs were beginning to put their foot in more! But it was us who made it 3-1 with an easy goal by Kershaw. Rochdale had not got a lot to offer apart from their aggression and the ball skills of their number 7.

The player Manager coming off and the changing of the formation suddenly changed all that. What should have been an easy clearance for us from a corner kick led to them reducing the gap to one goal and with 40 seconds to go another moment of madness in the Preston defence so they grab an equaliser with the last kick off the game?

The positives are that we know we can play better and during our good spell made them look ordinary. I have also learnt what some players can and can't do! The negatives are, that some players still don't know where to stand in defensive situations, players are still switching off when the opposition get set pieces and we need to raise our fitness levels.

Steve, Player Manager

Preston team

Chris Hall
Jimmy Atkinson
Peter Heaps
Stephen Hill
Mike Wilson
Simon (Peschi)
Stephen Cowell
Matty Scott
Johnny Ellithorn
Chris Chambers
Andy Dodwell

Subs

Atky
Kershaw
Jason Dodwell
Alex Higgins
Dan McGuire

Also in attendance

Anthony Hayes Injured
Jimmy Higgins Injured
Dezy (Nugent) suspended