Cowboys!

By Paddy
March 15 2008

More points in the derbies this season than either Preston or Burnley is something we all would have accepted, but the fact that Pool played so well in the first half serves as a reminder that Pool could have done the double over Preston, which would possibly be regarded as Simon Grayson’s finest achievement.

Blackpool’s final derby of the season was sure to be the most important one in regards to recent results. The visit of Preston had been so eagerly anticipated that the tickets for the game had all been sold in mid January, and people who couldn’t get tickets found themselves finding a comfortable bit of metal as they climbed the wall of the car park.

Blackpool suffered shock news before the game, as there was to be no midfield anchorman Keith Southern, as he picked up an injury in midweek, and despite precautions, Paul Dickov’s hamstring hadn’t recovered, meaning that the two scorers in the defeat in midweek, Ben Burgess and Stephen McPhee, started up front.

Pool made the brighter start, but couldn’t take advantage, and it was Preston who came closest to opening the scoring, when a move down the left found Darren Carter, who left fly from distance, but his drive went well wide with the aid of a deflection.

This was as close as Preston were to come for most of the half, as Blackpool started to fizz the ball around the tough surface with authority, and carved out the best opportunity so far, when McPhee and Burgess linked up well, and McPhee charged into the box, but was expertly shepherded away by Sean St. Ledger, and his shot trundled through to Lonergan.

Then came the closest effort of the game, as clever work between Hoolahan and Crainey found Jorgensen with space 30 yards out, and he sent a blistering shot towards goal, which seemed destined for the net, and as it beat Lonergan Pool fans jumped, but the ball flew just wide of the mark.

Taylor-Fletcher then came close with a header, and Pool then had a penalty decision turned down, when captain Barker went forward for a free kick, and as he rose for the header at the back post, he appeared to be shoved in the back, but Lee Probert said no to the claims, as they were mostly from the tangerine army behind the goal and not aiming for it.

Then Paul Rachubka was forced into a save, when Chris Brown was suspiciously quick to ground after a seemingly good tackle by Ian Evatt, and from a great position, Darren Carter lined up a shot. However, despite a clean strike, Rachubka was perfectly positioned.

The Blackpool dominance nearly told moments later, when Lonergan could only parry and Ben Burgess just couldn’t reach the ball with the goal at his mercy, and then after clever work from the excellent Jorgensen, Taylor-Fletcher released a thumping half volley from 25 yards which was well palmed wide by Lonergan.

Half Time: Blackpool 0-0 Preston North End

After such a promising first half which contained end to end, flowing football, the second half was a serious let down. Neither side seemed ready to capitalise on the other’s mistakes. Blackpool had the first chance, which took until the hour mark to come, when Burgess won the flick for McPhee, but he was forced wide by St. Ledger, and his shot trundled through to Lonergan.

Preston then had a penalty appeal turned down, when Sedgwick turned past Barker, and then just as he was ready to put in a cross, Barker got back, won the ball and played it off Sedgwick for a goal kick, and Sedgwick deemed it fit to go down screaming from, but the referee Probert saw through the feigning dive, and waved play on.

Preston finally got a shot on target late on, but Brown’s effort from distance was easily saved by Rachubka, and a late introduction of Keigan Parker wasn’t enough to earn a win for Pool, who stay above their West Lancashire rivals by a point before a tough run in, which includes games against 3 out of the top 4 sides.

Paddy on the pool (EDS DRUNK!)

Discussion started by Tangerine-Planet.co.uk (IP Logged), 15/03/2008 23:31

Tangerine-Planet.co.uk
15/03/2008 23:31

Paddy on the pool (EDS DRUNK!)

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