New PNE WFC boss Chris Stammers got his reign off to the perfect start as Rotherham were washed away at a sodden QED Stadium.
With the Millers - like Preston - placed just above the relegation zone prior to kick off, the home side knew that attaining three points was more important than ever, with the new manager's arrival seeming to do the trick despite torrid weather conditions.
Preston had the early opportunities with Gemma Watson and Louise Cafferkey shooting over. Cafferkey then saw her shot headed clear by Rotherham centre half Amy Pollock.
On eight minutes, with Hannah Bailey tripped in the box, Watson converted the subsequent penalty to give the Lilywhites a 1-0 lead.
The home side continued to pressurise with Mel Martin shooting wide from distance and the visitors' keeper Charlie Whiteley alert to avert danger when Laura Walker chased down a Watson through ball. On 16 minutes Anisha Bateman played in Martin who rounded the keeper but saw her shot go agonisingly wide. Rotherham then attacked with Hayley Wood playing in a cross which was safely gathered by North End keeper Danielle Gibbons.
Further chances fell Preston's way with another Cafferkey shot being blocked and Bateman heading wide. Whiteley in the away goal also bravely saved from Bailey. With Bateman again heading wide and Watson shooting over, Gibbons on the half hour mark did enough to force Sarah Smith into shooting wide; thus denying the visitors an equaliser.
On 35 minutes Preston extended their lead, a Vikki Eastwood throw in met by Cafferkey who in turn found Watson who played the ball unselfishly to the oncoming Bateman to place beyond Whiteley.
Just before the interval the lead was extended further; Bateman playing a ball through for Bailey to push past Whiteley.
The home side therefore went into the break with a 3-0 advantage - a reflection of their possession and opportunities having also dealt proficiently as a unit with Rotherham attacks.
Into the second half with the weather conditions worsening, Preston had further chances to take the game further beyond their opponents with Alison Taberner and Bailey striking the woodwork. Gibbons in the home goal then saved from Smith, while on 53 minutes Sarah Berry replaced Martin in the Preston midfield.
Rotherham's Wood then beat the offside trap but keeper Gibbons and defender Eastwood combined to clear. Bailey for Preston then made way for Sam Cadwallader who immediately forced a save from Whiteley. The keeper then produced another excellent save from Watson with Cadwallader then shooting wide and Watson over.On 70 minutes Eastwood carrying a slight injury was replaced by Mel Bartley with captain Cafferkey reverting to the full back position on the left hand side.
In the following minute the Millers' Michelle Wyles found the back of the net but the linesman signalled for offside. At the other end of the field Cadwallader then forced another good save with Bateman shooting over and Laura Walker wide.
Bateman then sealed the game as she obtained her second and North End's fourth goal; an inch perfect pass played into her path by Taberner.
Cadwallader later latched onto a Gibbons goal kick, passing to Bartley who shot wide. With Gibbons gathering a Wyles cross the referee blew for full time resulting in a 4-0 victory for the home team which sees them move up to eighth in the table with games still in hand.
New manager Chris Stammers commented after the game:
"It was a first half of professionalism where we took our chances. I was disappointed with our overall play in the second half, but this is a good win and three points nevertheless".
PNE: Danielle Gibbons, AlisonTaberner, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Mel Martin, Anisha Bateman, Louise Cafferkey, Gemma Watson, Hannah Bailey. Subs Sarah Berry, Mel Bartley, Sam Cadwallader, Linny Craig, Sarah McCrea.
The reserves' game away in the League Cup Quarter Final at Bristol was subject to a late postponement.
Photos courtesy of KIPAX and PNE WFC.
