Preston North End Women earned their second draw of the season against Bradford City Women at AFC Thackley on Sunday afternoon with a 0-0 draw.
Chances were few and far between early on, with midfielder Paige Forster coming closest to scoring in the first with a diving header that was well saved by Bradford goalkeeper Carrie Simpson.
Manager Luke Podmore handed a competitive debut to 17-year-old Sarah Chadwick after promoting her from the development squad as the first team were without a recognised striker with both Keeleigh Savage and Jade Parker injured.
The first twenty minutes of the match were very much a midfield battle with neither side creating a noteworthy opportunity until midway through the first-half. Olivia Thackray burst down the right wing for the visitors and picked out Victoria Rich in the middle but her volley was over the bar and out for a goal kick.
Eight minutes later the best chance of the first-half fell to PNE’s Paige Forster but her diving header from Laura Walker’s looped cross was well saved by Simpson in the Bradford goal.
The first booking of the match occurred in the 38th minute when Bradford’s Charlotte Stuart, sent off in the 5-0 win at the end of last season, was booked for a rash challenge on debutant Sarah Chadwick.
PNE made a change two minutes into the second-half with captain Laura Walker being replaced by Rebecca Foster after the Skipper picked up an injury.
Danielle Brown was called into action for the first time just before the hour mark as she pulled off a smart save to deny Sarah Danby before Kerry Nickson cleared Thackray’s inches from the line.
Her opposite number was tested again three minutes after Brown’s save and, once again, she made a good save to deny former Liverpool midfielder Yasmine Swarbrick from the edge of the area.
As the second-half progressed the action continued at a fast pace and it was only a fabulous last ditch tackle by Alice Forshaw to prevent Sarah Danby getting a shot away from close range to protect the clean sheet.
With both teams searching for a winner two more chances went by with Faye Boshell heading wide for Bradford whilst Paige Forster went close for PNE with a long range effort. However neither side could nick a late goal and shared the spoils for the second time this season after the 1-1 draw on the opening day.
Next up for PNE is a home tie against Champions Sheffield FC Ladies on Sunday at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium, the home of Bamber Bridge FC. Kick-off is at 2pm and it’s free entry for all.
PNE: Brown, Stanfield, Taberner, Nickson, Forshaw, Cleaver (Charlesworth 65), Walker (Foster 47), Forster, Swarbrick, Rawcliffe, Chadwick
Subs not used: Hutton, Robinson