Deepdale, home of Preston North End based in Lancashire and play their trade in the Championship. Nicknamed the “Lilywhites” as they play in White with Navy Blue shorts. It’s a ground and a club with a lot of history! They’ve been at this ground since 1875 and have had some famous names over the years such as: Sir Tom Finney, Bill Shankly and Alan Kelly! Which 3 of the 4 stands are named after and their faces are etched into the seats! Tonight they face Coventry City and me and the Super Stag are ticking off the 92 one by one! We will be joining the Coventry fans in the away end tonight.
The train from Elsecar to Sheffield and now to Manchester Piccadilly to meet the Super Stag! 6:30pm, so far so good! And now for the drive to Preston. 40 minutes later and here we are!
£15 to watch this Championship tie! Super Duper! A very good turnout from the Coventry fans on this Wednesday night! And they’re in good spirits too! “SKY BLUE ARMY!” & “LET’S ALL SING TOGETHER!”
Kick Off! “There’s only one Mark Robins! Walking along singing our song! Walking in a Robins wonderland!” 3 minutes in and Preston have a corner, it’s whipped in… Jordan Storey with the header… Good save by Simon Moore! Coventry clear the danger. “We’ve got a big Swede on our side! Playing in City’s sky Blue and White! Scoring goals is what he does best! And he goes by the name of Gyokeres!!”
“We speak with an accent exceedingly rare! You want a Cathedral we’ve got one to spare! In our Coventry homes!” How many chants have the Coventry fans got!? 19th minute and Coventry have a free kick to the left of the corner of the left side of the penalty box, Gustavo Hamer to take, he shoots… Keeper saves well!
24 minutes now and Preston work it forward, it’s worked around the Coventry back line to the left side of the box to Josh Earl, he cuts inside and pulls the trigger… It’s over! Should’ve at least hit the target there! 1 minute later and Coventry play a long ball forward, Gyokeres gets on to it on the left, he cuts inside to the middle of the edge of the box and he goes for goal… Straight at the keeper!
“Da da da! Football in a library!” The Preston fans have yet to make a noise so far… But then again I won’t be able to hear them as the Coventry fans have been relentless so far! “Go for it! Go for it! City!” The game has slowed down now, Coventry have had a lot of possession this half but Preston have looked threatening coming forward.
44th minute and Coventry have the ball on the left, it’s pulled back for Liam Kelly to strike first time! Well wide… Right on half time and Coventry come again, Callum O’Hare gets into the box on the right, he plays it Tyler Walker in the box, he takes a touch, goes for placement… AND HE’S DONE IT!!!! Brilliant finish!! Just like he used to in a Mansfield shirt!! And here is me and the Super Stag to roll back the years!! Fantastic from Walker! Coventry lead here! 0-1! That would be the last action of the half with Coventry leading 0-1!
Second half, Preston starting the better so far but no real clear cut chances to report. “Let’s all sing together!” Coventry fans still in good spirits! 61 minutes on the clock and Preston have the ball down the right wing, Ben Whiteman crosses in, Patrick Bauer is there with the header… It’s in off the post!!! Preston have equalised!! It’s been coming you have to say! And it’s 1-1!! “Sky Blue Army!” Coventry fans spirits have not been broken yet though!
1 minute later and here come Preston down the right wing again, it’s crossed in, in towards ALAN BROWNE!!! So close! He’s headed wide! What a turnaround that could have been! It’s a corner for Preston as it did get a touch from a Coventry body, in it comes… Coventry clear.
A bit of noise from the Preston fans now! “PNE PNE PNE!” Preston looking really dangerous now whereas Coventry look shell-shocked… 68 minutes now and Preston have a free kick on the left, it’s taken quickly… Coventry fast asleep… Emil Riis has it in the box on the left, he cuts onto his right and he shoots… OH THAT’S A BRILLIANT FINISH!!!! Preston have the lead!! 2-1!! Coventry punished by the quick thinking of Preston there…
“Sky Blue Army!” Coventry fans still singing! Can Coventry fight back here? 85 minutes played and Coventry have a free kick in the Preston half, it’s lumped into the box, in towards Tyler Walker… He heads over!
Into stoppage time now and Preston break forward, Tom Barkhuizen gets into the box on the right, he cuts inside on his left… He plays it to Whiteman who plays it to Potts… Shot blocked! Coventry clear. Why didn’t Barkhuizen shoot there? Coventry play the ball forward… The Referee blows the final whistle! A poor second half showing has cost Coventry there…
FT: Preston North End 2-1 Coventry City
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8/10 – The Coventry fans were the much better of the 2 fanbases tonight!! Preston did have a go in the second half a little bit but Coventry are some of the best away fans I have witnessed personally so far!
- The Ground: 7/10 – A lot of history! It is the same on 3 sides pretty much but I love the faces etched in! It is a nice ground overall!
- Expense: 9/10 – Pretty decent for £15! 3 goals and a turnaround! Would have liked to have seen Coventry win with me being in that end though.
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – A good night out and I enjoyed it!! Thanks again to the Super Stag for coming! A good game too overall!
31/40