Preston's recent winning streak came to an end in disappointing circumstances as Manchester City stole three goals and three points at Preston Sports Arena.
A tough encounter was anticipated following a 5-1 win for City in the reverse league fixture and a 4-3 victory for the visitors after extra time in the FA Cup, and a three-and-a-half week gap between fixtures perhaps proved critical in the end.
North End started the strongest with Gemma Watson having consecutive shots on target and City centre half Charlotte Farrell challenging to prevent Hannah Bailey's shot. Krystal Johnson for City saw her shot gathered by North End keeper Emma Reader with the City captain Lindsay Savage then playing a free kick along the floor which eluded the Preston back line but fortunately was struck wide of the post. On 12 minutes Johnson beat the offside trap but her shot was saved by Reader.
A free kick for Preston following a foul on Bailey was struck against the crossbar and over by Laura Walker with Mel Martin then shooting over for the home side.
On 22 minutes, City's Ellena Turner won a corner taken by Sarah Penney. Reader saved the initial shot with Farrell then shooting wide. A subsequent Penney corner was cleared with Levi Wensley then shooting over.
City continued to press for the opening goal and got their reward in the 34th minute. Reader cleared for a corner which when delivered was headed home by Katie Brussell. Preston searched for an equaliser but the visitors held their 1-0 advantage at the interval.
Into the second half Preston won a succession of corners in the opening few minutes but could not capitalise from the deliveries and it was the home keeper who was called into the first real action of the half gathering a Savage free kick in front of the onrushing Johnson. Reader was again alert to deal with a through ball played for Penney.
After the hour mark, Preston manager Chris Stammers replaced Bailey and strike partner Sam Cadwallader with Louise Cafferkey and Sarah Walker, with City's Rebecca Lee taking to the field of play. Walker was soon involved in the action retaining the ball well to play in Watson who shot on target. City then replaced Fran Champ with Abbie McManus .
With 15 minutes remaining, in attempt to find the elusive equaliser, Stammers decided on a change of formation taking off centre back Abby Blackett to see out the game with three in the back line. Alison Taberner was the replacing player.
Watson then had another shot but unfortunately it veered agonisingly wide. In the 80th minute with Preston pushing forward the pace of Penney enabled her to cross for Johnson who headed home at the far post to give the Sky Blues a 2-0 lead. This was Johnson's last involvement prior to her replacement.
Taberner then produced a shot on target with the action then switching to the other end of the field. A City free kick at the far side of the box was played in and the resultant goalmouth scramble saw the ball hit the back of the net. This being the last telling action of the encounter saw the visitors return to Manchester with a 3-0 victory and the three points. The completion of their fixtures in this campaign sees them occupying third place for the moment, awaiting other results to confirm their final standing.
Preston manager Stammers felt that the enforced lack of games with the Lilywhites not having played since the end of March had impacted on the team performance and the result. This he hoped would be rectified with the visit of Leicester this coming Sunday, a tie that will be played at the QED Stadium, Bamber Bridge kicking off at 2pm.
PNE: Emma Reader, Louise Belcher, Sarah Jones, Abby Blackett, Vikki Eastwood, Mel Martin, Sarah Berry (Captain), Laura Walker, Gemma Watson, Sam Cadwallader, Hannah Bailey. Subs: Danielle Gibbons, Louise Cafferkey, Sarah Walker, Alison Taberner, Alice Forshaw.
Manchester City: Andrea Worral, Fran Champ, Kelly McLellan, Levi Wensley, Charlotte Farrel, Ellena Turner, Katie Brussell, Lucy Hindley, Lindsay Savage (Captain), Sarah Penney, Krystal Johnson. Subs: Danni Young, Abbie McManus, Rebecca Lee, Nat Chapman.
Photos courtesy of PNE-Invincibles.com.
