PNEWFC got back to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Leeds City Vixens, in a score line which flattered the visitors.
Preston dominated from start to finish, with goals either side of half time from Gemma Watson and substitute Sammy Fleck sealing all three points.
Bottom of the table Leeds started the game brightly and had a shooting opportunity only 3 minutes in.
A long ball over the top caught out Jenny Wootton and Abbie McIver had a chance to run at goal. Luckily for Preston Jenna Carroll got back to challenge the striker and her weak shot was easily gathered by goalkeeper Danielle Ayers.
North End responded well and had a chance of their own shortly after when Mel Ball seized on a poor kick from the Leeds keeper.
The winger dribbled down the left before playing the ball inside to Hannah Bailey. Bailey looked up and crossed to the back post where Vicky Westerman got a firm header on goal but only could head into the keepers' hands.
Leeds continued to see plenty of the ball in the opening stages though and they almost took the lead ten minutes in when Harriet Jakeman's 25 yard strike skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Slowly the Lilywhites managed to control proceedings and began to carve out a number of opportunities.
First Carroll had a great chance from a set piece half an hour into the match.
Sarah Berry won a free kick near the right hand touchline and Alison Taberner swung a nice ball into the box. It found its way to Carroll at the back post but the defender could only head over from six yards out with the goal at her mercy.
PNEWFC had an even better chance a couple of minutes later from another Taberner free kick.
The right back feigned to shoot from 30 yards before cleverly passing it Gemma Watson on the left hand edge of the area.
Watson skipped inside a marker before shooting fiercely at goal. Debbie Biggins saved well in the Leeds goal and somehow the rebound missed a host of Preston players who had run in at the back post.
Leeds would have been delighted to go in at half time level in the match and could have even taken the lead in the opening stages of the second.
McIver received the ball on the halfway line and used great pace to run past Wootton and into the area.
The striker was forced slightly wide but had a free shot at goal from only 10 yards out. Fortunately for North End her shot flew just past the right hand post much to the relief of many.
Despite a convincing start to the second half from the Yorkshire outfit they failed to gain any momentum and PNE began to control possession once more.
It wasn't long before chances began to come along and North End finally took the lead 55 minutes in.
A Taberner corner found its way to the back post and Berry did really well to keep hold of the ball under pressure from a defender.
As another defender started to close in Berry took a clever touch to take the ball away meaning she was clattered from behind and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Watson grabbed the ball and made no mistake with cool finish low into the right corner.
The prolific Watson won a free kick on the edge of the penalty box and Taberner forced Biggins into a save with a fierce low strike.
Bailey was first to react to the rebound but couldn't control her shot and it hit the outside of the post.
Watson, who terrorised the Leeds right back in the closing stages had a chance to double her tally 15 minutes from time.
A great ball from Carla Cleworth found her in plenty of space on the left and she raced towards goal with plenty of purpose.
The former Liverpool striker found herself one on one with the keeper but was on a slight angle and Biggins made a good save.
It looked as if Preston would have to settle for the one goal, especially when another free kick managed to miss everyone in a crowded area, but the second finally came five minutes from time.
Yet again Watson did well down the left and put a nice cross into Westerman on the right. The winger took a great touch past an onrushing defender before shooting from eight yards out.
Biggins made a great stop in goal but substitute Fleck was on hand to tap into an empty net to confirm all three points for PNEWFC.
After the final whistle manager Luke Swindlehurst told PNE.Com, "I think in the first half we didn't do the basics right.
"We didn't pass the ball well and at half time that was the main thing I told the players.
"After we got the first goal we were more relaxed and managed to pin them in their half.
"If we were more intelligent in the final third we could have had four or five but I'm happy with the result."
PNEWFC: Danielle Ayers, Vikki Eastwood, Alison Taberner, Jenna Carroll, Mel Ball (Sam Cadwallader 60), Vicky Westerman, Hannah Bailey (Sammy Fleck 75), Sarah Berry (Wendy Booth 65), Carla Cleworth, Jenny Wootton, Gemma Watson.Subs not used: Alice Forshaw, Sophie Jones.
Leeds City Vixens: Debbie Biggins, Katherine Bird, Jasmine McNaught, Orla Haslam, Katie McBrinn, Harriet Jakeman, Annabelle Cass, Abbie McIver, Alex Price, Lauren Asquith, Colette Haslam. Subs Beth Clayton, Grace Adams, Mercedes Riolfo.
Report by Dom Fleming
