North End scored five at Newcastle in a superb display of attacking football to go some way towards avenging the 5-0 reverse they had suffered at Bamber Bridge earlier in the season.
Preston brushed aside any memories of the recent defeats to Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday with wave after wave of attack in a frantic opening; Gemma Watson having two efforts blocked and being unlucky not to get a penalty as she raced to round the keeper.
All over the park Preston were working hard and that brought its just reward as a cross from Alison Taberner was headed home by Sarah Berry in the 20th minute.
The goal spurred Preston on further and Sarah Walker soon found herself one on one with Newcastle keeper Sarah Eadon who intercepted well.
When another attack forced a corner, Laura Walker provided the perfect delivery for Sarah Berry to head home for her second of the match.
North End were getting joy down both flanks with Hannah Bailey and Laura Walker giving their full backs a torrid time. Indeed, it was Walker once more who provided the cross for Preston's third, Sarah Walker applying the finish low into the net.
Newcastle could not get into their game that had so impressed earlier in the year and were further pushed back when a mistake in defence let Sarah Walker in to grab her second.
The lightning start meant that PNE went into the break 4-0 to the good, but bad news was to follow with Gemma Watson having to be replaced due to an injured wrist; Sam Cadwallader the substitute.
Though Preston started strongly they were soon to concede, some strong midfield play from Newcastle leading to the ball breaking to their left and the subsequent cross being converted by Mel Reay.
Newcastle clearly gained confidence from this and began to exploit the full width of what was a fine footballing surface to pepper the Preston box.
A further chance came when Danielle Gibbons in the PNE goal was adjudged to have handled outside the box whilst clearing upfield but the resulting free kick found its way wide of the post.
Preston took heart from this and once more it was Hannah Bailey and Laura Walker who were shaping the game down the flanks, creating gaps through the centre that Sam Cadwallader and Sarah Walker were working well to exploit. Duly Newcastle picked up the first caution of the day as Laura Walker was cynically fouled.
The hosts grew again and once more the arial bombardment began, Preston defending resolutely and assuredly. Eventually one ball did find a gap and the defecit was reduced to two by Reay.
Preston manager Chris Stammers responded by substituting Bailey for Louise Cafferkey and giving the line up a more defensive shape as a start point.
Such was the confidence about Preston though that this had no real impact on the forward desires and it was not long before Sarah Walker and Cafferkey were linking up to create the fifth and final goal of the match. From the moment North End got control of the ball in their own half to the finish from Walker, the goal oozed quality.
From this point, there were more chances for both sides but nothing clear cut, Preston holding on to a great away result to wrap up the travelling season on a high.
At the end of the game, manager Stammers was full of praise for his team, following a good display that wraps up the away portion of the season nicely.
More importantly, the stage is now set for a classic encounter at Preston Sports Arena next Sunday (17th May) against title hopefuls Sunderland who will need to win to be promoted to the Womens Premier League National Division. Admission to the tie, to kick off at 2pm, is as always free and supporters are very welcome.
With thanks to Simon Rudkin of pne-invincibles.com for the report and photos.
