Saturday’s game at Hillsborough was a frustrating one for Preston North End and their supporters.
Fernando Forestieri’s header had put Sheffield Wednesday in front with less than ten minutes played of the Championship match, but was later sent off following an off-the-ball incident with Ben Pearson.
Despite the numerical advantage, Preston were unable to find an equaliser and found themselves fall even further behind when Steven Fletcher tucked away a 79th minute penalty.
Hopes of salvaging a draw were briefly raised in the away end when Dubliner Eoin Doyle pulled one back, but any optimism the visiting supporters may have had soon disappeared.
Minutes later, former League of Ireland player Doyle failed to play in teammate Jermaine Beckford, much to the annoyance of the former Leeds, Everton and Leicester frontman. Angry words were exchanged before the pair came to blows, drawing comparisons with David Batty’s exchange with Graeme Le Saux and Kieron Dyer’s tangle with Lee Bowyer.
Fight! 😡 Preston team-mates Jermaine Beckford and Eoin Doyle are both sent off for clashing in the side's defeat at Hillsborough. pic.twitter.com/QNxh6SY4Wn
— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) December 3, 2016
Unsurprisingly, both players were given straight red cards for the their troubles, wiping out any faint hopes of Preston taking anything from the game.
Not a proud moment for either of them.
