It was a long time in the waiting but after 12 years we finally got a win at Deepdale. We’ve been close a few times, none more so than last season, when an injury-time equaliser robbed us of all three points, but on Saturday we stayed firm, defended liked warriors, and got the all-important victory.
It extended our unbeaten record in 2023, stretching the run to eight games. It was also the first double over the Lilywhites since 1996.
Despite January transfer window signings Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick joining the club, it was no surprise to see just the one change to the starting line-up with Cameron Pring coming back in after suspension for Jay Dasilva.
Jay was decent last weekend, but Cam has been excellent and deservedly returned. Mehmeti and Cornick had to be content with a place on the bench, a bench that was as strong as any that I can remember in recent seasons. Dasilva kept his place in the squad and alongside him was fit again Andi Weimann, Tomas Kalas, Joe Williams and new keeper Nikita Haikin.
We started on the front foot but were indebted to Max O’Leary when on five minutes he used all of his frame to keep out a header from on-loan Everton forward Tom Cannon. It was somewhat of a sliding doors moment as almost immediately City went up the other end and opened the scoring.
Alex Scott fed the ball into Kal Naismith on the half-way line but rather than return it to Scott, Kal hit a curling, searching ball towards the PNE box, looking for the run of Mark Sykes. North End wing-back Robbie Brady should have dealt with it but under-hit his back pass. Sykes had continued his run, anticipating the mistake, and also had the composure to bring he ball inside of keeper Freddie Woodman and calmly slot the ball into the net.
O’Leary was at it again saving well from Ched Evans before City lost Kal Naismith to injury on the half-hour mark. Most of us in the away end hadn’t seen an injury to Naismith and couldn’t understand Joe Williams being stripped to come on.
When the referee stopped play it was clear that Kal was struggling with something as he walked dejectedly from the pitch.
Pearson later confirmed that Kal had a tight calf, and we hope that it was more a precaution and that with treatment, the influential Scot will be able to make the starting line-up next weekend against Norwich City. A game at which we will pay tribute to the Ashton Gate Eight whose selfless actions saved the club 41 years ago.
As half-time approached, we witnessed some magic from Scott that led to City extending their lead. Scott received the ball and showed quick feet and a body swerve to dance around his opponent before showing strength to come away with the ball. He then played a perfectly-weighted pass beyond the defender, anticipating Nahki Wells' run into space.
Wells didn’t break stride, took a touch whilst he looked up and fed the perfect cross into Sam Bell at the back post who coolly slotted home. The impudence and class from Scott, the run and cross from Wells were brilliant but Bell also made a clever run initially going inside before pulling back and then he was behind the defender to finish.
Ryan Lowe’s side were going to throw everything at us and almost immediately in the second-half O’Leary was at it again making a low stop to divert a Cannon shot wide. It was a cracking save. As is the life of a goalkeeper, having made three tremendous saves, Max was culpable for the PNE goal. The City No1 couldn’t hold onto a long-range shot from Ryan Ledson and Evans was quickest to react to tap into the net.
City could have folded under the pressure, but they stood firm. Rob Atkinson was a warrior at the back and the entire team were determined to hold onto their lead. There were a couple of unsavoury moments involving former City defender Greg Cunningham who firstly raked his boot down the back of Wells leg - a challenge that led to Wells seeing the red mist and react by pushing Cunningham who fell to the floor.
Wells was booked and then minutes later, Cunningham fell to the floor claiming Wells had elbowed him in a challenge. It was poor from Cunningham. Pearson did the sensible thing and brought on new signing Cornick, who showed up well.
The team held firm and there was one moment near the end when it seemed every player was involved in seeing the ball out for a goal kick, throwing their bodies to block the ball. When the referee pointed for a goal kick they celebrated it like a goal. There is a real spirit in this team.
At the final whistle the players celebrated with the fans. It had been a tough watch at times but for me in the context of our record at Deepdale, the aggression and physicality shown by Lowe’s side it was our best league performance of the season. Not in terms of the football that we played but just the determination to grind out the win. Every player put in a 7/10 or more performance with O’Leary, Atkinson and Scott standing out.
I saw a tweet from The Exiled Robin that read: “We’ve got three months to get down to Ashton Gate and enjoy Alex Scott. Seriously, get down there, watch as much as you can because it’s worth it. Go and buy memberships – this genuinely may not happen again. Go home and away, go, and see. He’s magical.”
Paul is spot on. This lad is very special and whilst I would love to see him stay with us beyond this season, performances like his last two will get more attention. He was described as Zidane-esque on Sky Sports.
There was more good news coming from the academy with the City Under-21s defeating Everton 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup. Goals from Seb Palmer-Houlden and Sam Pearson saw City get past the Premier League side.
Our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show ratings were: Max O’Leary 8 *MotM, Zak Vyner 7, George Tanner 7, Rob Atkinson 8, Cameron Pring 7, Kal Naismith 7, Alex Scott 8, Matty James 7, Joe Williams 7, Mark Sykes 7, Nahki Wells 7 & Sam Bell 7 (subs have to have come onto the field before the 60th minute). A game average of 7.25, and a season average of 6.33.
For Nigel it’s an 8. While I think the tactical change with 20 minutes to go invited the pressure, it was a win at Deepdale and the gets the 8.
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