Preston North End inflicted just the fourth defeat of the season to Ipswich Town on Saturday after a dominant first half display. Three goals in the first half ensured that even with a second half Kieffer Moore inspired comeback, North End could hold on for a 3-2 win.
Made the most of sloppy defending
Ipswich were insistent on passing the ball out from the back, but our persistent pressure forced them into mistakes. Goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky didn’t seem comfortable with those instructions, and with our three most advance players breathing down the necks of their defence it didn’t make sense to do it each time.
All three of Preston’s goals in the first half came from winning the ball back in dangerous positions and making it count, with a hint of good fortune along the way.
For the first goal, Liam Millar, Mads Frokjaer and Will Keane closed the defenders down, before a Ben Whiteman tackle gave Keane time and space to get a shot off. It got a lucky deflection off George Edmundson taking it away from the keeper, but it was credit to Keane for taking the shot on.
The day was about to get worse for Edmundson. Just three minutes later he would put the ball in his own net. After fine work from Alan Browne in winning the ball back, he found Keane who quickly released Emil Riis.
Riis looked as if he had scored his first goal for over a year, but it was Edmundson who poked it past Hladky. Replays did show that Riis was ever so slightly offside, but we are due a decision going our way.
Keane always in the right place at the right time
The third goal arrived in the 38th minute, and it was down to great pressure from Frokjaer and Riis. Hladky made a silly pass to his defence, Frokjaer was there to force a pass backwards, before Riis challenged and the ball fell for Keane.
The former Ipswich striker slotted away for his 11th goal of the season. It’s his third brace of the campaign as well, after scoring twice in games against Stoke City and Bristol City.
It’s also his fifth goal in four games, with all of those having come playing alongside with Riis, and with Frokjaer behind him.
Lowe may finally have found his best starting XI
It may have only taken just 26 months but Ryan Lowe may have finally found the best starting eleven to go with when all players are fit. The starting line up against Ipswich Town on Saturday had never been picked previously, but most fans will have come away from it very happy with the overall team performance.
Preston look far more dangerous with two strikers up front and Keane and Riis have complimented each other very well in the few matches they have played together. They are both great at closing down defenders, Riis has great pace to get around the defence, and Keane is just a typical poacher.
Frokjaer is there behind them to provide the through balls and also close down the opposition as well. The Dane will always look to get forward and play attacking passes. You very rarely see him going backwards or sideways, something that has previously been very frustrating with this Preston team.
Browne was back in the side having been on the bench the last two matches, and on his 401st appearance, he was key in the first half, dictating the pace of the game which favoured North End.
The defence picks itself these days, as do the wing-backs, but Lowe should give the midfield and strikers a run together now, as it seems to be the best fit.
Only Preston fans would still feel nervous at 3-0
Despite dominating the first half, and ending it three goals up, a quick glance at the Ipswich bench and with memories of throwing away games already this season, we knew the job wasn’t done.
There is still scar tissue from Southampton grabbing a last minute equaliser at Deepdale, Cardiff City scoring two late goals to get a 2-1 win, and also injury time winners for Leeds United and Swansea City on our travels.
You never felt Preston would pick up a rare clean sheet here, and with the introduction of Kieffer Moore at half-time you knew it would be tough.
Ipswich changed their tactics, and the striker on loan from Bournemouth who Alex Neil once tried to bring to Preston was the focus for everything. He took his two goals well, and had other chances too.
The last ten minutes were an unbearable watch. We sat back, and failed to hold onto the ball. But we just about got over the line. I don’t think fans could have coped with another game being thrown away late on, especially after being three goals up. But a wins a win, and it came against an Ipswich side who have been flying this season. Perhaps the defeat against Maidstone United in the FA Cup was still playing on their mind in the early stages.
Another win needed
North End’s form over the last few months has been frustrating. One good result is very rarely followed up by another. The morale boosting win over Leeds on Boxing Day was followed with a drab defeat to lowly Sheffield Wednesday.
The win against Ipswich on Saturday should act as a springboard for more encouraging performances. We’ve just beaten one of the better sides in the league, so we should have no fear in our next few games.
Our last four wins have been followed by losses, and we haven’t won back to back games since early November. Time for that to change. Cardiff away up next.