After winning their first five games including a thrilling match against last year’s U10 champions Blackpool, which PNE eventually won 4-2, expectations were high for their first encounter with Manchester United Girls in the 2006/7 season. The game started with a concerted period of Man Utd pressure and Holly O in the Preston goal was forced to make a number of vital saves, including a great shot from United’s No. 10 (Katy) which she palmed round the post for a corner. Despite Holly’s brave efforts and great tackling from Helen S in the heart of Preston defence PNE went one down after 15 minutes, the ball poked home by a United player during a scramble in the PNE goalmouth. Preston then rallied and applied some pressure on the Man United goal. Olivia M led the charge down the left and Hannah C broke through down the middle and had a shot blocked. With 20 minutes on the clock Gemma B struck a beauty from the left corner of the penalty area, the ball flew over the keeper and dipped just below the bar and into the back of the goal to bring PNE level. Holly was then forced to make another great diving finger tip save for PNE at the other end just prior to half time. In the second half Lucy C-C came on together with Jade C-S and Charis C. Jade and Charis worked tirelessly down the left to keep United at bay. Lucy held the ball confidently in the middle of the pitch and distributed the ball well to her teammates. But Man Utd continued to dominate midfield and their No.10 again forced a good save from Holly. With 12 minutes on the clock in the second half an uncharacteristic mix up between the PNE defenders let a Man United forward through and, as Holly dived at her feet bravely, she poked the ball into the net. A few minutes later PNE again let the Man United No 10 run through and from just inside the area she struck the ball clinically inside the left hand post. With the score line at 3 – 1 and with only 15 minutes of the half remaining PNE manager Peter Millington threw caution to the wind and moved Helen up front to spearhead the attack. This brought a period of pressure for North End and they won a series of corners. Gemma B hit the bar from long range, Hannah got through with only the keeper to beat but struck it straight at her and Emily L struck a powerful shot on target from the left but unfortunately again the ball went straight at the keeper. PNE were then caught on the break and United’s No.10 once again broke through and slotted the ball past Holly to make it 4-1 to United. But North End were back into the game only moments later when a great turn just inside the box by Emily L gave her some room and, from a narrow angle, Emily blasted the ball into the roof of the net. PNE forced a further series of corners at the end of the match and the visitors were forced to defend in numbers. Just before the final whistle Hannah C struck a great dipping volley from 10 yards out but this was again well saved by the Man United keeper. ------- The views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC. | 
