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Preston finally promoted as Jermaine Beckford runs riot against Swindon Preston finally promoted as Jermaine Beckford runs riot against Swindon
(about 1 hour later)
Half an hour of this contest still had to be played but Preston’s supporters knew their play-off jinx was finally over. They had just seen Jermaine Beckford sweep the ball in to complete a hat-trick and put his team 4-0 up and, almost as one, those in white rose to their feet and chanted: “We are going up! We are going up!” The sense of joy and relief was tangible.Half an hour of this contest still had to be played but Preston’s supporters knew their play-off jinx was finally over. They had just seen Jermaine Beckford sweep the ball in to complete a hat-trick and put his team 4-0 up and, almost as one, those in white rose to their feet and chanted: “We are going up! We are going up!” The sense of joy and relief was tangible.
On nine previous occasions Preston have attempted to secure promotion via the play-offs and every time they have been denied. It has become a weight on the club’s shoulders, a sequence they have been desperate to destroy, and Simon Grayson’s men did just that here. They were simply too much for Swindon, from first minute to last, playing with a level of intensity and ruthlessness that had Mark Cooper’s men gasping for air as early as the third minute, when Beckford struck for the first time. It was 3-0 by half-time and, ultimately, it could be said justice was done given Preston narrowly missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the League One season and finished 10 points above Swindon. Whichever way you look at it, they fully deserve this long-awaited triumph. On nine previous occasions Preston have attempted to secure promotion via the play-offs and every time they have been denied. It has become a weight on the club’s shoulders, a sequence they have been desperate to end, and Simon Grayson’s men did just that here.
They were simply too much for Swindon, from first minute to last, playing with a level of intensity and ruthlessness that had Mark Cooper’s men gasping for air as early as the third minute, when Beckford struck for the first time. It was 3-0 by half-time and, ultimately, it could be said justice was done given Preston narrowly missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the League One season and finished 10 points above Swindon. Whichever way you look at it, they fully deserve this long-awaited triumph.
“We had two weeks to prepare for this match and it’s full credit to the players that they turned up on the day and executed the gameplan to a tee,” said Grayson. “We showed character and determination and finished off a job we should have completed two weeks ago.”“We had two weeks to prepare for this match and it’s full credit to the players that they turned up on the day and executed the gameplan to a tee,” said Grayson. “We showed character and determination and finished off a job we should have completed two weeks ago.”
Beckford was the undoubted star. Cooper said as much when he identified the forward as the fundamental reason why his team were so soundly beaten, and on a muggy evening came a display to remind people why five years ago he was being signed by Everton and deemed good enough to play in the Premier League.Beckford was the undoubted star. Cooper said as much when he identified the forward as the fundamental reason why his team were so soundly beaten, and on a muggy evening came a display to remind people why five years ago he was being signed by Everton and deemed good enough to play in the Premier League.
The 31-year-old was a constant menace as part of Preston’s three-man attack alongside Paul Gallagher and Joe Garner, bullying defenders, running into space and, crucially, scoring goals. His first was a close-range finish from a free-kick he won himself, while the second was a precisely placed curled finish from the edge of the area after he had quickly turned Jordan Turnbull. The third was a left-footed finish into the far corner of the net after he had been sent clean through by Garner, and with it came a place in the history books as he became just the third player to score a hat-trick in a Wembley play-off final, following on from Clive Mendonca and Scott Sinclair. The 31-year-old was a constant menace as part of Preston’s three-man attack alongside Paul Gallagher and Joe Garner, bullying defenders, running into space and, crucially, scoring goals. His first was a close-range finish from a free-kick he won himself, while the second was a precisely placed curled finish from the edge of the area after he had quickly turned Jordan Turnbull.
Not surprisingly Beckford was given a standing ovation from the Preston fans upon being substituted on 67 minutes – with two fans later accused of taking the shirt he had given to a young boy upon taking his place on the bench and immediately putting it on eBay. Having now scored 18 goals since arriving from Bolton on loan in November Preston’s hope will be that he is part of the club’s Championship squad next season. Beckford has already been told by his parent club that he is no longer required there. The third was a left-footed finish into the far corner of the net after he had been sent clean through by Garner, and with it came a place in the history books as he became just the third player to score a hat-trick in a Wembley play-off final, following on from Charlton’s Clive Mendonca and Swansea’s Scott Sinclair.
Not surprisingly Beckford was given a standing ovation from the Preston fans upon being substituted on 67 minutes – with two fans later accused of taking the shirt he had given to a young boy upon finding his place on the bench and immediately putting it on eBay. Having now scored 18 goals since arriving from Bolton on loan in November Preston’s hope will be that he is part of the club’s Championship squad next season. Beckford has already been told by his parent club that he is no longer required there.
“[Getting promoted] makes it easier to keep Jermaine as we can now compete financially,” said Grayson. “But money has never been his motivation, he just wants to enjoy what he’s doing and that’s what he has here. We have a special relationship and I hope we can keep that going.”“[Getting promoted] makes it easier to keep Jermaine as we can now compete financially,” said Grayson. “But money has never been his motivation, he just wants to enjoy what he’s doing and that’s what he has here. We have a special relationship and I hope we can keep that going.”
Another player Grayson will hope he can now keep is Paul Gallagher, who is on loan from Sheffield United and made a telling contribution prior to being replaced on 37 minutes after taking a kick to the calf. Having set up Beckford for the opener with a left-sided delivery, he did the same 10 minutes later, this time putting in a cross that Paul Huntington converted from close-range with the inside of his knee. Another player Grayson will hope he can now keep is Gallagher, who is on loan from Sheffield United and made a telling contribution prior to being replaced on 37 minutes after taking a kick to the calf. Having set up Beckford for the opener with a left-sided delivery, he did the same 10 minutes later, this time putting in a cross that Paul Huntington converted from close-range with the inside of his knee.
He was completely unmarked as he struck, which summed up Swindon’s sloppiness and lack of focus on a day when, as Cooper admitted, the team let themselves down. Huntington was completely unmarked as he struck, which summed up Swindon’s sloppiness and lack of focus on a day when, as Cooper admitted, the team let themselves down.
Having conceded five times in their madcap semi-final second leg tie against Sheffield United, the Robins were far too open again at the back, while going forward they rarely looked liked the fluid, possession-based team that secured fourth place in League One against all expectations. Having conceded five times in their madcap semi-final second leg tie against Sheffield United, the Robins were far too open again at the back, while going forward they rarely looked liked the fluid, possession-based team that had secured fourth place in League One against all expectations.
In fairness, they were put off their stride by a Preston side that displayed ravenous hunger all over the pitch, and in particular in midfield where Neil Kilkenny, John Welsh and Daniel Johnson made numerous interceptions and tackles whenever their opponents in red did advance. Indeed it was telling that Swindon had their first, and only, effort on target in the 65th minute – a Jonathan Obika header that was comfortably held by Sam Johnstone.In fairness, they were put off their stride by a Preston side that displayed ravenous hunger all over the pitch, and in particular in midfield where Neil Kilkenny, John Welsh and Daniel Johnson made numerous interceptions and tackles whenever their opponents in red did advance. Indeed it was telling that Swindon had their first, and only, effort on target in the 65th minute – a Jonathan Obika header that was comfortably held by Sam Johnstone.
“The players are sore but they should feel proud, we’ve had a brilliant season,” said Cooper. Not as brilliant as Preston, though. They have been promoted via the play-offs. Finally.“The players are sore but they should feel proud, we’ve had a brilliant season,” said Cooper. Not as brilliant as Preston, though. They have been promoted via the play-offs. Finally.