Stoke 0 Preston 0 – 17/4/21 12.30
Another poor game, another clean sheet, and a poor red card. Is that all to be said about this end-of-season debacle? Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
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It’s Norton-in-The-Moors as Christian makes his full debut. A tough looking young striker playing alongside the tough-looking old striker (sorry, Fletch). Dean Holden’s first game as City’s coach/assistant-manager. The players will need to impress the former Bristol manager. Or else!
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7.35 Norton pushed over by two defenders…and the ref gives a goal kick!! Replay shows a clear penalty. Fletch more apoplectic than Norton about it!.
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14.35 North End players falling over all over the pitch, and the ref being very pro-Preston. Just saying.
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18.25 Powell charges into the area and takes out TWO defenders, but for once the ref doesn’t blow. Smith blasts a shot just over.
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20.11 Ched Evans knocks over his marker and scores, but ref calls it back. Yes, it’s THAT Ched Evans. You know, the one who won goal-of-the-month for March.
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26.10 Tymon has a one-on-one with keeper Iversen, but despite 2 bites of the cherry, the side-netting is the best he can do. Oh, Josh!
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33.01 Powell loops a shot that Iversen has to bat way, waving his arms around as if he was waving to his parents in the crowd.
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40.45 Norton so scaring the Preston defence that Whiteman almost puts the ball in his own net!
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42.35 Norton shoved over again in the box…and the ref AGAIN gives a goal kick, not even a corner! What game is he watching??
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HT 0-0 with 60% possession.
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46.25 Norton clatters a defender in true Tyrese style.
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50.30 Bizarre situation as the ref stops the game for a head injury, which the replay shows Fletch the guilty party. The drop ball is given to Stoke! Fletch lucky to still be on the pitch, despite his protestations.
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63.45 Souttar gets a free header but somehow it goes wide.
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67.30 Hughes’ free kick comes back off the post! Clucas conceded the kick, almost getting red-carded. Subs required!
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73.30 Fletcher’s headed goal is ruled out for offside! Thompson on for Clucas, Brown on for Norton. Seems MON was listening to me after all!
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76.50 Powell collapses after an appalling tackle, which the ref ignores!! Davies makes a great catch. Vokes on for Fletch.
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86.20 Red card for Harry for supposedly bringing down Browne yet replay shows barely any contact!!! Probably not even a foul!!! Free kick beaten away.
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88.29 Batth on for Tymon, replacing Souttar.
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90+2 Jacob Brown somehow wins the ball, but Vokes hasn’t bothered keeping up with play.
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FT 0-0. Wasted.
