Latics given reality check
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 10 March 2014
Athletic 1, Preston 3
This Preston team proved themselves worthy winners — and 10-man Athletic can’t reasonably feel too aggrieved at losing to a club on the up.
But context is important: at the moment it feels like Athletic’s whole season has had a dimmer switch gradually applied. Another defeat means relegation fears still loom — particularly with Rotherham to come tomorrow and Leyton Orient and Brentford later this month. Judging solely by the league table, all these sides at least approach the quality of Preston.
With only a three-point and two-team cushion between Athletic and the bottom four, there is reason for concern.
Manager Lee Johnson himself — never one to mince his words in an interview — tellingly said that his current line-up is not as good as the one which outplayed Simon Grayson’s men earlier this season.
“They have probably got better and we have probably got worse,” said Johnson.
Athletic’s defensive line struggled to cope with the pace and movement of Preston’s attackers.
Chris Humphrey scored with less than five minutes played and gave isolated David Mellor the run-around for the visitors’ second goal.
Former Blackburn and Leicester attacker Paul Gallagher was incisive throughout and Joe Garner would have had a hat-trick but for a superb penalty save from Mark Oxley.
At the other end, Korey Smith forced a brilliant one-handed stop from Declan Rudd while Athletic were 1-0 down in the second half. And Gary Harkins’ volley on the turn was a moment of pure class – well worthy of cheer from the home fans, who answered Johnson’s call for an increased intensity in atmosphere with drum beats, songs and encouragement throughout.
It’s a pity the players couldn’t lift themselves from the off. Athletic were inflexible in their 4-4-2 formation and seemingly intent on firing long balls forward. The main source of inspiration, Harkins, cut an isolated figure on the left flank and took one fearful ear-bashing from Johnson, who clearly wanted him to get involved more.
North End, who unveiled a huge Sir Tom Finney banner before kick-off in honour of their hero, had Humphrey do a decent impression of the famed winger for the opening goal.
Athletic were playing catch-up again. David Worrall scuffed a half-chance wide with his left foot but apart from that, an optimistic Harkins drive from 35 yards which was easily claimed by Rudd was the highlight of a 45 minutes quietly dominated by Preston.
Danny Philliskirk drove a half-volley at Rudd from a tight angle before being withdrawn for Clarke-Harris, who provided much needed physicality.
Adam Lockwood’s downward header was too close to Rudd and though ex-Athletic man Craig Davies had an effort smothered by Oxley, Athletic were on top as the game entered its final third.
Korey Smith had on off-colour afternoon but went close to levelling with a terrific, swerving 20-yard drive, which Rudd somehow clawed out.
The crucial second goal came against the run of play. Humphrey careered around Mellor and simply rolled the ball across goal for Garner to tap home into an empty net.
But Athletic hit back when Clarke-Harris’s fierce cross from the left channel was nodded back across goal by Worrall and Harkins spun to rifle home and make it 2-1.
Then came the penalty which saw Clarke-Harris’s afternoon end early due to a handball on the line.
He claimed it hit a shoulder, but referee Stephen Martin disagreed. What was clear was Oxley’s superb save, as he threw out a left arm to push clear a well-struck spot-kick.
Athletic threw men forward in search of a second equaliser, but Garner’s second goal of the game arrived with a shot that went in after hitting the inside of both posts. It was a touch of luck, but there was little good fortune about their win overall.
