It’s 12 months since tonight’s match official last took charge of a game at Deepdale, with Oliver Langford appointed as the match referee.
West Midlands official Oliver last took charge of our Tuesday night clash with then league leaders Cardiff City at Deepdale in September 2017, when the Lilywhites ran out 3-0 winners against Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds.
The previous season he took charge of three North End games. His first was the live Sky victory over Wigan Athletic back in September 2016, his second, our first match of the new year, at Burton Albion on 2nd January and his third the goalless draw away at Barnsley in February.
He also twice took charge of the Lilywhites in 2015/16; the goalless draw against Derby County, when goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard made his debut for the club, and the April trip to Middlesbrough, so this is his second PNE versus Boro match in his career.
His first game in change of North End before that was the clash with Swindon at the County Ground in November 2014.
So far this season he has taken charge of six fixtures, including Boro’s 2-0 win at Bristol City back in August, issuing 12 cautions and one sending off.
He will be assisted by Akil Howson and Robert Merchant, with David Webb the fourth official for the game under the Deepdale floodlights.