Preston North End's youngsters completed an impressive victory over an experienced Accrington reserve side at the Crown Ground on Monday night.
Jamie Hoyland fielded a 16-year-old debutant in goal as well as another 16-year-old in the centre of defence and were up against an Accrington team who had nine players who had been on first team duty in defeat to Hereford at the weekend.
But youth triumphed over experience, a brace of goals from Ryan McGreevy as followed up by a third from Scot Davidson with North End putting in a fine second half display to secure the three points.
It wasn't all plain sailing for the Lilywhites and Dominic Comrie in goal had to be at his best on debut to deny a couple of early Accrington efforts and it could be said that PNE's opener came against the run of the play. Tom Smyth and Jamie Douglas combined well on the left before the latter played the ball inside to Jamie Proctor who in turn found his strike-partner Ryan McGreevy who curled home the first goal of the night.
Accrington continued to press though and were rewarded just before the break when the PNE defence backed off and allowed the home team to equalise with a fine curling effort.
Hoyland reorganised his troops at the break, giving them some harsh words as well as changing things tactically and it did the trick as PNE looked a different outfit.
The Lilywhites hit the front again when McGreevy nodded home after good work from Conor McLaughlin on the right flank.
The victory was complete when Scot Davidson showed his predatory instincts when he tapped home Danny Devine's header.
Speaking after the match Jamie Hoyland was delighted with the way his side coped against the more experienced outfit: "They were playing against pros who are physically stronger than them, of course they are, they are older than them. But technically are they as good as you? Probably not and if we can move the ball and move it quick and sharp and sometimes the older players who are not as technically good can't get near you.
"For periods in the second half we did that and we looked very good. I changed it to 4-3-3 in the second half, Tom Owens, Scot Davidson and George Miller and we moved the ball very nicely and did well, they kept the ball and made them run around.
"We looked nice and fit with a very young side."
PNE: Dominic Comrie, Conor McLaughlin, Phil Quirk, George Miller, Tom Smyth (capt), Daniel Devine, Neil Dougan, Scott Davidson, Ryan McGreevy, Jamie Proctor, Jamie Douglas. Subs: Sam Hart, Ben Proctor, Fred Holtom, Michael McLellan, Tom Owens.
Accrington Reserves v Preston Reserves: Central League West, Crown Ground, 7pm, Monday 21st September.
