Sheffield United 3-1 Preston North End

Another defeat, and another defeat that's defeat to take. Their third goal summed it up for me. It was just a clearance from their lad down our right flank, two of our players against one of theirs yet he gets through them both, we still have chance to clear it with another one of our players covering and our keeper their as well yet he still gets through and scores the goal that finally killed us off.

Same last week at Rochdale we could and should have covered their 2nd goal but we didn't and they win, The thing that's worrying me is were not learning from our mistakes, we keep making poor decisions or not closing the opposition down quickly enough. We work our socks off trying to score good goals yet we keep giving £hit goals away. It’s not good enough boys is it?

Saying all that everybody gave everything they had and that's was brilliant, but our failure to read the game defensively and our inability to keep possession of the ball long enough to hurt the opposition is very worrying.
We won’t win any game if we keep making the same mistakes week in week out and we don't improve our passing. Effort is fantastic, team sprit is incredible but our football is not good enough at this moment in time. Again i say to you guys take a look at your own performances and see what you can do to try and improve yourselves.

As for the game, their first goal a shot in our 6 yard box from a corner!!!!! Their second one goes through the legs of one of our players and underneath Chris!!!!!! Their third one Read above! We score a beauty from a worked set piece and should have had a few more we even miss a pen but in the end we come away with nothing. Yes Sheffield is a good side but they would not have won if we had made better decisions on the day

Sheffield Utd's view

A big thanks to Steve and his Preston team for paying us a visit on Saturday
morning. Steve's boys were as professional as ever, arrived and changed
before most of my lads had staggered into the venue. Like last week we were
lower in numbers then I'd have liked (12 this week) but we had the nucleus
of the team there and didn't suffer any injuries throughout the match. We
were aware that Steve's team had lost a few players from last season but
knew they'd still be tough opposition as always.

After the early exchanges we managed to create a few chances, Preston had
plenty of possession but our defence were playing extremely well and kept
them down to just a few half chances. The first goal was always going to be
important and fortunately for us we managed to grab it after about 20
minutes. A good corner played in from the left was half cleared but stand
in centre back Alex Paramore managed to connect with an overhead kick
(apparently, I didn't see it!) to give us the lead.

We extended our lead about ten minutes later, this time with a good individual goal. The ball was played into the box and striker Andy Wood took the ball past the centre back with a good bit of skill before firing a left foot shot into the opposite bottom corner. We looked to be going into half time with a two
goal lead, but slack marking from a corner let in Preston's striker and he headed home from close range unchallenged.

Naturally in the second half down the hill Preston pressed us very hard and
indeed and had most of the possession, but we managed to hit them on the
counter attack a few times and once again we defended superbly. Chances
were few and far between but it was us that managed to get the crucial third
goal after breaking away from a Preston attack. I can't remember the build
up too much, but we broke away through Andy Wood and as he advanced on goal

A defender got a tackle in but Tom McCaig was first to the loose ball and
played it past the on-rushing keeper. Preston kept battling away and were
rewarded with a penalty after a shot struck the back of our defenders hand
in the last minute. Preston's striker struck the ball well, but last
seasons Cup 1/4 final penalty hero Paul Kemp once again saved a penalty to
keep them out. The final whistle followed shortly with the score 3-1. I
know Steve was disappointed to lose by 2 goals as the game was a tight
affair, it was just a case of we defended really well and took our chances.

Despite losing a few players, Preston will still be a force this season,
I've got a feeling that nobody will run away with the title this year as
there are a lot of good teams that will take points off each other.

Many thanks again to Steve, it was another good competitive game between the two sides with very few bad words between the teams. Looking forward to
finally paying Steve's team a visit later on in the season.

Team

Chris Hall

Stu - Martin - Gareth - Alex H

Pesch - Steve - Chats - Jonny

Chambers - Des

Subs: , Atky, Jimmy, Phil