By Alex Atkinson -
PNEfans.net
North End
dumped out of the cup Port
Vale 2-1 Preston North End
North End got dumped out the League Cup to the hands of Port Vale.
Paul Simpson took his Preston team to Vale Park, for the first
round of the League Cup.
The upset was on the cards, after North
End’s indifferent
start to the season. Simpson fielded a strong team, the same team
that drew 1-1 against QPR at the weekend. Around 400 odd Preston
fans made the drip down the M6, hoping of a dream fixture in the
second round.
PNE fans @ Vale Park The first 45 wasn’t the best showpiece on earth, the football
on show from North End was going back in time, 10 years ago. Port
Vale, whom are currently top of League One, passed and played Preston
off the park. If Vale keep their form up, we’ll no doubt
play them next season, that’s if we stay up!
The home side were very unlucky not to take the lead on many occasions
in the firs half. Akpo Sodje and Leon Constantine both went nervously
close as North End held on for their dear life. The first half
came to a quick end, nothing to note in front of goal for North
End.
Port Vale continued to push Preston all the way in the second
half. Vale finally took the lead in the 52nd minute, when Akpo
Sodje nodded home from close range with a header. North End pulled
a goal back on 72 minutes when Simon Whaley found a gap to slot
the ball home.
Anyone would have thought PNE would have
gone on to win the match. With extra time looming Leon Constantine
hit a massive blow to
North End, eventually sending Simpson’s men out of the cup.
Constantine broke free after Matt Hill slipped at the vital moment.
Leon Constantine kept his cool and slotted
the ball past the helpless Carlo Nash. Preston pushed forward
but it just wasn’t their
night. Port Vale deservedly won the match 2-1. Simpson later tore
into his players, deeming this performance unacceptable.
PNEfans.net has quoted before, improvements
need to be made. Bad times are ahead, unless the current crop
of Lilywhites can muster
some forum out of a magic hat. The North End faithful still await
a new striker, to take the pressure of young David Nugent’s
shoulders.
Vale Park
|
2-1 
