Old Boys Weekend Round Up
As usual, there is plenty of action to report on featuring former Lilywhites and as per the norm, we shall be starting with Saturday's Premiership fixtures and Everton in particular. The Toffees beat newly promoted West Brom 2-1 at the Hawthorns, which will have come as a relief as much as anything for David Moyes, having lost their opening fixture. Everton did get off to a slow start as it did take them past the hour mark before they nosed their way in front. Leon Osman put them ahead after 65 minutes before Yakubu made it two 20 minutes later. Roman Bednar pulled one back from the penalty spot with just a few minutes to go. Craig Beattie came on for the Baggies to replace Ishmael Miller after 80 minutes.
David Healy took his place amongst the substitutes at White Hart Lane as his new side Sunderland beat Spurs 2-1 thanks to a later winner from another new boy, Drijbril Cisse and a thunderbolt from former Manchester United winger, Kieran Richardson.
At the Britannia Stadium, Ricardo Fuller was on the score sheet for Stoke as they recorded a 3-2 win against Aston Villa, which incidentally became Stoke's first ever Premiership win. Richard Cresswell came on as a substitute late on for the Potters.
Elsewhere in the Premiership, former Lilywhites Kevin Kilbane and goalkeeper Carlo Nash were amongst the substitutes for Wigan in their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, at the JJB Stadium.
To the Championship now where Simon Davey's Barnsley side fell to a 2-0 defeat to an impressive looking Birmingham side. Jon Macken started up front for the Tykes whilst Rob Kozluk was amongst the substitutes.
Graham Alexander was in the Burnley side as they earned themselves a 0-0 draw and coincidently their first point of the season against Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Tyrone Mears and Claude Davis were both in the Derby side that fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Southampton. The Rams are still without a league win as they prepare for a trip to Deepdale on Tuesday night ahead of the Carling Cup second round tie.
David Jones, the former loaned midfielder from Manchester United, started in the centre of midfield for Wolves as they saw off Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road. Alex Bruce, son of Wigan boss Steve Bruce was dismissed for a wild challenge on David Jones who was lucky not to be injured in the process. Tommy Miller started for Ipswich as they failed to build on their only win of the season so far.
Andy Gray converted from the penalty spot for Charlton at the Valley as they put four past Reading in a 4-2 win. With such a result against a side like Reading, Charlton will be insisting that they are taken seriously this year after having such a disappointing campaign last time round.
Brian Stock continued in the heart of Doncaster Rovers' midfield as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to QPR. Newly promoted Doncaster have now recorded a win, a draw and a defeat, thus enjoying somewhat of a mixed start to the campaign.
In League One, former skipper Chris Lucketti captained the Huddersfield side who crashed to a 3-1 defeat to the MK Dons. Lucketti is in his second spell at Huddersfield, having signed this summer from Sheffield United. Jermal Johnson came on as a late substitute for the MK Dons.
Another former North End captain in the shape of Sean Gregan captained the Oldham side that hammered Cheltenham 4-0 at Boundary Park. Former inmate, Lee Hughes notched a hat trick.
Elsewhere in League One, former stopper David Lucas watched on from the substitutes bench for Leeds United's 1-1 draw with Somerset outfit, Yeovil. Whilst Paul Reid, the former Preston and Barnsley centre half was in the Colchester United starting eleven for their 3-1 win over Swindon Town.
In League Two, Paul Simpson and his Shrewsbury side secured a 1-0 win over newly promoted Aldershot on Saturday with Grant Holt netting the only goal. Kevin Langmead and Michael Jackson also started where as Dave Hibbert came on as a first half substitute for a side who seem to be assembling somewhat of an ex-Preston squad.
Colin Murdock and John Mullin were both in the starting eleven for Accrington Stanley for their 2-0 win over Macclesfield with John Mullin's namesake Paul scoring the first goal.
Marcus Stewart started upfront for Exeter City as they saw off Bournemouth in a 1-0 win whilst Omar Daley featured from the start for Bradford in their 2-0 win over Rochdale at Valley Parade.
Yet another former Preston captain, Kevin Nicholls, now back at Luton was in their starting eleven for the 1-1 draw with Notts County. The draw means that Luton are now on an unprecedented minus 26 points.
Outside the football league, Wrexham drew 1-1 with Altrincham where Gavin Ward was between the sticks for the Welsh outfit.
Elsewhere in the conference, Mark Stallard netted a 94th minute for Mansfield as they were victorious in a 3-2 win over Northwich Victoria.