Cardiff City v PNE
Cardiff City Stadium
Coca-Cola Championship
Saturday 5th December 3pm kick-off
Final Score: Cardiff City 1 (Burke, 54) PNE 0
Click here to listen to PNE Player coverage from 2pm.
Email your thoughts to the matchday commentary team via ged.mills@centralradio.fm, phone the studio on 01772 708 000, or send your thoughts via SMS - text CENTRAL then your message to 81803.
1656: Don't forget it is buy one get one free next week so get down to Deepdale and get behind the lads.
1655: We will see you again on Tuesday when Preston will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Tuesday as Nigel Clough's Derby County visit Deepdale.
1654: So Alan Irvine will be disappointed again following another positive performance by his side. Preston have defended resolutely and have worked tirelessly but this wasn't enough to secure any points as a wonderful strike by Chris Burke settled the score and gave Dave Jones' side the victory.
90+5 mins: The game is over and despite another good performance, North End are on the receiving end of a 1-0 scoreline.
90+4 mins: Time is almost up as Cardiff continue to keep the ball in the corner, Mellor has just conceded a foul and it looks like this will be the last action of the game.
90+2 mins: The ball is now in the corner as Cardiff are looking to run down the clock, much to the frustration of the Preston players.
90 mins: There will be a minimum of five minutes added on.
89 mins: Mellor runs onto a loose ball and wins Preston a corner. Wallace swings the ball in and it is headed away by Rae for another corner.
88 mins: No recent chances to report as both sides are battling against the weather.
86 mins: Cardiff are defending resolutely and North End are unable to break down this hard working defence. The rain is pouring much heavier with the ball fizzing away from the players on this extremely wet surface.
83 mins: North End bring the ball forward through Wallace, who plays the ball back to Sedgwick whose cross is met by Brown. However, Brown climbed high but his header dropped over the crossbar.
81 mins: Bothroyd has another chance but it is blocked well by Collins who has had a very good game. The resulting corner is played in but it falls to Chaplow on the post who clears away any danger.
79 mins: Tonge does well to beat his man and plays the ball into the penalty area but the ball is headed by Hudson and then gathered by Marshall.
77 mins: Mellor has just ran at the Cardiff defence but again the Bluebirds are back in their numbers and have snuffed out the chance.
75 mins: Cardiff again attacking the North End defence and again Burke plays a teasing ball across the edge of the six-yard-box but fortunately for Preston, none of the Cardiff attackers are able to get onto the end of it.
72 mins: Despite making these changes, Cardiff are now in control with Preston desperately trying to win the ball back and attack the Bluebirds defence.
70 mins: As soon as this happens, Cardiff catch Preston on the break and Bothroyd's long range effort just whistles past Lonergan's post. This is quickly followed by another chance where the ball is played into the area by Burke which finds McCormack in front of goal but he has just missed the ball, a huge let off for North End.
69 mins: Irvine is clearly going for it now with this triple substiution.
67 mins: Jay Bortthroyd has just fouled Davidson and has been booked. This see's Irvine now doing this triple subsitution with Sedgwick on for Parry, Mellor on for Elliott and Brown on for Parkin.
66 mins: Looking down at the bench, it looks like Mellor, Brown and Sedgwick are being given instructions by Rob Kelly, we maybe seeing a triple substitution.
64 mins: Elliott has had a good run down the left hand side but he is intercepted by McNaughton. The ball is quickly down the other end where Scimeca's long range shot is deflected and has looped over the bar.
62 mins: Joe Ledley has just slipped on the far side of the pitch and looks like he has gurt himself. He is now going to be replaced by Gavin Rae as Dave Jones is forced to use all of his allocated substitutes.
61 mins: Good chance for North End with Chaplow shooting from distance but his shot flies over the crossbar.
60 mins: Cardiff have made their second change of the game now though with Ross McCormack coming on for Michael Chopra.
59 mins: The home fans are in good voice now but Preston will feel slightly hard done by. Rob Kelly is looking at the substitutes warm up as the management look to be considering making a change.
57 mins: I have to correct myself as it was Gerrard who was the injured player. He hasn't returned to the field and Mark Kennedy has come on in place of Gerrard.
55 mins: It is almost two nil as Bothroyd is clean through but Lonergan comes to the Lilywhites rescue. It's harsh as North End dominate the half but are unable to punish City, who in turn, punish North End.
