Preston North End succumbed to their first League defeat in twelve League One games after a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat against fellow promotion chasers Brentford at Deepdale today.
Two goals in two first half minutes from Adam Forshaw and Marcelo Trotta virtually set Brentford on their way to another impressive victory.
Both sides came into in impressive form, with promotion chasers Preston looking for another home victory, following last Saturday’s 2-2 draw away at Crawley Town, as North End’s season progresses nicely.
Both sides were evenly matched in the opening exchanges of the game, with both sides jostling for possession on a bitterly cold December’s afternoon in central Lancashire.
However, it was Brentford who had the first opportunity of the game, after some neat build up play by winger Radeem Harris, ended up with Marcelo Trotta flicking onto the unmarked Clayton Donaldson, who headed wide, with the goal at his mercy, as the Bees pressed.
North End were slowly finding their feet in a fairly even fixture, and had an opportunity when Joe Garner was hacked down by Adam Forshaw. Garner brushed himself down and smashed his free kick straight into the wall.
Brentford, who were recently coming to terms with the departure of popular manager Uwe Rosler, were in front after a spell of heavy pressure.
Clayton Donaldson raced clear after beating Baily Wright, and was then clattered down by the on rushing Preston goalkeeper Declan Rudd, Referee Darren Deadman booked Rudd, and pointed to the penalty spot.
Adam Forshaw stepped up and coolly converted his penalty, sending keeper Rudd the opposite way in the process.
Brentford found a second goal just two minutes later, as the influential Forshaw found space, and saw his shot well saved by Rudd, only for Forshaw to then tee up the rebound to on loan Fulham striker Marcelo Trotta, who tapped home to make it 2-0.
Veteran striker Kevin Davies was then booked for a cynical tackle on Clayton Donaldson, the tackle left the Brentford striker down in a heap on the floor for several minutes.
Brentford were pressing even further as Radeem Harris skipped past Paul Huntingdon, with Huntingdon bringing down the pacey winger, in a challenge that would see the winger stretchered off.
Preston did have chances however, as winger Chris Humphrey saw his fee kick go straight into the hands of Brentford keeper David Button.
North End had the final real chance of the half, after some neat build up play between Humphrey’s and Welsh, which ended up with the Liverpudlian Welsh firing over the bar.
Simon Grayson introduced two substitutes at the start of the second half, Holmes replacing Keane, and Kilkenny replacing Brownhill, as Grayson pushed for a way back into the game.
Preston pushed forward, and had a penalty controversially turned down, after Joe Garner was clattered by Harlee Deane.
And Preston were rewarded for their troubles just moments after, as Tom Clarke was brought down in the box. Joe Garner stepped up for the spot kick, but fired the ball straight at Button.
Kevin Davies then saw his looping header just go wide of Button’s goal, as North End huffed and puffed, in the pouring rain.
Brentford could have put the game beyond doubt, as Forshaw lashed a fierce shot, which stung the hands of Rudd, as Preston weathered the storm….quite literally.
Preston had yet another chance, as Humphrey jinked his way past Harlee Deane, and curled the ball into the far corner, only for keeper Button to parry the ball away for a corner, as Preston pilled on the pressure.
Joe Garner then saw his shot on the turn well saved by the impressive Button, as North End fans frustrations grew. Garner had another chance moments after as he volleyed over the bar, from a Tom Clarke set up.
Brentford then put the game beyond any doubt by adding a third, after the impressive Chelsea loanee George Saville took the ball to the byeline, before teeing up substitute Sam Saunders, who volleyed home past Rudd in emphatic fashion.
Joe Garner had a chance to get a goal back for the host’s, but saw his shot well saved by Button, the experienced keeper was also called upon again, this time denying Bailey Wright’s long driven attempt, which skidded across the wet muddy turf.
Substitute Bidwell did have chance to grab another for the West Londoner’s , after he was played in by Will Grigg, but Bidwell failed to hit the target and curled over the bar.
All in all a good win for the Bees, who stay third following the win….
Attendance 10,332
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
