PNE’s Academy put in a dominant display beating Oldham 1-4, thanks to goals from Bradley Roscoe, Sam Livesey and a brace from Eddie Dsane.
Nick Harrison’s side had a refreshed look about them, showing a whole new desire and spirit from the first minute to the last, against a side that had beat PNE 5-0 only three weeks previously.
From the off the Lilywhites got stuck in and were first to every ball and really did set the tone for the match.
Eddie Dsane made the positive early start count after Luke Pritchard skipped past the defender on the edge of the box and squared the ball to the arriving Dsane who tapped home to make it 0-1 to the visitors.
Soon after the goalscorer received the ball with his back to goal but his turn and swivel shot wasn’t good enough to beat Oldham shotstopper Chris Renshaw.
Just as PNE were marking their authority on the game Harry Hagon was guilty of handball inside the area, which gave Jordache Walters the chance to convert from the spot which he duly obliged for 1-1.
With the scores level at 1-1 proceedings became very even with an enticing midfield battle between the sides.
Pritchard managed to cut inside from the left where he curled an effort but it was comfortable enough for Renshaw in between the sticks.
There were some strong appeals for a penalty when Dsane was brought down in the box but the referee waved away those claims.
Shortly after there was a pivotal moment in the game after PNE were dispossessed in their own half, Walters burst through on goal but Ross Dalton saved well down low when one on one.
With half-time been and gone Oldham had an early chance in the second period, when Ben Grant rattled the post with his fierce shot from 25 yards.
Early proceedings of the second half were again very even but Dsane managed to wriggle free from a couple of defenders, but he blasted his shot well over the bar.
Oldham were trying to test Preston’s defence in behind with their pace up top, but the back line were more than up for the fight and dealt with any threat posed from Oldham well.
PNE Academy then regained the lead with a well worked corner as Jonathan Lunney curled in a near post corner which was met by skipper Bradley Roscoe’s glancing flick which nestled into the bottom corner.
Pritchard then used his quick feet to dart inside his man when operating from the right but didn’t quite catch his left foot shot from range.
Nick Harrison then brought off Pritchard for a fresh pair of legs in Sam Livesey
Shortly after Preston made it 1-3 when a ball was whipped in from the left, which George Edmundson couldn’t head clear properly with Lunney challenging for the ball.
In turn the loose ball fell to Dsane 12 yards out and he blasted the ball past Renshaw to give the Lilywhites a two goal cushion.
PNE really started to dominate the game now with the defence not giving the Latics a sniff on goal and the forwards carving out chances and most importantly being clinical in front of goal.
After nabbing his second Dsane was replaced by Ben Roberts who came on and looked bright holding the ball and linking up with surging midfielders.
Towering centre back Josh Sampson had a chance at the back post from Lunney’s corner but couldn’t quite climb high enough to get over the ball and his header went just wide of the target.
Nearing the last 10 minutes PNE put the game to bed making it 1-4 thanks to an inch perfect cross from James Quigley, which was met by substitute Sam Livesey who looped his header over the advancing Renshaw.
Adam James Robinson had a chance to make it five before the final whistle when he drove towards goal down the byline, but his shot was saved when he had options on the cut back waiting.
The game finished and PNE put an end to a poor run of only one win in seven and having conceded 11 goals in their previous three games, some much needed confidence for the Academy and a comfortable win to go with it.
PNE Academy XI: Ross Dalton, Clive Smith, James Quigley, Bradley Roscoe, Josh Sampson, Harry Hagon, Jonathan Lunney, Adam James Robinson, Eddie Dsane, Bradley Wicks, Luke Pritchard. Subs: Sam Livesey, Matthew Hudson, Adam Joseph Robinson, James Boyd, Ben Roberts.
From the off the Lilywhites got stuck in and were first to every ball and really did set the tone for the match.
Eddie Dsane made the positive early start count after Luke Pritchard skipped past the defender on the edge of the box and squared the ball to the arriving Dsane who tapped home to make it 0-1 to the visitors.
Soon after the goalscorer received the ball with his back to goal but his turn and swivel shot wasn’t good enough to beat Oldham shotstopper Chris Renshaw.
Just as PNE were marking their authority on the game Harry Hagon was guilty of handball inside the area, which gave Jordache Walters the chance to convert from the spot which he duly obliged for 1-1.
With the scores level at 1-1 proceedings became very even with an enticing midfield battle between the sides.
Pritchard managed to cut inside from the left where he curled an effort but it was comfortable enough for Renshaw in between the sticks.
There were some strong appeals for a penalty when Dsane was brought down in the box but the referee waved away those claims.
Shortly after there was a pivotal moment in the game after PNE were dispossessed in their own half, Walters burst through on goal but Ross Dalton saved well down low when one on one.
With half-time been and gone Oldham had an early chance in the second period, when Ben Grant rattled the post with his fierce shot from 25 yards.
Early proceedings of the second half were again very even but Dsane managed to wriggle free from a couple of defenders, but he blasted his shot well over the bar.
Oldham were trying to test Preston’s defence in behind with their pace up top, but the back line were more than up for the fight and dealt with any threat posed from Oldham well.
PNE Academy then regained the lead with a well worked corner as Jonathan Lunney curled in a near post corner which was met by skipper Bradley Roscoe’s glancing flick which nestled into the bottom corner.
Pritchard then used his quick feet to dart inside his man when operating from the right but didn’t quite catch his left foot shot from range.
Nick Harrison then brought off Pritchard for a fresh pair of legs in Sam Livesey
Shortly after Preston made it 1-3 when a ball was whipped in from the left, which George Edmundson couldn’t head clear properly with Lunney challenging for the ball.
In turn the loose ball fell to Dsane 12 yards out and he blasted the ball past Renshaw to give the Lilywhites a two goal cushion.
PNE really started to dominate the game now with the defence not giving the Latics a sniff on goal and the forwards carving out chances and most importantly being clinical in front of goal.
After nabbing his second Dsane was replaced by Ben Roberts who came on and looked bright holding the ball and linking up with surging midfielders.
Towering centre back Josh Sampson had a chance at the back post from Lunney’s corner but couldn’t quite climb high enough to get over the ball and his header went just wide of the target.
Nearing the last 10 minutes PNE put the game to bed making it 1-4 thanks to an inch perfect cross from James Quigley, which was met by substitute Sam Livesey who looped his header over the advancing Renshaw.
Adam James Robinson had a chance to make it five before the final whistle when he drove towards goal down the byline, but his shot was saved when he had options on the cut back waiting.
The game finished and PNE put an end to a poor run of only one win in seven and having conceded 11 goals in their previous three games, some much needed confidence for the Academy and a comfortable win to go with it.
PNE Academy XI: Ross Dalton, Clive Smith, James Quigley, Bradley Roscoe, Josh Sampson, Harry Hagon, Jonathan Lunney, Adam James Robinson, Eddie Dsane, Bradley Wicks, Luke Pritchard. Subs: Sam Livesey, Matthew Hudson, Adam Joseph Robinson, James Boyd, Ben Roberts.