JOSH FOR FUN
Net buster makes point for Preston
PRESTON’S Josh Harrop hit an absolute belter to rub out Blackburn’s shell-shock early goal by in-form Adam Armstrong.
That strike itself was impressive as Armstrong bamboozled North End’s defence to silence their massive 6,000 following with a close-range effort.
But when Harrop rifled home an unstoppable first-time rightfooter just 14 minutes later, it was game-on in this fiercelyfought Lancashire showdown in front of Ewood Park’s biggest crowd of the season.
Both sides gave no quarter and one victim of this fierce encounter was Rover’s Corry Evans, who was stretchered off with an oxygen mask after being hit in the face by Tom Clarke’s boot, as Evans stooped in a bid to head the ball.
Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray (right) revealed: “Evans has a broken nose and a suspected broken cheekbone.
“He needed an oxygen mask and has been sent to hospital, along with his family. His absence so early definitely hurt us, but he’ll be back.”
Mowbray added: “It was an attritional game all right, but I respect the nature of Preston.
They have a camaraderie and a collective spirit like us, and you know you’re in a game when you play them.” North End boss Alex Neil admitted: “I was worried when we conceded early on. We made a mistake, then didn’t repair it, and Armstrong was in with his goal. We had to rally, and fortunately Josh’s strike was a great one. “After that, we were more aggressive and it was a 50-50 duel, albeit a scrappy game.” Armstrong’s early strike came after North End defender Tom Clarke gave away the ball. To make matters worse, the
Preston skipper then failed to cut out the danger, leaving Armstrong free to score.
But Preston struck back as Harrop showed his quality. The 24-year-old former Manchester United youngster made it look so easy as he scored his second goal in two appearances, and his season’s seventh.