54 mins: GOAL FOR CARDIFF. The pressure from North End has been evident but Cardiff go up the other end and score through ChrisBurke. Burke is given loads of space outside of the area and he unleashes a great left footed strike which fly's into the top corner past a helpless Lonergan.
53 mins: As the game continues, so does the pressure from Parkin who again is battling away up front, not giving the defence any time to breath.
49 mins: The game has stopped for a bit as Parkin colides with Cardiff captain Mark Hudson. Hudson stays down with a head injury and is asked to leave the pitch a couple of minutes later to receive some treatment.
48 mins: Great continued pressure by North End with Wallace beating his man on the right hand side, cutting inside and swinging the ball towards the back post with his left foot but Parkin is just unable to get onto the end of it.
47 mins: Chance for Parkin. The corner is played in by Wallace and Parkin rises to meet ball but his header is cleared on the post by McNaughton. Great start to the half for the Lilywhites and in-particular Jon Parkin.
46 mins: Straight away Parkin turns well and shoot, the ball id deflected out to Wallace who plays Jones in but his cross is put out for a corner.
46 mins: The lads are back out and we're off again.
1559: There are plenty of options for the gaffer if he needs to ring the changes in the second half. We have Sedgwick, Mellor and Brown as attacking options if we need them with Shumulikoski, Hart and Nolan to cover the defensive duties. This is a strong North End bench who maybe able to change proceedings this afternoon if they are called upon.
1555: It is getting cold down here in Cardiff as the players are beginning to warm up. I have my warm up at the moment... a nice brew!!
1550: One thing that is certain is that Preston are definately in the game and are currently playing some good football.
1548: Like in the last couple of weeks, North End have performed well but have just been unable to find a breakthrough in this game. The second half promises to follow suit with both sides probing the defences without leaving themselves vulnerable at the back.
1547: It has been a very spirited performance by both sides and Parkin's chance remains the best chance of the game.
45 mins: We are in stoppage time in the first half and Preston have been given a free kick in their own half. This will be the last action of a half that has been evenly matched.
42 mins: Cardiff get a free kick and Peter Whittingham plays in a teasing ball which takes a touch from a Preston body on the way through and goes out for a corner. Whittingham then takes the corner but it is cleared well by Neill Collins.
39 mins: Preston again get a throwing down in the Cardiff half. Davidson takes the throwing and receives the ball back, plays a good one-two with Parry who passes the ball in. Chaplow has an effort which is blocked and the ball then falls to Tonge who drags his shot wide. Good pressure again by the Lilywhites.
37 mins: Cardiff come close to open the scoring soon after when Chopra is given acres of space on the right hand side. He creeps into the penalty area but slightly scuffs his shot after good pressure from Davidson.
35 mins: Chaplow with a great chance. Davidson takes a quick throwing to Chaplow who finds some space on the edge of the area, his drilled shot is saved by Marshall but less than convincingly as he parrys the ball wide.
32 mins: A bit of a shakey couple of minutes for North End who have found themselves on the back foot. Bothroyd is looking dangerous up front for the Bluebirds who are continuing to apply pressure on the Lilywhites backline.
30 mins: Marshall throws the ball out quickly who catch North End on the break. The ball is played quickly to Bothroyd who has acres of space but his shot is dragged wide. This was dangerous for Preston who were caught on the counter attack then but Cardiff were unable to capitalise.
29 mins: Free kick for North End now. It is a bit too far out for a shot but Wallace plays a quick free kick down the line to Tonge who hangs the ball up in the air towards the back post but Marshall climbs the highest and plucks the ball out of the air.
27 mins: Davidson is adjudged to have fouled Bothroyd outside of the penalty area. Whittingham takes the free kick outside of the area which goes around the wall but into the welcome arms of Lonergan.
26 mins: The game has slowed donw a little with both sides trying to get their foot on the ball and carve out a chance.
23 mins: Another free kick for Cardiff in a dangerous area, the ball is whipped in by McNaughton but Parkin is on defensive duty and he heads the ball away.
20 mins: Chaplow is just taken down in the Preston half and this gives me time to reflect on the game so far. Parkin has had the clearest chance so far in a game which has seen two sides go forward rather cautiously, not allowing themselves to be hit on the break.
18 mins: McNaughton just whips a teasing ball towards the back post for Cardiff but Lonergan again watches the ball go out for a goal kick. Entertaining game so far with Parkin having the best chance of the game so far.
15 mins: Goal disallowed for North End. The corner is played in from Wallace into a crowd of players but the referee blows his whistle just before the ball is bundled into the net. It is unclear who got the final touch but it is clear that a Cardiff player was bundled over in the proccess. Good pressure from North End!
