Hugill happy technique work pays off
Jordan Hugill revealed he has been working on left-footed volleys in training after scoring a stunning goal in Saturday’s draw with Sunderland.
The striker – a summer transfer target of Simon Grayson – scored Preston’s second goal to turn the game on its head, his thumping volley flying past Jason Steele.
Sunderland deservedly led at half-time thanks to George Honeyman’s third goal of the season but Preston quickly hit back after the break.
In the 55th minute, Josh Harrop’s whipped free-kick flew into the net before Hugill’s volley from the edge of the area two minutes later made it 2-1. Sunderland then equalised two minutes later, Aiden McGeady sweeping home from 20 yards to silence the home fans.
Grayson joked post-match that Hugill wouldn’t hit a sweeter goal again, but the striker revealed he had been honing his technique on the training ground.
“We do a bit on left footed volleys on the training ground and it’s kind of paying off,” said Hugill. “It’s a good thing for me as I’ve not scored a goal for a few games now, so it’s nice to get another one no matter how it goes in.
“Whether it’s top corner or whether it dribbles in, I don’t mind and it’s another one to add to my tally. It’s pleasing to see the reaction and that’s not the first time it’s happened and that just shows the characters we’ve got in the changing room at the moment.
“We’ve got a lot of people willing to stick their chests out and that’s what we did and we came out fighting, got the two goals. Obviously, it’s unfortunate with their second goal, but it’s a point, at the end of the day, and we’ll take the unbeaten run and work on a few things and keep the run going.”