Watford 3-3 PNE

The match finished 3-3, at one stage in the game we were winning 2-1. The Watford team has been going 9 years, with a squad of 40 players. We let alone haven’t been going for 9 months and have a squad of around 15.

We took the game to them, unfortunately they took the lead early on. We got straight back into the game, feeding the ball to Andy upfront who caused the Watford defence numerous problems.

We managed to win a penalty, Andy being brought down in the box. Pete stepped to take the penalty, Graham Alexander style stood tall and slotted the ball coolly into the bottom left corner, the keeper had no chance!

Now it was mostly PNE, with allot of the ball being played through midfield. Steve and Flanny played a excellent game together holding the ball firm using the two wide men Johnny and Dan to good effect.

North End then took the lead, to make it 2-1 to the whites. It was the teams top goal scorer Andy once again who delivered the goods to put the lads ahead. Striker partner Des had a good chance to put Preston further ahead, but failed to covert his strike at goal. Chris did fantastic in goal, keeper a firm grip on the game after being caught out for Watford's first goal. After the interval, Watford game back at us.

In five sloppy second half minutes we let two goals past us. Firstly a defensive mix-up cost us dearly as the Watford striker nipped in to make it 2-2. Not long after, it was 3-2 to Watford. The goal came from good play by Watford, who got round the defence to slot the ball into the bottom corner.

Heads went down, not for long. North End battled all over the park, player manager Steve carrying us through. Alan and Atky stood firm at centre back along with Dan who was making his debut for the team. Pete covered well at right back for the injured Atkinson.

A change of keepers saw another debut for No.2 Jimmy, Potter also replaced Dan on the right wing. It was all that grit and determination that got us back into the game. The equalising goal came from a Watford goal kick, Flanny picked the ball up in the middle of the park. He fed the ball right down the middle for Andy, who hit the ball on the half volley that beat the Watford keeper in the bottom right hand corner. It was WorldNET celebrations all over again, as the whole team rushed over to Andy in what were turbulent scenes.

Watford came straight back at us, looking to take maximum points. The North End back line conceded a corner kick, the corner came swinging in which was matted by a strong Watford head. What came next was something to savour, debut keeper Jimmy made an absolute outstanding save tipping the ball over the bar, Gordon Banks eat watch out!

Preston held their ground the pick up their first points of the IFA season. All square at 3-3 in the end, an excellent result taking into account the lads had been up since 6:00am and travelled 100's of miles. Atky's ankle swelled up like a golf ball, he will go to Hospital to see the extent of the injury.

Thanks to Nick for lending his morale support during the game we’re looking forward to seeing you back in the starting 11 again. Well done to everyone! The lads then went onto Vicarage Road to watch the real North End pick up three vital points against the real Watford.