Barrow AFC vs Preston North End on 15 Jul 23 - Match Centre

Preston North End are back at Deepdale for the first time in over two months on Wednesday evening as they host Ipswich Town for a 7pm kick-off.

It could be the first chance for the North End faithful to watch some of their new recruits, with Mads Frøkjær-Jensen and Will Keane both likely to feature.

However, Duane Holmes is set to miss out, while Calvin Ramsay will not be available as he continues the final part of his recovery from a knee injury.

PNE will be looking to improve on their last outing which saw Barrow come out 1-0 winners, while Ipswich Town drew 2-2 in their last pre-season friendly against Flyeralarm Admira in Austria.

On paper, it’ll be North End’s toughest test so far this pre-season, with the Tractor Boys back in the Championship following their promotion in the 2022/23 campaign.

Ipswich, led by former Manchester United assistant manager Kieran McKenna, ended their four-year stint in League One in style, by accumulating 98 points in what was a fantastic season for the East Anglian side.

They’ve strengthened since their promotion, too, adding midfielder Jack Taylor to the ranks from Peterborough United and signing former loanee George Hirst on a permanent basis from Leicester City.

Match Information

Tickets will remain on sale for this match right up until kick-off, priced at £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for U11s.

These can be purchased in person from the ticket office at Deepdale, over the phone on 0344 856 1966 and online from www.mypne.com.

Due to the ongoing work on the Alan Kelly Town End roof, the stand will not be open and therefore no season card seats were reserved. Please also note, this fixture is not included in your season card so supporters wishing to attend will need to buy a match ticket.

If you can’t make it to the match, you can watch live on iFollow PNE with a £5 video match pass. Commentary will come from Guy Clarke and Andy Fensome.

Unfortunately Preston Hospital Radio are unable to provide the audio descriptive commentary for this fixture or the Aberdeen friendly, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to those who use the service.

A 32-page matchday programme, featuring an exclusive chat with cover star Mads Frøkjær-Jensen, will be on sale for £2.50 from around the ground on Wednesday, and you can also buy online. The latest issue of The One And Only is a double header programme for both of North End's friendlies taking place at Deepdale this week.

Supporters can also take in the pre-match atmosphere in the Gentry Bar, which will be open to PNE supporters from 4.30pm on Wednesday, with duo On The Edge performing live music pre-match. The Gentry Bar will then reopen after the match, closing at 10.15pm.

More details regarding the food and drink offerings at Deepdale will be confirmed in the Matchday Information article, which will be published ahead of your arrival at the ground.

Preston North End were beaten for the first time in pre-season at the SO Legal Stadium as Barrow won 1-0.

A strong North End side was fielded in wet and windy conditions in Cumbria, but David Worrall’s fifth-minute goal proved enough to earn victory for the hosts.

There weren’t any debuts handed to the three new arrivals of the week, as Will Keane was an unused substitute, and Duane Holmes and Mads Frøkjær-Jensen were not involved, as expected.

New man Calvin Ramsay was also in attendance on the first official day of his loan from Liverpool, however he didn’t see his new side get off to a good start.

The hosts went ahead inside just five minutes courtesy of Worrall, who was able to tap home a simple finish at the far past after the ball had been squared by Ged Garner.

North End were inches away from drawing level just a few minutes later through Brad Potts, but his header on the end of Robbie Brady’s cross fell just wide of goal.

The same pair linked up again on 21 minutes with Potts’ header this time falling to Ben Woodburn who struck goalwards first time, however Tyrell Warren made a vital block on the goal-line to maintain his side’s lead.

Barrow could have found their second of the game when Elliot Newby received the ball in space on the left side of the box and he fired it across the face of goal, narrowly missing Garner at the far post.

Home goalkeeper Paul Farman made two good stops shortly before the break, firstly keeping out Ben Woodburn’s close-range effort before a fantastic 25-yard free-kick from Brady was parried wide.

Freddie Woodman made a good stop himself in the 56^th minute, denying Newby with a clever save down low to his left.

At the other end, North End were being restricted to efforts from distance, with Brady and Woodburn both trying their luck but striking off target.

Half-time substitute Mikey O’Neill had a good opportunity in the 79^th minute to draw his side level after being found by Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile. The striker, however, dragged his effort wide of goal.

North End’s 16-year-old forward then nearly got on the scoresheet in the next attack, being sent through on goal and firing a shot just the wrong side of the post, and that proved to be the last chance of note as Barrow came out on top.

PNE line-up: Woodman; Diaby (Cunningham, 67), Bauer (Storey, 46), Slater (Best, 46); Potts (Mawene, 78), McCann, Ledson (Taylor, 67), Browne (Kamara, 78), Brady (Seary, 73); Nelson (O’Neill, 46), Woodburn (Rodriguez-Gentile, 78). Subs not used: Pradic, Keane.

Attendance: 2,026.

Preston North End

Match Preview: Ipswich Town (H)

Match Report: Barrow AFC 1 PNE 0

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