Sean Maguire felt everyone played their part as Preston North End produced a stunning fightback to overturn Brentford’s two-goal half-time lead and record a 4-2 win on their first trip to Brentford Community Stadium.
Ivan Toney’s first half brace was cancelled out by a Scott Sinclair double by the hour mark and Maguire later completed the scoring after Brad Potts had given the visitors the lead.
Despite going in with work to do at the break, the Irishman felt North End had always been in control and revealed how he and his team-mates felt they were still well in the game.
“I think throughout the game, we controlled it,” North End’s No.24 told iFollow PNE. “We found ourselves very unlucky to be 2-0 down I suppose.
“I had two half chances where I probably should have made the ‘keeper work a little bit more but even when we came in at half-time, the gaffer was like, ‘We can’t be too critical, from one to 11, we’ve done well and created chances, but they’ve finished their two goals.’
“We didn’t want to be too disappointed, we felt that we were still definitely in the game and it showed in the second half.
“That first half an hour in the second half is probably the best we’ve played since I’ve been here and I’ve been here three years. We could have even kicked on a little bit more and got another couple more.”
The forward was also delighted not only to register a first away win against the Bees during his time in PR1, but for the team to get their first win on the board in the Championship this term.
“It was good to not just beat Brentford for the first time since I’ve been here away from home, but to just get that first win of the season and on a personal note good to score as well because I felt I could have done better with the two chances I got in the first half to make the ‘keeper work a little bit harder. But as a whole, we’re very, very happy.”
Maguire was full of praise for his team-mates all across the pitch; from his full backs who played an influential role in the build-up of the gfirst and second goals, fellow goalscorers Sinclair and Potts, and new arrival Emil Riis Jakobsen off the substitutes’ bench.
“It felt like any chance we were getting in the second half, we were putting it away. Scotty’s got in the right place at the right time for his two goals and it just gave everyone a lift.
“Pottsy has done brilliant and Ryan has made an unbelievable run on the outside; he’s dragged the defender and opened that space up for Pottsy and Pottsy has sent the ‘keeper for a biscuit! The ‘keeper thought he was whipping it in the far corner, he’s gone to the near corner and I’m delighted for Pottsy as well.
“I felt that the two full backs played a massive, massive role in how we did today. These quality Brentford players, the wingers get on the half turn and the boys were right in their faces and especially for one of the goal; Hughesy won it high up and we ended up scoring.
“And same again; Raff whips it into Pat, Pat heads it down to Scotty and we’re back in the game. I think from Dec to myself, I think everyone was brilliant today and Emil made a big impact when he came on. He’s only been here a couple of days but he’s looked really sharp and it’s good for him now to have a couple of weeks’ training before that Cardiff game.”
Maguire admitted to having some disappointment that he has not been included in the latest Republic of Ireland international squad but took solace from the prospect of a rare break and chance to recharge for North End’s next at home to Cardiff City later this month.
“It’s probably the first time when I’ve been at Preston where I’ve had a break to chill out or whatever.
“You find yourself disappointed not getting picked but I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing and that’s putting the ball in the back of the net, playing games and hopefully I’ve made an impression in any way I can.
“I’ll look forward to a little break now and refocus to the games after the international break.”
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