The Branch: April 2012

Saturday 28 April 2012

45th round, League One

Preston North End FC 2 - 2 Charlton Athletic

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 12.029
Goals: P: Hunt `57 Alexander `90 C: Haynes `11 N`Guessan `37

Read full match report here

Saturday 21 April 2012

44th round, League One

Oldham Athletic 1 - 1 Preston North End FC

Boundary Park
Attendance: 4.824
Golas: P: Holroyd `79 O: Simpson `69

Read full match report here

Thursday 19 April 2012

2011/2012, Huddersfield at home

NB & CSC fighting under the same flag

Back in Preston

It was time to come back. Back to proud Preston. The pride of Lancashire. After a long time appart two members of the Branch got on the tram, the bus, the plane and in a taxi to once again see North End go to war.

Everything was like it used to be. Get home from work. Get the necessities together. Passports and tickets. Neck a couple of beers befor getting on the crowded Ryan Air flight and grab a cab. Find the Holliday In and go to sleep.

But one thing was going to be different this time around. 10:00 A tweet just in - "Ready for a drink boys?"

Sunny Preston 12:30, a coffee and a sandwich down and off to The Old Black Bull to meet up with the CSC - Civil Service Crew. Present was Paul, Phil, Andrew, Tim, Graham, Tom and Lee. What to expect from the hardcore Preston faithfull?! Would the 19th century vikings be taken kidly to? A couple of beers later and it was pretty clear - the Branch and the CSC is a spot on match. 3-4 more beers down and into a cab. Off to Deepdale!

All whites holding the line

The match
Allthough the Branch was undefeated at Deepdale nothing looked up before the face off. Huddersfield was gunning for promotion and we where still strugeling to score, or to even create chances to score.
The Huddersfield fans had the entire Shankley Kop to themselves but didn`t put up the wast numbers Preston did at their visit to Yorkshire. A group of Hudds felt like focusing on the far right part of the Invincible stand, where the Branch was located. But like the match on the pitch it did not go well.

Huddersfield lads acting up

Football should be watched standing up, so that you went through all the trouble with old Bill is appreciated, but lads get you flag strightened out. Good luck in the play offs. And if it doesn`t work out - see you next year! Look for the blue cross and the red helmet.

Preston won the game 1-0 after a goal scored by Roberts 10 min into the 2nd half. The Branch went apeshit with John & John when celebrating the goal. Euforic! To be back and still undefeated. Damn good! Also had a nice chat with Mrs. M and her family during half time.

How to raise a flag

The aftermath
After the game we headed towards The Unicorn - a great pub with friendly people who took us in as their own. Here we got our first ever tast of sas, a pink drink that makes you feel like a five year old at his own birthday party. Here we met Ted, former red now Preston season ticket holder. The flag was hung up next to the pool table and the good times kept on rolling.

At The Unicorn

After a couple of pints at The Unicorn we turned are heads towards town and continued the pub run around central Preston, meeting up with Matthew, Mark and Mr. Deepdale. Last mentioned has watched Preston play at 110 different grounds. Respect. At some poor excuse of a bar Ben, the youngest member of the Branch, altough over 18 was denied beer which led to a 10 man strong exit. No questions asked, the CSC stands behind their mates.

Last memorable event of the night took place when Ben again got denied at some bar because his id card of choice was a Norwegian bank card and not his passport. After being told to go somewhere else Paul got the main gatekeepers attention and he put it all straight: "If you have made this big of an effort to forge a bank card you are more than welcome at this etablishment!". You gotta luv Preston.

From victory to more glory

After the night coming to an end we retired back to the Holiday In with a footlong sub and smiles on our faces. We used to keep to ourselves when visiting Preston, keeping our heads low and staying out of trouble. If possible we will keep out of trouble but we`ll always be drinking with the CSC when coming to town. Great lads giving you the benefit of the doubt and giving you time to show you metal. Looking forward to seeing you all again. Thanks to Paul, Phil, Andrew, Tim, Graham, Tom, Lee, Matthew, Mark and Mr. Deepdale for a great weekend! A special thanks to Paul for having faith in the vikings. And John - we`ll have a beer next time around.