By Alex Atkinson -
PNEfans.net
North End
battle to victory
Preston
North End 3-0 Luton Town
Mike Newell’s Luton Town were today’s
visitors to Deepdale. Luton suffered a defeat to the hands of Burney
in midweek, currently in 12th position. Paul Simpson’s side
started the match in 2nd spot, four points behind Cardiff.
The Pavillion
Paddock gates Simpson was without in-form striker Danny Dichio, missing out
through suspension. Patrick Agyemang started the fixture in his
place. Simpson named the same side that thrashed Leeds in midweek,
bar Dichio.
North End looked nervous in the first half, signs of compliancy?
Preston went about their own business, creating some good chances.
Simon Whaley should have given North End another early lead after
only five minutes into the first half. Paul McKenna set Whaley
through in on goal.
Preston’s top scorer fired his effort just wide of the far
post. Whaley looked to have set the tone for the remainder of the
first half, which didn’t live up to expectation. North End
started to look frustrated as things started to go against them.
The Lilywhites were denied a stone wall penalty when Chris Sedgwick
was brought down in the box when he was just about to unleash a
shot.
The referee waved the claim away, which sent the North End crowd
mad! Preston kept plucking away, as the first half drew to an end.
North End started the second half in a brighter fashion. Simon
Whaley started to get more of the ball down the right flank, doing
what he does best.
The match was still at a stand still, Preston looking the more
likely team to score. North End did just those seven minutes into
the second half. David Nugent who had a quiet first half was in
on goal. Nugent skipped past the defender then the keeper, the
empty net was waiting to bulge.
Marlon Beresford brought down Nugent, this time it was a penalty.
Beresford was shown the red card, for the second season in a row
at Deepdale. Penalty king stepped up to take the spot kick. Alexander
made no mistake whatsoever, scoring his 100th career goal. What
an achievement from a full back! Well done Grezza on behalf of
PNEfans.net
The flood gates opened, North
End attacking again from Luton’s
kick off. North End numerical advantage started to show when Agyemang
nicked Preston’s second goal. Agyemang got his foot on the
end of Danny Pugh’s excellent corner to put Simpson’s
men two goals to the good.
North End was on a roll, more
goals looked to follow. Luton didn’t
have anything to offer at all. They game to defend, which they
got punished for. David Nugent and Danny Pugh were both unlucky
not to add to the score line. Nugent scuffed his shot after he
beat two defenders and the keeper in front of the Townend.
Nugent again was in the thick
of the action, nodding down Alexander’s
long range pass with his head. Nugent took more touch then played
the ball into Pugh’s advancing run. Pugh side footed the
ball towards goal, which went ever so close to putting Preston
three goals up.
North End did get their third
goal, via substitute Brett Ormerod. Ormerod did what strikers
are paid for when he pounced on a rebounded
shot to tap the ball home from 5 yards. That was Ormerod’s
second goal in three sub appearances. Preston played out the final
few minutes to hold on for a clean sheet and maximum points.
Paul Simpson was greeted with more good news. Cardiff lost to
Colchester along with West Brom losing to Derby. Preston keep their
position in second place in the Championship, with a tough test
away at bottom club Southend next weekend. 
Nugent is in fine form!
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