The dream of a cup final appearance for PNE's women is over for the season after they were pipped by Premier League opponents at the semi final stage for the second time this campaign.

Having been defeated by Doncaster Rovers Belles in the Premier League Cup semi final at the Keepmoat Stadium in December, North End were hoping to put that right in the Lancashire FA Cup on Wednesday night against the region's leading lights, Blackburn Rovers.



Despite Hannah Bailey's strike just before half time to cancel out Katie Anderton's opener at Preston Sports Arena, Anderton struck once again in the second period to give the top flight side a narrow 2-1 victory, and with it the place in the final.

Preston started brightly matching their Premier league opponents with Louise Cafferkey for the Lilywhites having the first shot on target.

On 15 minutes the Blackburn defence dealt with consecutive corners delivered accurately by Laura Walker. 

Five minutes later a further corner was hit wide by Anisha Bateman with the Preston defence then dealing proficiently with a Rovers free kick played by Nicki Twohig to striker Katie Anderton.



Blackburn then had a good spell of possession with the Preston back line dealing with a succession of throws but on 35 minutes Anderton scored to give the visitors the lead.

North End however equalised within five minutes; the hard working Hannah Bailey taking advantage of a poor kick out by Blackburn keeper Krystal Parker.



Blackburn captain Natalie Preston then shot from distance but Danielle Gibbons in the Preston goal gathered. Anderson then kept the ball in play but saw her shot go wide.

A foul on Preston full back Vikki Eastwood resulted in the award of a free kick but Blackburn dealt with the delivery with the last action of the half being Cafferkey 's shot wide.

The first opportunity of the second half saw Bateman shoot wide. The visitors then pressurised for a further goal but the commanding Gibbons in the Preston goal along with centre backs Louise Belcher and Sarah Jones dealt with all threats efficiently. Parker in the Rovers goal was also kept occupied just beating Bailey to a Walker through ball and then Cafferkey who had beaten the offside trap to latch onto a Alison Taberner free kick.

A Rovers free kick just before the hour mark delivered by substitute Chantelle Parry was headed wide by Twohig. Preston striker Gemma Watson continued to cause the visiting defence problems resulting in the award of free kicks but the Lilywhites were unable to capitalise.

On 63 minutes Anderton gave her side the lead with Karen Hanson then shooting over. A further foul was then committed on Watson but unfortunately the resulting free kick caused no problems.



Both teams continued to push for a goal with Gibbons saving from the Blackburn captain, Preston, and the visitors then somehow managing to clear a Walker corner after a goal mouth scramble.

With 75 minutes on the clock the hard working Bailey was replaced by Sam Cadwallder with Linny Craig later replacing Cafferkey.

The home side went all out in an attempt to force an equaliser to take the tie into extra time, at times causing panic in the Blackburn defence.



Both Cadwallader and Walker shot wide with a Walker free kick then being headed over the bar; Preston skipper Sarah Berry then headed from close range into the arms of Parker but the desired goal was not forthcoming and Preston again departed from the competition at the semi final stage.

Preston manager Chris Stammers declared he was proud of his side feeling the better team had lost on the night.

PNE: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Anisha Bateman, Sarah Berry (Captain), Louise Cafferkey, Gemma Watson, Hannah Bailey. Subs: Sam Cadwallader, Linny Craig, Wendy Andrews, Mel Bartley, Mel Martin.

Blackburn: Krystal Parker, Nicky Twohig, Nicki Harding, Lynda Shepherd, Natalie Brewer, Natalie Preston, Denise Campbell, Katie Anderton, Karen Hanson, Karen Burke, Emma McDougall. Subs: Chantelle Parry, Jenna Carroll, Jo Norris, Hannah Pailing.

Many thanks to KIPAX for the photos.