IFA
Cup final 21/07/2006
Click here to view
the images Preston North End 2-1 Nottingham Forest
The time had finally come, the IFA cup final had arrived. Victories
against Grimsby and by against York and wins over Stockport and
Rotherham secured the final spot.
Preston prepared themselves in the best possible way, training
twice a week for the past few weeks. This preparation for the
big kick-off included running up and down the beach and sand
dunes at Blackpool. Also friendly matches were played against
the Lancs Constab and Garstang.
North End arrived in Leeds on time this year, a vast improvement
on last years mix up. Everyone got settled into their rooms and
changed into their brand new kit. The lads gathered in the function
room, ready for the match.
Steve Cowell’s Preston side were all but ready ahead of
the final. Coach Gaz gave the lads one final team talk, going
over the tactics. Everyone was geared up and raring to go, the
big kick-off was moments away.
Prior to kick-off John took the warm up for the final. Everything
was in place, the referee and his assistants were ready. North
End lined up with a strong team. The final squad:-
Chris, Pete, John, Dave, Tim, Jason, Matty, Steve, Jonny K,
Andy, Chris Subs, Atky, Craig, Nick, Jonny W, Jimmy, Dan, Des,
Andy and Chris got the ball rolling, taking the kick-off for
Preston. PNE were playing in white shirts, blue shorts and white
socks. Forest were playing in red shirts, white shorts and red
socks. North End started the brighter of the two teams in the
opening minutes.
Jason Dodwell playing down the right wing for Preston started
to rip the Forest defence to shreds. Jason’s pace told
when he skipped past the Forest left back to delivery a teasing
ball into the Forest 18 yard box.
One of the Forest defenders was deemed to handle the ball with
his arm, the referee awarding Preston with a penalty kick. Pete
stepped up to take the pressure kick, just like in training Pete
made no mistake rifling the ball into the top left corner, 1-0
to Preston.
Pete fires home the spot kick
The match was pretty even for the remainder of the first half.
North End could have made it 2-0, when Andy came so close for
the Lilywhites. Andy got on the end of a brilliant ball from
the left side, only for the keeper to make a excellent save to
deny Preston’s top scorer.
Nottingham Forest somehow found themselves back in the game
when they were awarded a penalty kick. John looked to have recovered
well after a mistake, taking the ball clearly. The referee thought
otherwise, giving Forest the second penalty of the match.
The Forest player tucked the spot kick away to level the score
at 1-1. North End rode out the first half, who were clearly on
top of the match. It was more of the same from both sides in
the second half, Preston getting the better of the attacking
play.
Matty and Steve did well to orchestrate things from the center
of midfield, along with the back line of Pete, John, Dave and
Tim who all coped well with everything that was fired at them.
Jonny K and Chris worked tireless through out the game, battling
all the way.
The linesmen seemed to have it in for Preston, giving some dodgy
offside decisions which could have cost Preston the game. Jason
looked clearly onside when he raced through to score a goal.
Preston kept on plugging away, looking for that winning goal.
Preston made a change, Dan coming on for Pete. North End’s
pressing play came good when Forest gifted a glorious change
to Andy. Andy latched onto a poor back pass, ran through on goal
to lob the keeper, Andy later admitting he didn’t see the
ball cross the line.
Andy scores the winner
for Preston
Andy and the lads celebrated his goal, the game wasn’t
over yet with 20 minutes to play. North End held out as Forest
didn’t punish the Preston rear guard, Forest’s long
ball game wasn’t as effective as Preston’s pass and
move technique.
The Lilywhites did have one scare towards the end of the game.
Forest got into Preston’s box, and got away a shot which
looked to be heading for the net. John somehow recovered well
to clear the ball to safety via his own crossbar.
Lady luck must have been on Preston’s side as they ran
out the clock till the final whistle. That final whistle seemed
to take an age, the referee finally blew and the game was over.
Cue wild celebrations from the Preston squad, we had done it,
we were CHAMPIONS!!!
The team with the IFA cup
We proved why we won team of the year, as most of the other
teams watching us were against us. The IFA Cup was heading back
to Deepdale. This was a brilliant achievement for everyone involved,
the cup being dedicated to Steve Cowell for all his hard work
over the past 12 months.
Steve with the IFA cup
and medal
|
