Old Boys Weekend Round Up
As ever we round up the weekend's action involving ex-Preston personnel involved in this weekend's fixtures, the only difference being that this week we saw the football league season draw to a close and so I will start with the Championship where it turned out to be a dramatic last day as there has possibly ever been.
Stoke City secured their place in next season's Premiership after earning the point they needed at home to Leicester City. Richard Cresswell and Ricardo Fuller have been instrumental for the Potters all season and were both heavily involved in the 0-0 draw at a packed out Britannia Stadium on Sunday. Carlo Nash pulled off a series of impressive saves aiding to the point earned that sent them up and inadvertently sending Leicester City down.
Simon Davey's Barnsley fell to a 3-0 defeat to Cardiff but was not too downhearted with the result and wished Cardiff all the best in the FA Cup final. Jon Macken started up front for Barnsley whilst Rob Kozluk kept his place in defence. Davey will regard this season as a success having seen his side guarantee Championship football for next season and reach the FA Cup Semi Final.
Preston's bitter rivals from East Lancashire, Burnley suffered a 5-0 drubbing from Play-Off favourites Crystal Palace. Former skipper, Graham Alexander played the whole 90 minutes for the Clarets. Alexander and Burnley will be disappointed that they didn't reach the play-offs themselves and will be looking to make that their priority next season.
Former Claret, Andy Gray who spent a brief spell on loan at Deepdale got himself on the score sheet for Charlton in their 4-1 over Coventry. The emphatic win ended what was a rather unconvincing season from Alan Pardew and his men who will want to get back to the Premiership as quick as possible.
Another former loanee, Tommy Miller was involved in Ipswich's 1-0 win over Hull City which was not enough to see the Tractor Boys edge their way into the play-off places and will have to wait till next year having been condemned to another year in the Championship.
To conclude the round up of the Championship, Gareth Ainsworth and his QPR team mates suffered a 2-0 defeat to Champions West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road. Ainsworth had found himself out of the manager's plans until his impressive display against Preston in the game at Loftus Road recently where he scored one goal and provided an assist for QPR's equaliser. Ainsworth's QPR future as a player is very much hanging in the balance but has expressed his interest in becoming a coach should his playing career come to an end sooner rather than later.
Into League one now where on loan Brett Ormerod started up front for Forest in their 3-2 win over Yeovil. The result saw Forest promoted back in the Championship after an absence of 3 years. Marcus Stewart featured for the opposing side but was unable to get on the score sheet.
Brian Stock got himself booked for Doncaster in their 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham which will now mean they will be extending their season and hoping to go up via the play-offs. Former skipper, Sean Gregan was part of the Oldham team that demolished Crewe 4-1 but sadly for The Latics it will be another season in League One for them. Oldham looked destined for the play-offs but seemed to run out of steam towards then end and ended up being 9 points short of 5th and 6th place.
To league two now where David Hibbert found himself on the bench for Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury against after a baron spell in front of goal. Shrewsbury drew 1-1 with Rochdale and finished 18th in League Two, and finished a comfortable eight points above the drop zone but at one point it looked as though they might have been sucked into the relegation dog fight. Simpson having had success with Carlisle in League Two will be hoping he has similar fortunes next season.
Last but by no means least, to the Premier League where David Moyes' Everton side lost 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Everton find themselves in 5th place, three points above Villa who have an identical goal difference to the Toffees meaning that the last day of the Premier League season will be an interesting one as Martin O'Neill seeks out that Uefa Cup spot.