Preston North End completed a six-goal rout of non-league Bamber Bridge at Irongate on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Sean St. Ledger, Keith Treacy, Matthew James, Billy Jones, Paul Hayes and Neil Dougan.
It was North End's first match of pre-season, a fitness excercise more than anything for Darren Ferguson's men, but they brought plenty of cheer to the hardy North End fans who braved wet weather to enjoy something of a goalfest.
Ferguson handed debuts to Wayne Brown and Paul Hayes in the run-out though there was no appearance from fellow new signing Craig Morgan, the Welsh international joining Paul Coutts in the sick bay with a bout of tonsillitis. The pair will remain quarantined away from the rest of the squad and are expected to be doubts for Friday night's friendly against Chorley.
North End managed to field almost two entirely different sides in each half of the game, with only youngsters Conor McLoughlin and George Miller playing the full 90 minutes. There was a return to action for Paul Parry, the Welshman has not played a game since December 28th at Sheffield United.
The first goal of the evening was a little while in coming, the crowd had to be patient to make some noise, but they did so on 34 minutes when Sean St. Ledger slotted home a Keith Treacy corner from the right - at the second attempt.
Treacy went from provider to goalscorer two minutes later when he was there at the back post to slot home a Danny Mayor centre, once again from the right flank.
And it proved to be a late flurry of first half goalscoring action for PNE when Matthew James grabbed the goal of the game with just two minutes of the opening half to play. The Manchester United midfielder is on England U19 duty later this week and he showed his fine pedigree when he shaped to shoot with his right, took the ball inside and then hit a powerful curling effort with his left which found the top corner from the edge of the box.
North End made their changes at the break, no less than nine substitutions. Two of those debutants, Wayne Brown making his return following his previous loan spell, whilst Paul Hayes made his bow in Preston's impressive new yellow and blue away strip.
Hayes showed some fine creative touches whilst Brown barked orders to his team-mates to show early glimpses of why PNE boss Darren Ferguson has brought them to the Club.
It was one of the old guard who grabbed North End's next goal though, Billy Jones throwing himself in at the back post to get onto the end of a fantastic left-footed cross from Irishman Neil Dougan on 63 minutes.
Five minutes later and Brig grabbed a goal of their own. North End's very own Technical Skills coach Phil Eastwood somehow curled the ball underneath Wayne Henderson's arm from an acute angle inside the box.
Dougan was involved in North End's fifth goal of the game. The diminutive winger provided a burst of pace to take himself clear inside the box, Dougan nudged the ball as if to shape for a shot before being scythed down by a Bamber Bridge challenge. Paul Hayes stepped up to take the resultant penalty kick and coolly slotted home for a goal on debut.
Neil Dougan had put in a vibrant second half display and busy performance was rewarded in the 89th minute. The Impish midfielder pouncing on a sloppy Brig clearance to slot the ball into an unguarded net from 25-yards out.
That goal completed the rout and brought an end to a positive opening game for Darren Ferguson's pre-season campaign.
North End now face similar opposition on Friday night when they travel to Chorley's Victory Park to tackle the Magpies in what is sure to be another physical workout for Ferguson's men.
PNE 1st Half: Lonergan, McLoughlin, St. Ledger, Wright, Davidson, Mayor, James, Miller, Treacy, Parkin, Parry.
PNE 2nd Half: Henderson, Jones, Collins, W Brown, McLoughlin, Proctor, Miller, Barton, Dougan, Hayes, C Brown.
