[P]enrith were made to work very hard for the points against a much improved Preston team. Penrith lacked match sharpness having not had a game for 3 weeks while Preston came into the game on the back of 3 straight victories.
Right from the Kick off Preston refused to allow Penrith any time on the ball and constantly closed them down with a robust physical approach. Penrith resorted to playing down the channels and this proved fruitful mid way through the half when Nat Broad timed her run to get behind the Preston defence before rounding the keeper to score.
Preston deservedly equalised before half time when they seized on a poor Penrith clearance and their striker fired home from distance.
Ht 1-1
Into the 2nd half Preston’s pressing tactics eased somewhat as they tired. This allowed Penrith a little more time on the ball and they began to enjoy more possession and showed more attacking intent.
Much of the play continued to take place in the middle third of the pitch with both teams looking for that bit of quality to win the game. In the 75th minute Penrith grabbed the initiative. Georgia Campbell’s constant threat on the right finally paid dividends when her cross found Clare Almond at the back post who headed home.
Penrith professionally closed the game out limiting Preston’s opportunities before sealing the game with the final kick of the match when Nat Borad squared the ball to Hannah Coulthard to make it 1-3.
3 hard earned points and credit to Preston who could easily have taken something from this game.
Penrith : Lawson, Nelson, Alderson, C.Smith, McCormick, Fawkes, Campbell, S.Smith(Coulthard), Hopton, Broad, Almond.
