PNEWFC got off to a flying start in their first pre season game, with a convincing 8-0 victory away at Kettering Town Ladies. The game was played in sweltering conditions and was the first opportunity for new head coach Andy Burgess to look at his team in action.
The match was played in an unfamiliar format, with three 40 minute periods, so it would benefit both teams’ fitness levels and give all the players a run out.
From the outset Preston took control of the game, and it was noticeable that the Lilywhites would command proceedings. Captain Vikki Eastwood, who was causing Kettering full back Abigail Cartwright problems down the left wing, nearly grabbed the opener inside the first 10 minutes. Eastwood made an advanced run from left back but miss hit her cross, which in the process turned into a shot, rattling the home side’s bar.
North End retained possession well, stroking the ball around with ease in midfield but struggled to convert in front of goal with several opportunities wasted.
The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute thanks to Hannah Bailey with a superbly taken finish. Preston exposed Kettering once more down the left hand side as Eastwood played a delightful ball over the top of the defence for Bailey to latch onto. Bailey with still a lot of work to do, and under pressure from Kirsty Linnel cheekily chipped the ball over keeper Mel Pinnington to give the away side the lead.
Bailey made it two goals in as many minutes with a thunderous strike as North End started to find their rhythm. The Poppies failed to clear the ball following another Eastwood cross, and Bailey capitalised on the mistake firing an unstoppable shot under Pinnington.
The prolific striker was determined to grab that illusive first half hat trick and was unlucky not to just before the break. Bailey struck a speculative shot which narrowly went over from just outside the penalty area following a good delivery from debutant Tammy Burgess.
Head coach Andy Burgess made eight changes at the first interval with only Bailey, Jenny Wootton and goalkeeper Danielle Gibbons retaining their place.
Substitute Jess Clayton, who has come up through the ranks made a big impression when introduced. The young midfielder, who is only 16, looked very calm on the ball and certainly looks a great prospect for Preston.
Preston made it three in the 57th minute as Bailey grabbed an impressive hat trick. The goal was created from winger Laura Walker, who went on a tantalising jinxing past full back Cartwright into acres of space on the right hand side. Walker then played the ball into the box to Bailey, who got infront of her marker to tap the ball home.
The victory was ensured just before the end of the second period with potentially the goal of the game. Captain for the second period Sarah Berry drove a low shot from the edge of the 16 yard box into the bottom right hand corner following a great passing move by North End.
For the final period of the game, ex Rushden and Luton midfielder Burgess gave all the players a last run out, making substitutions at the 100 minute mark.
Lynette Craig was the scorer of the Lilywhites fifth goal as she cleverly rounded the Kettering goalkeeper to tap the ball into an empty goal.
Midfielder Chantelle O’ Hara was denied her first of the afternoon following a superb reaction save from Pinnington. O’ Hara cleverly hit the shot with the outside of her foot, 25 yards out but the keeper was equal to it to turn the ball round the post.
Number six was soon the case, as Sam Cadwallader joined Bailey, Berry and Craig on the score sheet. A quick throw in by ex Sheff Wed defender Mel Sherwood was collected by Cadwallader as she turned defender Linnel and coolly finished which any centre forward would have been proud of.
Six turned to seven as Cadwallader doubled her tally for the afternoon as she pounced on an error from Poppies goalkeeper Pinnington. The young keeper dropped an Eastwood cross and Cadwallader was quickest to react to the keeper’s mistake.
It was déjà vu two minutes later as Cadwallader and Eastwood teamed up once more to seal the victory with the seventh and Cadwallader’s hat trick goal. Unfortunately in the process of the goal, keeper Pinnington suffered a suspected broken wrist and everyone at Preston wishes her a speedy recovery.
Head coach Andy Burgess was pleased with what he saw from his team today, he said: “It is obviously going to take a bit of time for the players to get back to match fitness and match tempo but I was pleased with what I saw today, some very good individual performances and an overall good team performance. Once we got going there was some good finishing, some very well taken goals and decent play around the box. We created a fair few more chances than the score line reflects.”
Kettering: Pinnington, Lewis, Crisp - Hihn, Linnel, Chan, Cartwright, Cooper, Dwane, Penney, Cook, Lee, Rust, Griffiths, Piggolt, Wilson, Evans, Clark, Virgin, Hill.
Preston: Gibbons, Sherwood, Walker, Wootton, Eastwood, Craig, O’Hara, Burgess, Foster, Cadwallader, Bailey, Walsh, Cafferkay, Berry, Skull, Taberner, Walker, Willoughby, Clayton.
