What a day to be a Preston North End fan.
Nine previous attempts at winning a play-off led to nothing but misery and heartache at Deepdale. All of that was forgotten on Sunday as the club stormed to a 4-0 victory over Swindon Town.
It was Jermaine Beckford – who, earlier this season, feared he might have to end his career after a serious illness – who bagged a hat-trick to help take PNE up to the Championship.
It took him just three minutes to bag the first goal of the game, Paul Gallagher’s cross being put into the back of the net by the prolific striker.
In 13 minutes it was two, as Paul Huntington got on the end of another Gallagher cross to poke the ball home. Swindon fans were in disbelief. The Preston fans were absolutely rocking – was it truly going to be tenth time lucky?
Swindon tried to pull one back just before the half-time whistle, but a Nathan Byrne cross was headed marginally wide by Michael Smith.
From the resulting goal kick, Preston did it again.
Joe Garner headed Sam Johnstone’s goal kick into the path of Beckford, who curled the ball into the corner of the goal. Cue mass hysteria from the Lilywhites fans. The dream was steadily becoming a reality.
After the break, Beckford nearly bagged his third goal of the game, only for Wes Foderingham to pull off a superb save to send the ball out for a corner.
On 58 minutes though, the hat-trick was complete. Beckford found himself one on one with Foderingham again and this time, he didn’t miss. 4-0 to Preston.
The Robins continued to push for a goal though and they found themselves coming close several times towards the end of the half as Sam Johnstone had to pull off a string of saves. A Turnbull piledriver was palmed around the post and a chance for Obika was pushed away by the young keeper.
But, it was not to be for Swindon. As the final whistle blew it was Preston who found themselves back in the Championship after a long five years.
Commiserations to Swindon, who fought hard throughout the season to take fourth spot and then to see off the challenge of Sheffield United in the Play-Off Semi-Final. Unfortunately, on the day, they just couldn’t get the result they needed.
It was an emotional day for everyone involved with PNE and it was one that will live long in the memory for anyone involved with the club.
As a Preston fan myself, it was a truly spectacular day and one that will never be forgotten. Each player did themselves proud out on the Wembley pitch and they have cemented their place in the PNE history books. The Play-Off record had me worried about if we really could do it at the tenth time of trying. But, the players all proved there was no need to be worried – when it came down to it, they did their job and they did it superbly. You have to give credit to Simon Grayson too – he has been a brilliant manager so far and all the work he has put in has now paid off.
As Tom Clarke and John Welsh lifted the trophy aloft, it may just have signified the end of the Play-Off hoodoo for PNE.
