Preston finally score home goal in Lancashire derby stalemate

The points were shared under the lights in West Lancashire as Preston North End drew 1-1 with local rivals Burnley on Tuesday night.

Headers from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jordan Storey made up the scoresheet as set-pieces proved the difference in what was a game of few real chances.

The evening started off with an impeccably observed minutes silence for the late HM Queen Elizabeth II before the famous Opera singer Russell Watson beautifully performed the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’.

A minute's silence was followed by the National Anthem at Deepdale as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.pic.twitter.com/pErjv3ZXQo

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) September 13, 2022

And once the marks of respect were concluded, North End got a feisty encounter underway kicking towards the Bill Shankly Kop in the first 45.

There was an early yellow card for Ali McCann which Ryan Lowe felt ‘set the tone’ for the game as the first half was very stop-start with several soft free kicks given and neither side able to build any real momentum.

But the scoring was opened by Manchester City loanee Harwood-Bellis as he rose highest from a Josh Brownhill corner to head the ball across the inside of Freddie Woodman’s post and into the net after just 11 minutes.

However, the lead lasted just four minutes as North End made a corner of their own count as a wicked ball in from former-Claret Robbie Brady was headed up in the air before Storey clipped the ball over the line and the goal was awarded after a check on the goal-line technology.

There was a special moment in the 19th minute as there was a minute of applause from all four stands in tribute to a young Preston North End, Alex Tyson, who sadly lost his life last week at the age of just 19, a minute which saw all four sides of Deepdale stand in applause.

But as far as clear-cut chances went, there weren’t many more memorable chances to note.

Both sides made changes in attempt to sway the result with Alan Browne adding some enthusiasm into the Preston midfield and Ched Evans helping gain some territory higher up the field. But North End appeared fairly happy to protect their point as Vincent Kompany’s side held a lion share of the possession whilst repeatedly struggling to produce anything of any meaning.

There was one last gasp chance for North End as Alvaro Fernandez got the ball of the left-hand side and drilled a shot that looked like it might just creep inside the far post but was cleared for a corner which proved to be the final action of the game.

With some tough games coming up for North End, if they’re wanting to stay in and around the top six then they’re going to have to try and find a way to find the net more often. Currently averaging less than a goal a game since the arrival of Ryan Lowe and only scoring three goals so far this campaign in league action, things simply have to improve on the attacking front.

As for Burnley, it appears to be the same story for them so far this campaign with commanding, dominating performances regardless of being home or away, whilst not picking up results. With three wins from their first nine games, Kompany will know his side have to start turning draws into wins if they’re wanting to be within the promotion contenders this season.

Next up for the Clarets is a home clash with an in-form Bristol City whilst North End face Sheffield United at Deepdale.

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