Preston North End's reserve team comfortably beat Northwich Victoria 2-0 in an impressive pre-season performance at Victoria Stadium.
Trialist Patrick Dimbala bagged a brace for North End in what was an encouraging performance by David Unsworth's side against the Evo-Stik Premier Division outfit.
Dimbala opened the scoring in the sixth minute before grabbing his second and doubling Preston's lead with a cool finish just four minutes shy of half time.
Following the game, David Unsworth admitted that he was pleased with the workout his side were given. Unsworth said:
"It was a good workout, it is 90 minutes for most of the young professionals and we got the chance to see Patrick [Dimbala] tonight. Patrick took his goals well, he could have had four or five but he got a little tired which is normal because he hasn't had much training in him.
"I thought that Bailey Wright did really well tonight, some little rusty performances but that is what these pre-season games are for.
"The main thing is though that it is another 90 minutes for the boys fitness. There are no injuries which is another big plus so we're happy with that."
Conor McLaughlin skippered the travelling North End side that fielded a mixture of youth team players and first year professionals along with Richard Chaplow, Neal Trotman and goalkeeper Andreas Arestidou.
It was Chaplow who had the first chance of the game in the fourth minute but Northwich goalkeeper James Spencer was equal to his effort. Dominic Collins slipped the ball through to Jamie Proctor on the right hand side who in turn laid it off to Chaplow whose shot from just inside the penalty area was gathered well by Spencer.
North End only had to wait a further two minutes until they found the breakthrough and it was courtesy of forward Dimbala. After good play on the right hand side, the ball fell loose to Dimbala inside the penalty area who stroked the ball through a crowded box and into the bottom corner.
The opening goal gave the Lilywhites an added edge and Preston's ball retention had greatly improved since the goal. This was demonstrated in the 20th minute when Neil Dougan almost instigated a fantastic team goal.
Dougan dropped his shoulder in the middle of the park and beat three men before playing Proctor in behind the Victoria defence. Proctor then drove into the penalty area from the right hand side and slid the ball across the face of the six yard box to Dimbala. However, the forward's effort was hit at Spencer who did well to smother the ball after the initial save.
It was Dimbala who came close again for North End five minutes later following some neat play on the left hand side by Chaplow. Unfortunately Dimbala was just unable to get enough power on his header to test Spencer and double the Lilywhites' lead.
There were no mistakes in the 41st minute though by Dimbala who managed to grab his second and give North End a comfortable lead going into half time. The forward was played in one-on-one by the dangerous Dougan and left the defenders in his wake before coolly slotted the ball past Spencer to double the visitors advantage.
Unsworth made no changes at half time but his side started the half how they finished the first, with Dougan operating on the right hand side and Proctor on the left. It was Dougan who had North End's first effort of the half in the 51st minute but after darting inside, the Northern Irishman's speculative shot flew over the crossbar.
Just moments after this, Dimbala could have completed his hat trick but the forward was just unable to direct his header goalwards after being picked out by Dougan.
Despite the away side's dominance, Arestidou was almost beaten in the 57th minute after arguably Victoria's best chance of the game. Michael Connor floated the ball over the top of the Lilywhites' defence and found Jonathan Crane but his driven shot flashed wide.
Northwich then continued to try and reduce the deficit but were finding it difficult to break down a resolute Preston defence with Bailey Wright excelling at the heart of it.
In the 65th minute, substitute Michael McLellan almost made an instant impact following some total football by Unsworth's men. McLaughlin and Proctor teamed up well on the left hand side before skilfully moving the ball in field. After some neat passes between the pair, George Miller and Chaplow, the ball was teed up for McLellan on the edge of the area who's snapshot trickled wide of the post.
Chances became few and far between after this but North end maintained their strangle-hold on the game and were looking good when in possession. There was a late chance for Northwich to grab a consolation goal but this was dealt with comfortably by Aresidou to ensure that Preston ran out 2-0 victors.
Northwich: Spencer, Disney (Vaughan 59), L. Jackson, Brown, O'Brien (Sinnott 77), Williams, Riley (Shannon 77), Connor, McAliskey (Paul 77), Crane (Branch 59), Lee (Henry 46). Unused Subs: Clegg, B. Jackson, Morrison, Pollard, Hampson, Collins.
PNE: Aresitdou, Collins, McLaughlin © (R. James), Miller, Trotman, Wright, Chaplow, Proctor, Dimbala, Middleton (McLellan 59), Dougan. Unused Subs: Devine, Clark, Comrie.
