Sean Maguire’s wait for his first Championship goal goes on, but his performance for Preston against Reading on Saturday was extremely encouraging.
The former Cork City striker earned his second start for the Lilywhites at Deepdale on the right of a front four with Jordan Hugill, Tom Barkhuizen and Josh Harrop – and while he was frustrated in his attempts to find the net himself, he did lay one on a plate for Hugill with a lovely cushioned header with just over twenty minutes on the clock.
Sean Maguire and Jordan Hugill combined very nicely for @pnefc‘s excellent winning goal!
➡️ @EFL highlights from 9pm on @channel5_tv. pic.twitter.com/KOELLzXUdm
— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) August 19, 2017
Furthermore, although Hugill was officially named man-of-the-match by Preston (understandably given his goal), Whosocred actually rated Maguire higher, singling him out as the star man from the match.
Although the 23-year-old didn’t get on the scoresheet, his overall work rate has definitely endeared him to the fans of his new club already.
88′ Final substitution for PNE as Sean Maguire leaves the field to rapturous applause as Mavididi makes his Deepdale debut. #pnefc 1-0
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) August 19, 2017
Brilliant #pnefc.Need to be clinical. @Seani_Maguire_ MOM for me. Hugill great,@tombarkhuizen9 great 2nd half, be disappointed not to score
— Craig McDougall (@CraigPNE88) August 19, 2017
Work rate of @Seani_Maguire_ immense at #pnefc today. Been superb.
— Chris Trucks (@chrisidaho) August 19, 2017
@Seani_Maguire_ great contribution today seani. Undoubted quality the goals will come soon enough #pnefc
— stephen holderness (@pne_ste) August 19, 2017
With Martin O’Neill due to cut his provisional 39-man Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in the near future, Maguire has done his chances of being named in the final squad no harm at all with this performance.
