In weather, which veered from awful to atrocious, from one minute to another, a defiant, skilful and well organised defensive effort ensured Preston remained unbeaten this season, coming from behind with Don Cock’s 6th league goal of the season. Missing Martin Scanlon through a groin injury, Head Coach Dave Scanlon called up utility men, Rob and Jimmy Blackburn, both of whom delivered admirable performances in a variety of positions. The backbone of the performance emanated from tireless and towering defensive displays from full-backs, Jon Platt and Richard Sullivan, who ushered the hosts’ twin Kiwi strike force away from danger. Around them, Neil Guyton, Sam Sinclair and Tony Metcalf all put in unyielding stints in the engine room. Rhydding, buoyed by an audible home crowd, took the game to Preston in the opening exchanges, and only some shrewd positioning from Sullivan and Platt kept the scores level. Gradually, though, Preston controlled their multi-layered attack, turning defence into attack with increasing regularity. Sinclair, a constant thorn in the Rhydding’s side, cut a swathe through the home defence only to see his reverse stick flash wide. David Sullivan then commenced on one of his trademark breaks from right half to enter the D unopposed. His shot was true and powerful, but rose agonisingly over the bar. The Yorkshiremen hit back with a brace of penalty corners but Simon Eccleston and his corner team were equal to the efforts presented. Then with only seconds of the first half remaining, a break down Preston’s right, saw a tantalisingly cross turned in at the far post, with Tom Galloway only inches away from snuffing out the danger. Riled at the concession, Preston re-grouped but found themselves under the cosh for the first ten minutes of the second half. Cool defending ensured no further damage to the scoreline was endured. Then Preston moved up a gear. Metcalf, Sinclair and Cock all combined well to punch holes in the home defence. Metcalf saw a shot slide wide, then Cock came close to weaving a magic spell in the D before being closed out. Finally, Preston’s persistence paid off. Sinclair slung in a low cross to find Cock, who with a delicately angled stick, directed the ball superbly beyond a rooted goalkeeper. One each and all to play for. Rhydding swarmed forward now as Preston’s defence earned its keep. Again, clever organisation, savvy positioning and the broadest of open sticks enabled Preston to eliminate any serious goal scoring opportunities. With three minutes remaining, Rhydding won two penalty corners. Eccleston, though, stood firm, first blocking a switch routine before firmly kicking the next shot away. Next it was Preston’s turn to fashion a late goal scoring opportunity as they secured a penalty corner. Cock slalomed past the first two defenders before slipping the ball to Metcalf, who was pushed wide by a phalanx of defenders. There was time for one last Rhydding attack, but Richard Sullivan terminated it with an excellent interception before slamming the ball defiantly off the pitch. After the game Scanlon said: "This was another small step forward for this team. Last season we lost here and also in the HA Cup recently. It was an important moment for the team to come here, not be intimidated, and put in a good team performance. "We remain unbeaten and look forward to the joint challenges of Manchester and Brooklands Manchester University this weekend." Goal scorer Don Cock was delighted with the result: "I was pleased with the goal as the team deserved at least a draw from this game. It’s important we continue to develop as a team and elicit improvements week upon week. "We’re now joint fourth but it’s very tight at the top and we are just concentrating on each game as it comes." - Preston take on Manchester this Saturday and then Brooklands MU 2nd XI on Sunday.
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