14 mins: Continued pressure by North End see's them have two corners in a row...
13 mins: Great chance for Parkin. A poor back pass by Cardiff is met by Parkin who latches onto the ball and his looping shot forces an excellent save out of David Marshall.
10 mins: Chopra receives the ball on the edge of the area and attempts to slot the ball in the bottom right corner but Lonergan watches the ball roll wide of his post.
9 mins: As soon as I say that Cardiff have the first opportunity as Scimeca gets the ball on the edge of the area but his loops over the bar.
8 mins: This game is mainly being played in the centre of the park at the moment with no side having any clear cut chances.5 mins: Tonge has just given a free kick away around 35 yards from goal. Whittingham whips the ball in but Cardiff are penalised for a foul on Collins in the penalty area.
3 mins: Bothroyd almost played through by Chopra but Lonergan is out quick and is able to usher the ball out for a goal kick.
2 mins: Steady start to the game but North End have enjoyed most of the posession.
1 min: I have just got to mention, the Cardiff kit is bright pink, David Marshall is brave to wear it!!
1500: And we're off!!!
1459: That's a better reception for Paul Parry who has just had his name read out over the tannoy.
1457: The teams are out and have lined up in front of us with Preston wearing the red away kit and Cardiff wearing their home colours of blue and white.
1455: The ground is filling up and the crowd is in good voice here at the new home of Cardiff City. Preston will ideally love three points going into two home games next week against Derby County and then Plymouth Argyle.
1453: The rain is pouring onto this pitch so the ball is going to zip about this afternoon.
1449: Today's strike partnership is a rare one and the last time Irvine started Parkin and Elliott together was in North End's 3-1 loss at Scunthorpe at the start of the season.
1445: Anyway back to the serious stuff here in Cardiff. The players are heading back into the changing room now as we approach kick-off. You feel that this is a very important game for both teams today who haven't been in the best form of recent games. However, North End have had two encouraging performances against Newcastle and Blackpool so most feel that a victory is just around the corner.
1444: News is in that Burnley have just lost 2-0 away at Pompey...
1441: The players are currently in the middle of their warm up as the ground begins to fill. Parry got a mixed reception with the Cardiff fans but North End fans will be hoping that he will break Bluebirds hearts today on his first return to the club since his departure to
Deepdale.
1438: I stand corrected on Forest, the game is still going on but I'm sure the Foxes fans wish that it wasn't, Leicester now find themselves 5-1 down!
1437: Chaplow and Tonge continue to to feature on the middle of midfield for North End and Wallace as come is fit after hobbling off last week against Blackpool.
1433: So Irvine is confronting Preston's recent struggle to find goals by going with a new front pairing of Parkin and Elliott. Also, Chilvers returns to the side in place of Nolan afte recovering from illness and Parry is in to play against his former club.
1432: Cardiff's bench consists of Enckleman, Kennedy, Rae, Etuhu, Taiwo, Matthews and McCormack.
1426: North End's bench consists of Henderson, Hart, Sedgwick, Shumulikoski, Brown, Nolan, Mellor. That means there are four changes for North End with a new partnership up front of Elliott and Parkin.
1421: Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Whittingham, Chopra, Bothroyd, Burke, Gerrard, Ledley, Scimeca.
1420: PNE: Lonergan, Davidson (c), Collins, Chilvers, Jones, Parry, Tonge, Chaplow, Wallace, Elliott, Parkin.
1418: The team news is now in...
1417: It has just filtered through that Nottingham Forest have beaten Leicester City 4-0, with Rob Earnshaw scoring a hat-trick. North End of course travel to Forest in a couple of weeks time so the tough games keep on coming for
Alan Irvine's men.
14115: This game has been hyped in so many different ways. It is of course the return of Paul Parry who spent many years in this part of Wales and for these Cardiff fans today, it is a chance for Dave Jones' side to put last year's 6-0 drubbing at
Deepdale well and truly to bed.
1409: The goalkeeper's are out doing their warm up as the floodlights are lit in this glorious new stadium. Upon arrival, I had my fill of lamb, veg, mashed potato and gravy so now all that is left to feast on is a fascinating contest between the Bluebirds and the Lilywhites.
1402: Hello and welcome to pne.com's minute-by-minute account of Cardiff City vs Preston North End. I will bring you the team news as soon as I receive it here at the Cardiff City Stadium.
