Deepdale resplendent in the sun for the FA Cup quarter final. Credit: Blog Preston
Deepdale resplendent in the sun for the FA Cup quarter final. Credit: Blog Preston
There was to be no fairytale result on an afternoon when Preston North End stood up and matched a Champions League level opponent in Aston Villa – for around 55 minutes.
If it felt like a big occasion, that’s because it is. The first FA Cup quarter final for the Lilywhites since 1966. The potential to play meaningful football in April for the first time in years. A first trip to Wembley since 2015.
And though Aston Villa did ultimately run out comfortable 3-0 winners, PNE made it very difficult in the first half.
Read more: Fireworks set off close to Barton Manor Hotel ahead of Preston North End vs Aston Villa
There’s a temptation to reflect on sliding doors moments in football. Will Keane probably wins a penalty very early doors if he doesn’t pre-empt the contact and go down early. The best chance of the first half fell to Preston but a header wasn’t on target. A referee who blew Villa’s way in most marginal decisions, as tends to happen when David meets Goliath.
All of this was achieved with almost a complete team of first-teamers – including clear first choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, watching from behind glass. The BBC joked that it looked like a hospital waiting room.
A flag in the Sir Tom Finney stand before kick-off
A flag in the Sir Tom Finney stand before kick-off. Credit: Blog Preston
It did feel like Aston Villa had another gear to slip into but when Marcus Rashford side-footed home in second half, it did not feel like a goal that had been coming. North End did start the second period with more energy and purpose in attack, but Villa ultimately had the quality to make the newfound space count.
A penalty, justified yet harsh, soon followed and at 2-0 it felt like game over. A fierce shot slipping through Dai Cornell’s gloves soon after made it 3 and took any remaining pace from proceedings.
But Preston North End can be proud of their performance, choosing essentially the only XI available to them given the number of injuries, and making the fixture competitive in away they did not in more recent big draws with Arsenal and Manchester City in the Carabao.
Credit too should go to the fans, who made a racket, especially those who got to Deepdale early today to make the pre-match displays go ahead despite high winds overnight proving a touch disruptive.
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