Preston face an exciting semi final tie away to the iconic Doncaster Rovers Belles after a superb victory over Southern Division Portsmouth FC Ladies in the Premier League Cup on Sunday afternoon.
A solitary strike from Gemma Watson, five minutes after the break, was enough to secure a groundbreaking victory for North End, who will now test themselves against established top flight opposition folllowing their victory in the quarter final played at Fareham Town FC.
Having travelled down Saturday afternoon, Preston were well prepared for the 1pm Sunday afternoon kick-off.
In the opening 20 minutes, Portsmouth perhaps had the better of possession and opportunities, but were unable to capitalise with Preston defending well. On 20 minutes, North End's Hannah Bailey worked space well for herself with her shot on target initially being spilled by the home keeper but gathered at the second attempt.
Just after the half hour mark a Portsmouth corner headed against the woodwork was cleared off the line and then somehow down field after a goal mouth scramble. Bailey then had an opportunity, having dribbled through the Portsmouth back line only to see her left foot strike go wide.
At the interval it therefore remained at 0-0 with Preston having defended well against a talented opposition.
After the break the Lilywhites started strongly with Anisha Bateman and Mel Martin both having opportunities. Their reward came in the 50th minute with Laura Walker winning the ball in midfield, then linking up with Bailey who played in her strike partner Gemma Watson to finish across the keeper into the bottom left hand corner.
The goal was followed by both teams creating chances with Portsmouth perhaps having the better opportunities including a further goal line clearance by Laura Walker in the 70th minute.
Both teams searched for a goal - in Preston's case to seal the tie and in Portsmouth's to force extra time - and in a bid to see out time, Preston manager Chattell made a double substitution with Sam Cadwallader and Sarah McCrea replacing Martin and Bailey on 75 minutes.
Portsmouth then played a ball across the North End box but fortunately for the Lilywhites nobody was following in. A further corner in Pompey's favour was cleared off the line, whilst at the other end the pacy Cadwallader was unlucky not to get to a Walker through ball.
Preston's final substitute Mel Bartley, who replaced Walker, dribbled through the Portsmouth defence to win a corner taken by McCrea. Bartley found space at the back post but shot over.
With Portsmouth continuing to press for an equaliser, Danielle Gibbons in the Preston goal continued to thwart all their attempts with her two centre halves Louise Belcher and Sarah Jones performing admirably to protect the slender lead.
With the referee blowing his whistle much to the delight of the visiting support, Preston had worked hard as a unit against strong and hard working opposition to return to the north west with a place in the semi final, which will be played on Sunday 7th December - full details to appear on PNE.com as they are known.
PNE: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Anisha Bateman, Mel Martin, Louise Cafferkey (captain), Gemma Watson, Hannah Bailey. Subs: Sarah McCrea, Sam Cadwallader, Mel Bartley.
