Alderley Edge 3-5 PrestonHaving conceded twice in five minutes after the re-start to trail 3-1, Preston were facing a second defeat on the bounce. But, stirring midfield performances from Sam Sinclair, restored to centre-half, and Tony Metcalf, provided the impetus to take their hosts apart with a series of lacerating attacking moves. Preston began sluggishly, still nursing a post-2006 hangover, and were one down after five minutes. Alderley’s South African import, Matt McConkey, was gifted space in the D and his reverse stick drive eluded Simon Eccleston. Gradually, Preston began to piece together some impressive moves with Carl Sanderson, Martin Scanlon and Don Cock buzzing around between midfield and attack. Cock went close with a powerful snap-shot and then Scanlon saw a blistering shot skim inches wide of the right post. Preston’s goal threat grew as Cock, looking increasingly dangerous; cut a swathe through the Alderley defence, dancing past three defenders before being cynically cut down. A penalty corner was the least he deserved. The resultant corner was pushed away but Metcalf, a man mountain of industry down the right, picked up the loose ball and fired in a cross. Cock, at the second time of asking, mis-hit a shot which crept under the goalkeeper’s foot. One all at the interval, with Preston on top. But a nightmare five minutes looked like consigning Preston to a second defeat of the campaign. Firstly, a penalty corner was cruelly deflected past the outstretched foot of Eccleston. Then moments later a free hit escaped three Preston defenders, as McConkey added his second with a simple tap-in. This was now a test of character. Sinclair, playing the deep quarter-back role, began to orchestrate proceedings releasing Neil Guyton, Metcalf and half-backs, David Sullivan and Tom Galloway with overwhelming effect. A free hit two yards outside the Alderley D presented the quick-thinking Sinclair with the chance to bring his team back into the game. David Sullivan disguised the pass, under his arm, to Sinclair who, with unerring accuracy, slammed his shot beyond the Alderley keeper. A superb aerial ball from Galloway, who shone at left-half, found Cock, who weaved his way past the last defender, drew the goal keeper and smashed the ball gleefully on to the backboard. 3-3 and suddenly only one team looked like winning. Cock, now at his tormenting best, picked up a pass from Scanlon, slalomed past two defenders, enticed the goalkeeper again, before teeing up Guyton, who capped a smart display at left-half, with a cool finish. Now dominating, Preston kept possession admirably, restricting Alderley to a brace of penalty corners, which were dealt with sufficiently by Eccleston and his corner team. Another aerial throw by Galloway caused havoc in the home defence, and Guyton, returned the favour to Cock, by threading a beautifully weighted pass across the D for the striker to notch his hat-trick and 17th goal of the season, keeping his side only two points behind Durham University and Hull at the top of the league. - Preston take a weekend off this Saturday because of National Junior Indoor commitments in Birmingham. They travel to Hull on the 27 January.
Squad:Eccleston (GK); D Sullivan, R Sullivan (Capt), Platt, Galloway; Guyton, Sinclair, Metcalf, Scanlon; Cock, Sanderson; Fletcher, Hoffman ----The views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC. |
