Wycombe Wanderers vs Preston North End. The FA Cup Third Round.
Adams ParkAttendance4,928.
Saturday 6 January 2018 18:21, UK
Josh Harrop and Alan Browne both scored twice as Preston crushed Wycombe 5-1 at Adams Park in an FA Cup third-round tie they controlled almost from start to finish.
Preston were ahead after just 87 seconds when Harrop bent a beautiful free-kick into the top corner from around 25 yards, giving Scott Brown no chance.
The Lilywhites were well on top when they doubled their lead as Joe Jacobson's clearance fell to Browne, who powered a magnificent half-volley into the top corner.
Wycombe gave themselves some hope just before the break when Luke O'Nien's cross-shot from a tight angle was deflected into his own net by Daryl Horgan.
But the Preston winger redeemed himself by forcing an own goal out of Dan Scarr five minutes into the second half to restore Preston's two-goal buffer.
And the visitors went on to run up an emphatic scoreline as Browne buried a penalty after Paul Huntington was fouled by Scarr, before Harrop headed in an excellent cross by Greg Cunningham.
Preston boss Alex Neil was impressed with the quality of his side's goals.
"Whenever you come away to any lower-league opposition, the first thing you're going to have to do is match them for effort, endeavour, willingness to win and willingness to work," he said.
"We did all that and what we've got is some real quality players within our group and I thought that shone and came through.
"I thought the standard of some of the goals was excellent."
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth said: "The upset went out of the window in the first minute and we were outdone by a much better team today.
"Fair play to Alex Neil, he's got his team working really well.
"It's the best Preston team I've seen for a long, long time and I think they've got a real chance this year of making the play-offs.
"I think it shows the gulf in class between the leagues - we're playing one of the form teams of the Championship and it really did tell.
"They were excellent today and we were beaten by the better team."
