| Dougan Dinks in the Decider to Hand Preston Reserves a Hard Fought Win |
Preston Reserves 1
Bury Reserves 0
Preston reserves managed to grind out a 1-0 win against a resilient Bury side at Victory Park in Chorley, thanks to a solitary goal from Neil Dougan.
North End started the brighter of the two sides without really testing the Bury goalkeeper Cameron Belford, but it was the away side who were unfortunate not to find themselves a goal up inside seven minutes; Jack Dorney's effort being disallowed for offside, despite rounding Wayne Henderson, who returned to the side in place of Lewis Neal.
This chance should have spurred Bury on, but Preston, more particular Neil Dougan, soon made them pay for a missed opportunity. It all came from punted long ball from inside Preston's half, which caused confusion between Ben Futcher and Cameron Belford. Rob Turner pressurised the defender and hassled him into making a rash clearance. The ball went straight to Dougan, who curled it over the keeper and into the unguarded net (9).
It could have been two seconds later when the goalscorer, Dougan, broke free down the right. His cut-back found Sam Hart in a decent position, but the winger couldn't get a shot away.
Bury threatened mostly through counter-attacks, but Domonic Collins; who was solid throughout, produced a brilliant tackle to prevent Glynn Hurst racing clear.
It was Preston who continued to surge forward; Rob Turner missing a great chance after Danny Mayor's cross had found him, while captain Nathan Fairhurst volleyed way over from twenty-five yards.
In a period of dominance from the home side, the impressive Mayor played a superb through-ball to Sam Hart, who's shot rebounded off the post. It wouldn't have counted anyway as the official ruled that he was lurking in an offside position.
Adam Barton twice tested Belford with long range efforts, before Mayor broke down the right wing to unleash a thunderbolt, which the Bury keeper did well to divert around the post.
Although Preston had completely dominated the first half, Bury could have found themselves back on level terms deep into injury time. Hurst was denied by a good block from McLaughlin, but the ball was played back into the danger area. Chris Mason squared it along the crowded six-yard box, only for the on-loan Eddie Nolan to clear under pressure.
After the interval, Bury, rather surprisingly after the abysmal first half performance, stamped their authority on the game but were found lacking in the final third. Chris Mason had the best chance for the visitors, but his instinctive poke rolled antagonisingly wide from a low Jack Dorney cross.
Preston could have found themselves down to ten men late on when Dean Stott slid in dangerously after he had already been booked, but the referee decided on a final warning instead.
There was still time for Rob Turner to carve out a chance in injury time but, after a one-two with Adam Barton, the forward's effort was palmed away by the flying Belford, although it was of no matter as Preston held on for a valuable win.
Preston Reserves; Wayne Henderson (gk), Dean Stott, Conor Mclaughlin, Nathan Fairhurst (capt), Eddie Nolan, Domonic Collins, Danny Mayor, Adam Barton, Robert Turner, Neil Dougan (Thomas Smyth, 75), Sam Hart (Phil Appiah, 71).
Bury Reserves; Cameron Belford (gk), Ricky Anane, Lee Pugh, Steve Haslam (capt), Ben Futcher (David Thompson, 51), Kevin Fields, Danny Racchi (Ryan Barrow, 84), Josh Rothwell, Chris Mason, Glynn Hurst (Krishnan Patel, 70), Jack Dorney.
Ref; Mr P Tierney
Date:20/11/2008 |
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