Preston North End Vs Sheffield United
Coca-Cola Championship Playoff Semi Final First Leg
After a hugely dramatic last day of the season, North End are in the playoffs thanks to the narrowest of narrow margins. After being level on points and goal difference, Preston and Cardiff were separated by goals scored - and just one goal at that. It doesn't take a mathematician to realise that without the 6-0 win over the Blue Birds, it would be the South Wales side preparing for a tricky tie against Sheffield United.
The drama started when the Lilywhites took the lead through Jon Parkin just before half-time. At that point it seemed that it was going to be Preston's afternoon. However, Sunday's Championship table saw many twist and turns after Parkin's opener with Burnley going in at half-time with a 2-0 lead and Cardiff looking to be half way to the point they needed.
Deepdale was hoping, praying that the Owls could do them a favour and that North End could build on their 1-0 goal lead. However, in true returning-to-your-old-club style, Patrick Agyemang was put through to guide is shot over the oncoming Andy Lonergan to draw QPR level. With results going the way they were, Preston would miss out on the playoffs for at least another year. Disaster.
However, Jermaine Johnson, a player relatively unknown in the realms of Lancashire until approximately twenty to three on Sunday afternoon, fired Sheffield Wednesday into a 1-0 lead at Hillsborough. If Preston were able to find a winner, it would be them that occupy that final playoff spot and not Cardiff.
After word got around Deepdale of the aforementioned Jermaine Johnson goal, the noise levels were turned up a notch and even more so when North End went ahead for the second time. In the 74th Minute Preston earnt themselves a throw-in deep into the Queens Park Rangers half and to the bemusement of the eighteen thousand in Deepdale, Jon Parkin was lining himself up to take it. One almighty throw later and Preston had the lead.
Jon 'The Beast' Parkin's throw was flicked on by Chris Brown and, in his own words, Sean St Ledger "rose like a salmon" to crash North End into 6th place. Deepdale was bouncing and finally dared to believe.
As a result, Preston now play host to the Blades on Friday night in the semi-final first leg. Kevin Blackwell's side missed out on automatic promotion on the final day and will be looking to make sure they go up via the playoffs instead
North End fans will of course remember what happened the last time they faced a Kevin Blackwell side in the playoffs. A draw at Elland Road and a defeat at Deepdale to Leeds United in 2006 saw North End crash out at the semi final stage to see the West Yorkshire side go to the final.
Previous Meetings and Previous Playoff Record
Preston have not been able to record a win over the Blades yet this season after losing 1-0 at Bramall Lane in October and a 0-0 stalemate at Deepdale in January.
It was last season at Deepdale in March when North End last recorded a win over Sheffield United. Callum Davidson put the home side ahead from the penalty spot just shy of the half hour mark before Neil Mellor made it two 15 minutes into the second half. James Beattie ensured a nervy end to the game after converting a penalty of his own only to see Neil Mellor show great strength and determination to see the game put beyond doubt deep into injury time.
Unfortunately, North End's record in the playoffs hasn't been all that encouraging either. Amongst others, the defeat to Bolton in 2001, defeat to West Ham in 2005 and the aforementioned semi-final defeat to Leeds in 2006 is enough to make any North End fan shudder once the dreaded P word is mentioned.
However, in recent years a trend in the team that finishes in 6th would suggest that by doing so, it could be a lucky omen for Preston. Crystal Palace went on an amazing run and snook into the playoffs at the last minute back in 2003, Hull City last year also not to mention West Ham who of course beat Preston at the Millennium Stadium in 2005 replicated a similar feat. Thus, despite having a poor record in the play-offs, particularly at Championship level, there does appear to be a lucky omen in finishing 6th.
Team News
Winger Ross Wallace will be available after serving his one match ban on Sunday and could come into replace Simon Whaley who deputised. However, Lee Williamson would only be able to feature in the final should Preston make it.
After Darren Carter's goal line clearance, the Solihull born midfielder is expected to retain his place in midfield despite Barry Nicholson returning to fitness.
For the Blades, defender Gary Naysmith is not expected to feature after a persistent knee ligament problem kept him out of the Blades' final game of the season but Henderson and Halford are having made recovered from knocks received against Burnley.