A last minute winner from Liam Lindsay gave Preston North End a memorable 2-1 Friday night win over Blackburn Rovers.
An absorbing encounter could have gone either way, and whilst a draw was probably a fair result, the late goal in front of the 6,000 Preston fans ensured they had the bragging rights once again, making it five wins at Ewood Park in the last seven years.
Lowe goes with two up front
If Mads Frokjaer was to come out the side, many felt it would be Ryan Ledson who would be brought in to help with the midfield battles. Ledson is the ideal player for derby as he would never shy away from a challenge. In hindsight it may have been a good idea to have him play as Blackburn carved us open through the middle quite a few times.
As it was, Will Keane started up front alongside Milutin Osmajic. Keane struggled to make much of an impact in the game, and was often just left to pressing from the front. The decision to play two strikers did finally pay off though when Ched Evans came on for Keane, and allowed Preston to play more in the final third,
What a goal
We will struggle to see a better Preston North End goal this season than the one from Alan Browne. Brad Potts who was looking quite lethargic at points in the game, played a wonderful diagonal pass to his captain. Alan Browne controlled it with ease before lashing in a sumptuous effort with his left foot into the roof of the net.
Browne duly celebrated in front of the Rovers just has he had done against Coventry City’s last week whilst the Preston fans at the other end of the pitch celebrated wildly. We knew it was a good goal but I don’t think many realised until watching the replays afterwards, how beautiful his first touch was.
Controlling it with a little flick of the outside of his right boot, ensured the ball was perfectly in the Irishman’s path, and I don’t think he’ll hit the ball with his weaker foot better than that again.
The club captain has been very impressive in his last two games, and looks to be getting back to his best, after a couple of years where the team has needed more from him.
Attacking intent ensured a quality game
The second half didn’t start too well, with the league’s top scorer Sammie Szmodics adding his 10th of the season, when Preston left him too much space. Perhaps Freddie Woodman could have been better positioned as well, but from then on it was Blackburn who had the momentum for a 15 minute period.
They had already hit the woodwork twice in the first and could sense there was another goal in this game.
The end to end match barely gave anyone time to catch their breath. Neither side was holding on for a draw, and you always felt there would be more chances in the game.
It was Preston’s turn to hit the woodwork when Duane Holmes followed up a Brad Potts cross, and struck the inside of the post, before bouncing away from danger. Milutin Osmajic then hit the bar after a wonderful ball from Kian Best, but the Montenegrin had been adjudged to be offside anyway.
Subs gave Preston the upper hand
Ryan Lowe chose to make an early change in the second half, with Evans replacing Keane just after the hour mark. Evans immediately allowed Preston to keep the ball at the right end of the pitch whilst also releasing the wide players into space.
Frokjaer then came on after Liam Millar had pulled up and was also key in finding gaps in the Blackburn defence to exploit.
Robbie Brady on for Holmes was the final change, and the former Burnley winger was clearly fired up for this one. All three subs gave Preston some momentum at a stage when it looked like Blackburn were on top.
A winner that will live long in the memory
Liam Lindsay diving in to nod home the winner to send the away end into euphoria was the perfect way to start the weekend. It was great desire and bravery from the centre back for whom it was his third away goal of the season, and his second winner as well (scoring in the 1-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday also).
It was lovely intricate work to lead to the ball to Lindsay though. After a corner and a follow-up cross had been heading back out, Frokjaer showed great desire to win a 50-50 duel before Browne laid the ball off to Ben Whiteman.
Whiteman was able to just stay onside before lofting the ball to the back post. The celebrations from the players after Lindsay’s goal were superb and you could tell how much it meant to the fans and players alike.