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Match Previews

Preview: Fleetwood Town v Preston North End

26 July 2019

Fleetwood Town will take on Preston North End on Friday evening at Highbury in their final pre-season match ahead of the trip to Peterborough United next Saturday.

Here is all you need to know ahead of Friday's match against Alex Neil's Preston side.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Preston North End

Competition: Pre-season friendly

Date: Friday 26^th July 2019

Kick-Off: 19:45

Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 6TX

Match officials: Peter Bankes (Referee), Ian Hussain, Phil Dermott (Assistants), Benjamin Speedie (Fourth Official)

FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood took on Premier League side Burnley on Tuesday night in very hot and humid conditions at Highbury Stadium, and Town for most parts put pressure on the visitors by knocking the ball round well, as well as creating some excellent chances. Burnley did take the lead just before the break through Ali Kiocki, with second half substitute Chris Wood making it two shortly after. The match finished 2-0 to Sean Dyche's men, with head coach Joey Barton pleased with what he saw from his players.

Town have also played against Carlisle United, Port Vale, Millwall and Wrexham so far this pre-season, whilst also giving minutes to all the players, with young players like Barry Baggley, Dan Mooney and Macauley Southam-Hales getting time on the pitch.

Preparations will without a doubt pick up with the match against Peterborough United only a week away.

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PRESTON NORTH END

Preston have been based in the United Kingdom over pre-season and they began with a 2-0 victory over local side Bamber Bridge before heading over the Ireland to face Cork City - where the Lilywhites again came out 2-0 winners.

With a short drive down the M55 to AFC Fylde, Preston showed their class against the Coasters and took the win after 4-0 goals at Mill Farm. A hat-trick from Sean Maguire, and a goal from Billy Bodin saw them make it three wins out of three.

Games have also taken place against Chorley, Premier League side Southampton and most recently Accrington Stanley, with all eyes now on their first match of the new season against Millwall.

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Last time the two sides met

The last time Fleetwood and Preston met was back in the pre-season friendly match in 2017. With Alex Neil having just taken over the Lilywhites, it was a strong start for the Scotsman after his side won 5-1 at Highbury despite Cian Bolger giving Fleetwood the perfect start. However goals from Paul Huntington, Tom Barkhuizen, Daniel Johnson and finally Daryl Hogan, with Town defender making it five after a wicked deflection.

One To Watch:

The one to watch for Preston North End tonight is David Nugent. The forward re-joined the Lilywhites on a free-transfer following his release from fellow Championship side, Derby County.

The 34-year-old started off his career in both the Liverpool and Bury youth academy, and made his professional debut for the Shakers in March 2002 against Port Vale at the age of 16.

Preston came calling for Nugent and he jumped ship to Deepdale three years later, where he scored 15 goals in 43 matches in his second season at the club. Nugent also has an England cap and a goal to his name.

With moves to Portsmouth, Burnley and also Leicester City, it was Derby Count where he finished off last season – missing out on a promotion at Wembley – after Aston Villa won to go back into the Premier League.

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TICKET INFORMATION

Adults - available from £10

Seniors & Under 25s - available from £5

Under 16s - available from £1

The best way to watch Fleetwood Town this season is by getting the Onward Card. Head over to www.onwardcard.co.uk to find out more details on pricing, the benefits and the ways in which you can pay for yours - whether it's over 10 months, or by paying in full.

Match Reports

Report: Hunter strike sees Cod Army defeat Preston in pre-season finale

26 July 2019

Fleetwood Town ended their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 victory over Championship side Preston North End on Friday night at Highbury.

The only goal of the match came in the second-half through substitute Ash Hunter, and when he received the ball from Harry Souttar, there was only one result for the Cod Army.

Just like Tuesday night, Fleetwood started off the better of the two sides and it was Barton's men that had the first chance of the match. Town full back Danny Andrew did well to get past his defender on the last side and then to pull to ball back to Wes Burns, who should have made the Preston keeper work from that distance.

Summer signing Josh Morris took a knock midway through the first half after a strong challenge from Darnell Fisher. The attacker was taken off the pitch; let’s hope it too serious with the new season starting a week on Saturday.

Ash Hunter was the replacement and within two minutes, he created his own opportunity by cutting in on his right foot from the left, looking to curl it into the corner, however Ripley was there to deny Hunter opening his account for the season.

Preston’s first chance came five minutes the interval. Ryan Ledson gambled on a flick on from his strike partner and went to cutely chip the ball over Alex Cairns, only to see it hit the top of the netting.

Alex Neil made one change at the break, and that saw fans favourite David Nugent come off, and be replaced by Louis Moult.

At the start of the second half, you’d have to say Preston took control of the second half, and with a set piece in a very dangerous area, it was Graham Burke who tried his luck from 25-yards out, but his effort went narrowly wide of the top left corner.

Despite the Lilywhites’ chance moments earlier, it was Fleetwood who took the lead through Hunter. The forward took his goal nicely after Harry Souttar brought the ball out of the back, and threaded a lovely weighted pass for him to finish past Ripley.

Burns nearly doubled Town’s lead moments later. Hunter was the provider this time with Burns striking his effort goal bounds, without the getting the connection he would have wanted.

Burke was Preston’s main threat, and again he tried the spectacular from the far side. Billy Crellin was scrambling across his goalmouth, but it was a routine save for the England Under 19 goalkeeper.

Crellin was in the action again and this time he pulled off a smart save down the middle after Daniel Johnson hit one from distance.

Dan Mooney should have made it 2-0 to the Cod Army after went one on one with the Preston goalkeeper, but the Welshman failed to take advantage.

Fleetwood now head into that first match of the season against Peterborough with a win under their belt, with many positives to take from the matches against Premier League side Burnley and Preston.

Town XI: Cairns (GK) (Crellin 61’), Coyle (Southam-Hales 72’), Andrew (Rydel 72’), Clarke (Eastham 61’), Souttar, Burns (Mooney 72’), Biggins (Sowerby 61’), McAleny (Madden 61’), Morris (Hunter 23’), Coutts © (Baggley 72’), Rossiter (Sheron 72’).

Preston XI: Ripley (GK), Fisher (Rafferty), Earl, Harrop, Johnson, Storey, Ledson, Burke (O’Reilly 84’), Stockley, Huntington ©, Nugent (Moult 46’).

Subs not used: Crowe (GK), Simpson, Walker, Armer.