Old Boys Weekend Roudup 20th April 2008
As usual in the Old Boys Weekend Round up, we shall take a look at the Premier League first and foremost. At Craven Cottage two former Preston strikers, namely David Healy and Brian McBride were Roy Hodgson's preferred starting two for Fulham. Healy was busy all afternoon but was unable add a goal to his endeavours and cancel out Liverpool's 2 goals to earn them the three points.
At the Boleyn Ground, former Hammer Tyrone Mears scored his first goal of the season as he equalised after 65 minutes only for Bobby Zamora, the man that ended Preston's play-off dream at the Millennium stadium in 2005, grabbed the winner. Eddie Lewis and David Jones also featured for already relegated Derby County.
A goal from Michael Essien sunk David Moyes' Everton side as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea. At St James' Park, teenage striker Andy Carroll came on to as a late substitute in his first Tyne and Wear derby. Carroll is yet to score for the Toon, but has recently been touted as a future England star by Newcastle Executive Director (football), Dennis Wise.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Preston born winger Kevin Kilbane played the whole 90 minutes for Wigan in their 1-1 draw with Spurs. Wigan are surely safe now as they find themselves on 36 points, 5 points above the relegation zone.
To the Championship now, where a whole host of former Preston players featured. 4 of those were at the Britannia Stadium, as Stoke City edged out Bristol City, 2-1 in what was a very entertaining game. Carlo Nash continued in goal with Richard Cresswell and Ricardo Fuller joining Sidibe in attack. Danny Pugh had to make do with a place on the bench.
Simon Davey's Barnsley suffered a 1-0 defeat to fellow relegation candidates Leicester City. After two impressive wins against Watford and Preston, Davey's side have now lost two in a row, leaving them precariously just 3 points above the drop zone. Striker Jon Macken played the whole 90 minutes for the Tykes.
At Bloomfield Road, North End's fierce rivals, Blackpool saw off Sheffield Wednesday in a 2-1 win. Former North End loanee Franck Songo'o has been instrumental in Wednesday's brave battle against relegation since he joined on loan but was unable to stop Blackpool from taking the three points. Michael Jackson was an unused substitute for the Seasiders.
Former skipper, Chris Lucketti made his first appearance for the Saints in their 1-0 home defeat to Burnley. Southampton are just one point and one place above the drop zone and will have to keep going to the final day to avoid relegation to English football's third tier.
Tamas Priskin, who scored 2 goals in his 5 on loan appearances for North End this season, has found himself in the Watford starting line up since his return to the club. Priskin and Watford suffered a 2-0 defeat to Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace and all but ending their chances of automatic promotion. Priskin came close to getting himself on the score sheet as he saw his header hit the crossbar.
To another former Preston loanee now, in the shape of Scotsman Tommy Miller who earned his Ipswich side a point. Wolves' Ebanks-Blake thought his 73 minute goal would be enough to give the midlands side the victory, only to be cancelled out by a 90th minute Tommy Miller equaliser.
Stepping down a tier to League one where a handful of Preston old boys ply their trade. One of which is midfielder Alan McCormack who helped his Southend side earn a vital 2-1 win towards their promotion hopes. The only other notable ex Preston players playing this weekend in league one was Brian Stock who featured in Doncaster's 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient.
In League Two, Omar Daley featured for Bradford in the 2-1 win over Grimsby whilst former manager, Paul Simpson suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mansfield despite taking the lead in the second minite. Simpson had recently recorded his first win in charge of Shrewsbury and was hoping to add to that win over Wrexham. David Hibbert played the full 90 minutes for Simpson's side.