For the fourth round I had a couple of options for my game, the main criteria being able to get myself up to Blackpool as quick as possible afterwards for a friend's birthday celebrations. Preston v Chelsea was ideal for both the location and also the fact it was a 12.45pm kick-off for TV coverage. I wasn't holding out a tremendous amount of hope in terms of getting a ticket when they went on open sale on Monday but after about 80 attempts I got through and my ticket was secured.
Disembarking the train at Preston, the local police were out in force for the Chelsea fans complete with a couple of buses waiting to take them to the ground, even though it was two hours before kick-off. In the meantime I headed off to check out the town-centre which was shrouded in mist. Having fed myself and secured a few bargain books from the Victorian outdoor market it was off to the concrete monster which is Preston bus station to get myself off to Deepdale.
Preston were founder members of the Football League in 1888 and in their first season, they managed to win the league without losing a game and win the FA Cup without conceding a goal, earning themselves the nickname The Invincibles. Like many Lancashire clubs, they suffered after the lifting of the maximum wage in English football and eventually sunk to the 4th division. Recent years have been kinder and the club have been in contention for the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League for the last few years. After a disappointing start to this season they parted company with their manager and Darren Ferguson, son of Alex, was taking charge of the team for the first time at home this afternoon. Approaching the ground, the mist and floodlights made the ground look very atmospheric. Preston had arrived at this stage having thrashed Colchester 7-0 in the last round in spite of being managerless at the time. Chelsea had progressed comfortably at the expense of Watford.
Having claimed my ticket and made my way inside, I got sight of the new completed Invincibles Stand on the opposite side of the pitch. The old guy next to me had a word of caution - "That seat might be dusty, it's been empty all season".
The ground filled quickly as kick-off approached with the Chelsea fans in good voice, the teams took to the field and we were underway at last.
From the off it was clear that both teams were going to look for a passing rather than a physical game. Chelsea, as expected dominated possession with Preston holding firm and looking dangerous on the occasional break, moving the ball rapidly from defence to attack.
Most of the early chances were limited to long range shots which both keepers handled comfortably and Preston must have been hopeful of getting to half time on level terms when Anelka was picked out in space and managed to nutmeg goalkeeper Lonergan to give Chelsea the lead.
Preston didn't let their heads drop and pressed for an equaliser and created a couple of good chances, the closet being a looping header from Chris Brown, well saved on the stretch by Hilario and the rebound being scooped over by Darren Carter when he looked certain to score.
Any hopes Preston had of getting back into the game were dashed straight away in the second half when Chelsea won a corner and John Terry managed to power a header in which was blocked on the line before Daniel Sturridge pounced in the six yard box.
Preston may have feared that the game could turn into a rout but to their credit they continued to keep their shape and Chelsea seemed happy to dominate possession without really stretching the hosts. At the end of ninety minutes it had been a good afternoon's football and a game in which both sides can take strength and credit from.
Disembarking the train at Preston, the local police were out in force for the Chelsea fans complete with a couple of buses waiting to take them to the ground, even though it was two hours before kick-off. In the meantime I headed off to check out the town-centre which was shrouded in mist. Having fed myself and secured a few bargain books from the Victorian outdoor market it was off to the concrete monster which is Preston bus station to get myself off to Deepdale.
Preston were founder members of the Football League in 1888 and in their first season, they managed to win the league without losing a game and win the FA Cup without conceding a goal, earning themselves the nickname The Invincibles. Like many Lancashire clubs, they suffered after the lifting of the maximum wage in English football and eventually sunk to the 4th division. Recent years have been kinder and the club have been in contention for the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League for the last few years. After a disappointing start to this season they parted company with their manager and Darren Ferguson, son of Alex, was taking charge of the team for the first time at home this afternoon. Approaching the ground, the mist and floodlights made the ground look very atmospheric. Preston had arrived at this stage having thrashed Colchester 7-0 in the last round in spite of being managerless at the time. Chelsea had progressed comfortably at the expense of Watford.
Having claimed my ticket and made my way inside, I got sight of the new completed Invincibles Stand on the opposite side of the pitch. The old guy next to me had a word of caution - "That seat might be dusty, it's been empty all season".
The ground filled quickly as kick-off approached with the Chelsea fans in good voice, the teams took to the field and we were underway at last.
From the off it was clear that both teams were going to look for a passing rather than a physical game. Chelsea, as expected dominated possession with Preston holding firm and looking dangerous on the occasional break, moving the ball rapidly from defence to attack.
Most of the early chances were limited to long range shots which both keepers handled comfortably and Preston must have been hopeful of getting to half time on level terms when Anelka was picked out in space and managed to nutmeg goalkeeper Lonergan to give Chelsea the lead.
Preston didn't let their heads drop and pressed for an equaliser and created a couple of good chances, the closet being a looping header from Chris Brown, well saved on the stretch by Hilario and the rebound being scooped over by Darren Carter when he looked certain to score.
Any hopes Preston had of getting back into the game were dashed straight away in the second half when Chelsea won a corner and John Terry managed to power a header in which was blocked on the line before Daniel Sturridge pounced in the six yard box.
Preston may have feared that the game could turn into a rout but to their credit they continued to keep their shape and Chelsea seemed happy to dominate possession without really stretching the hosts. At the end of ninety minutes it had been a good afternoon's football and a game in which both sides can take strength and credit from.
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