The Best Trip We've Ever Been On

29 September 2010 10:54
Preston's game away at Leeds had everything - an early goal, awful defending (from both sides), dubious refereeing decisions, excellent attacking and a comeback to remember Not since 30 September 1961 have Preston come away from Elland Road with all three points - it was a long wait but the game was certainly worth it and one that will be remembered for another 49 years! Fergie was back on the touchline but the formation remained 4-5-1 with Morgan coming in for the injured Brown. Hume started on the right with Parkin playing in the lone striker role. Leeds started of shakily and their defence set the tone for the whole match in the first couple of minutes. Treacy crossed from the left and with no apparent danger the home keeper fumbled the ball straight to Jon Parkin who tapped in from two yards with only two minutes on the clock. We all know Preston findn it difficult to keep hold of a lead and soon the scores were level after Becchio somehow managed to claim a free header in between two Prston defenders from a left wing cross to nod home. If the equaliser showed Preston's defensive frailties then the second Leeds goal was comical. A ball played into the box was heading out with no home player in the viccinity. It appeared that LOnergan shouted to his defence to leave the ball. Instead St Ledger weakly headed the ball back into the danger zone for Bruce to convert as Leeds went in front. Somma then added another for Leeds before the half hour mark as his shot defelcted off St Ledger past the despairing dive of Lonergan. Moments later Somma doubled his tally as the defence showed him inside onto his right foot - the right footed player then duly curled his shot into the back of the net. At 4-1 with the first half not even at an end, the game looked over. Fergie swiftly changed the formation as 4-5-1 became 4-4-2. Coutts was switched to the right and Hume went up top - Preston's only form of defence was to attack. Fortunes soon changed as Parkin was put clean through before the break to fire a left foot shot home to reduce the deficit. Preston then started the second half on top piling the pressure on the home side. Treacy sent in an inswinging corner with his left foot which Somma could only head into his own net - it is unclear if the ball had already crossed the line before Somma got his head to the ball. The away side were then on the up and the Leeds defence crumbled. Coutts was pulled down in the box and Davidson converted to level the scores from the spot. Preston who clearly couldn't defend had to carry on attacking. From 4-1 down Preston then took the lead. A long ball forward by Davidson was collected by Parkin on the edge of the box. THe big man swivelled, turned and fired home from just outside the box to give North End the lead. Hume then added a further goal thanks to a good header to make the score 6-4. Preston managed to hold on despite Leeds hitting the post. The match was truly enthralling and both managers will be questioning their teams defending but all in all for the neutral it was a thoroughly entertaining game which sees North End move away from the bottom after two away victories in a row.

Source: FOOTYMAD