AFTER reaching the summit of League One on Tuesday night, Town head into Saturday’s clash with Preston North End under the stewardship of Darren Ward and Tommy Miller.
After a 4-1 reverse at Deepdale earlier in the campaign, Swindon will be looking to put the record straight in front of their own fans at The County Ground.
THE VIEW
Speaking to STFC Player ahead of the match, interim manager Tommy Miller revealed they are relishing their first crack at management.
“We’re looking forward to the game,” he said. “The lads have trained very well and we’ll be ready for Saturday.
“Preston will come here with a new manager in Simon Grayson who I know well from last season. It’s going to be a tough game but as long as we get the lads right and ready for the game we’ll have a great chance.”
Darren Ward added: “It’s a great opportunity. It’s hard to get there (to the top of League One) but it’s harder to stay there. We’re fully focused as always and we’re going to give it our best shot.”
THE STORY SO FAR
Simon Grayson takes charge of a Preston side for the first time this Saturday and will hope to build on the Lillywhites’ 2-0 win over high-flying Bournemouth last weekend.
Prior to their victory over the Cherries, North End had only won once in 2013: a 1-0 win at Hartlepool on New Year’s Day.
After their win over Swindon earlier in the campaign, Graham Westley’s side recorded a mixed run of wins, draws and defeats but as the season moved into 2013, a run that yielded one point from six games prompted the hierarchy at Deepdale to sack the former Stevenage boss.
LAST TIME OUT
The last meeting between the two sides was one to forget for Swindon supporters as they were beaten 4-1 at Deepdale at the start of September. Raffaele De Vita notched Town’s only goal of the game.
This will be Preston’s first visit to Wiltshire since December 1985 when the two sides faced each other in Swindon’s Fourth Division title-winning season. On that occasion, Lou Macari’s side triumphed by four goals to one thanks to a hat-trick from Charlie Henry and penalty from Nicky Coleman.
The Lillywhites’ last win at SN1 was in March 1978. With both sides in the top ten and aiming for promotion from Division Three, the visitors came away from Wiltshire with a 2-0 win.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available either in person from the STFC Box Office or by calling 0871 876 1993. Alternatively you can buy online by clicking
here.
PLEASE NOTE - the match is ALL TICKET for away supporters. Preston supporters still wishing to buy tickets must purchase tickets before 5pm on Friday by calling the STFC Box Office on 0871 876 1993. Tickets purchased can be collected on the day of the game at the pre-booked away ticket window at the Excalibur Stand.