Preston North End 8-3 Stockport County

(IFA Cup Quarter Final) - By Alex Atkinson

Match images here

This was the big one, the biggest game of our short history. Men against boys they said, the small team against the big team. The build up of this cup match was made even better as Preston North End manager Billy Davies gave us a pre-match pep talk.

“Wear the jersey with f**king pride!” Billy Davies said, which the lads exactly did.

North End made a great start to the match, pegging back Stockport from the off. Preston’s first half performance was truly fantastic, taking a three goal lead at the break.

Johnny opened the scoring for Preston with a smart run into the box. North End’s right winger made a dashing run into the box after Matt played a super ball into his path. Johnny did the rest as he dinked the ball into the back of the net, 1-0 to North End.

Preston continued to counter attack, as North End looked for a second goal. The Lilywhites did eventually take a two goal lead when Jason rounded the keeper then finished from a very tight angle, another excellent move from the whites.

Stockport didn’t have a shot on target in the first half, as the North End defence held well. Andy Dodwell went on to bag his first goal of the game when he rounder the defender and keeper to slot the ball home, 3-0 to Preston. Stockport we’re reduced to ten men after an outburst from a Stockport player.

Preston finished the first half in style, the best footballing display of the season. Preston we’re so good they totally out played a good Stockport team. The second half started off where the first did, Jason bagging his second goal of the game to make it 4-0.

Johnny Kershaw rounded off the best move of the game. Johnny slammed the ball into the roof of the net, 5-0 to Preston. Mike, Andy and Matt were all involved in the build up to which must be the team goal the season.

North End kept on going, Stockport’s game wasn’t working as Steve’s master plan was! My personal man of the match was running the show from midfield, Matt was outstanding. The rest the lads we’re exceptional, a performance to be proud of.

Preston made some subs, Allan, Atky, Des and Potter all coming on. Allan got on the score sheet almost straight away, as he got away from his marker to bag his 14th goal of the campaign. Allan was in on the act again ten minutes later.

Andy did excellently well down the left flank to open space for Allan how gladly received the ball inside the box to tuck the ball home for 7-0. This was turning out to be a “textbook” performance from Preston.

The ever impressive Matt finished off the goal rout for Preston. Matt went on a mazy run into the Stockport box. Somehow he managed to take it past a number of defenders to side foot the ball home, 8-0!!! Unbelievable scenes at Springfield’s.

North End kept plugging away, but somehow managed to concede three goals in the last ten minutes. Overall this was the best match of the season, with a fabulous performance to match. Well done to everyone!!!

Matty after the match:

"We were a class act all round and we passed the ball well".

Preston North End 8-3 Stockport County

(IFA Cup Quarter Final) - By Dave (Photographer)

After a fairly even opening period, PNE-Online took control and began opening up the Stockport defence at will. They just couldn’t cope with the pace of Jason, Andy and little ash...Johnny was pushing forward too and it was he who opened the scoring. It was soon 2-0 as Jason took the ball round the keeper and netted from an acute angle.

Stockport where clearly rattled and one of their lads tangled with little ash and decided to assault the lad half his size, the ref had no alternative but to show the red card.

Andy then made it three as he rounded the keeper and slotted home. It was a stroll by now for the whites who were playing brilliantly. Don’t like to single anyone out as the whole team were magnificent.

But for me, Mike at left back was superb, playing some precision balls through the Stockport defence for the rampaging forwards to run on to. Jason was particularly impressive (the skinhead seemed to make him more aerodynamic!) as he gave the defence the run-around.

The game was quickly over as a contest as Johnny and Jason added further goals to make it 5-0. The visitors defence was being torn to shreds. Steve then had the luxury of taking Jason, Johnny and little ash off and replacing them with potter, Allan and Tim.

Andy and potter continued to torment the defence and Allan(2) and Matty made it 8-0 to the home side before Steve made a few more changes and gave Atky, des and jimmy a run out.

Somehow Stockport managed to score 3 goals in the last 5 minutes after centre half john hobbled off injured. All in all it was a fantastic performance and every credit to surf and the whole squad for doing the shirt proud yet again and earning a place in the cup semi finals.

Billy Davies gave the lads a pre match pep talk and was there at the finish to congratulate them. We had a few more supporters present than usual and anyone who watched this stunning display...must have been impressed!

Well done lads. You’re a credit to this message board, the club and the manager. Be nice if we could get a bit more support down at Springfield’s. Where else can you get entertainment of this calibre for free!

Team V's Stockport

Chris

Pete, Dave, John, Mike

Johnny, Matty, Steve, Ash

Andy, Jason

Subs, Atky, Allan, Potter, Tim & Des