Preston North End's youth team bounced back from a disappointing performance against Blackpool, with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Port Vale.
Two goals from Ryan McGreevy and strikes from Neil Dougan, Conor McLaughlin and Matt Dudley completed the rout for a dominant North End side.
Preston nearly took an early lead in the fourth minute, a foul on Dougan resulted in a quick free kick taken by the Lilywhites. Central midfielder Tom Owens had a shot from distance which took a heavy deflection, but was comfortable enough for Port Vale keeper Sam Johnson.
Against the run of play it was the visitors who took a shock lead, Vale striker Jonathon Hughes hitting a ferocious shot past a helpless Dom Comrie in the 13th minute.
Credit must be given to Jamie Hoyland's side as their heads didn't drop after conceding the early goal, piling pressure on The Valiants goal.
Preston created three chances inside three minutes, but were unlucky not to convert. The best of those chances fell to Scott Davidson. Great defending by Bailey Wright saw him intercept a Port Vale pass, playing the ball to McGreevy who flicked a delightful ball onto midfielder Scott Davidson, Davidson was unable to escape centre back Andrew Bratt and shot wide of the mark.
The equaliser came in the 21st minute, but there was controversy surrounding the goal. The linesman incorrectly ruled goal scorer McGreevy offside after the striker finished from a Dougan cross. But after North End's appeals the referee awarded the goal to put PNE back into the game.
It was soon 2-1 to Preston as the Lilywhites turned the game completely on its head. A free kick was awarded to North End after a Port Vale corner, Comrie then launched the free kick up field to McLaughlin on the right wing who played the ball across the face of the goal to an unmarked Dougan to comfortably finish.
Influential skipper George Miller and man of match Tom Owens dominated the midfield area giving Port Vale no time on the ball. A perfectly timed challenge from Miller saw him win the ball back for his side, playing the ball into McGreevy but unfortunately for the North End striker he was crowded out by the oppositions defence.
Preston were far from finished in the first half grabbing their third of the game just before half time. An impressive team goal was started by Davidson, who switched possession to the left to Dougan, the winger managed to cross the ball for an incoming run of McLaughlin who drove a powerful shot into the back of the net.
PNE started where they left off in the second half, Davidson shooting just wide after Miller showed great strength to hold the ball up.
Another great chance went begging in the 52nd minute to wrap up all three points but McLaughlin's header was comfortably saved by Johnson.
Preston were giving young left back Matt Bell a torrid time, every opportunity created was coming from the left hand side.
Manager Jamie Hoyland decided to introduce winger Jordan Bent in the 62nd minute and he was soon enough in the thick of the action. Miller again picked possession up in the middle of the park, playing the ball over the top to Bent but the winger couldn't beat the keeper who robbed the ball from underneath his feet.
Preston finally grabbed that all important fourth goal to seal an important victory and an impressive three points. McGreevy grabbed his second of the game placing an unstoppable finish into the top corner in the 72nd minute.
A superb goal line headed clearance from Vale defender Bell prevented Miller getting his name on the score sheet after a fine performance from the midfielder.
Port Vale were able to score their second of the game after Comrie slipped in his own area, following a back pass from defender Wright leaving an open goal for striker Lee James for the simplest of finishes.
The drama wasn't over there though as Preston grabbed their fifth of the game courtesy of substitute Matt Dudley. The striker was first to react from a rebounded shot to calmly finish, resulting in the last piece of action of the game.
Manager Jamie Hoyland was far more pleased with this week's performance. He said: "We've worked them hard this week because as everybody knows how disappointed we were from the performance last week and they have reacted in the right way. After going 1-0 down I thought we were excellent."
Man of the match Tom Owens gave his reaction on how the game went. He said: "It went well, I thought we started a bit slow but we got playing and managed to get our foot on the ball and came through with a 5-2 victory."
PNE: Dom Comire, Scott Leather, Sam Hart (Jordan Bent 62), George Miller (c), Daniel Devine, Bailey Wright, Tom Owens, Scott Davidson, Ryan McGreevy (Matt Dudley 83), Conor McLaughlin, Neil Dougan. Unused Subs: Seanan Clucas, Jordan Watson, Oliver Devaney.
Port Vale: Sam Johnson, Charlie Raglon, Matt Bell, Sam Morsy, Andrew Bratt, Sam Christensen, Ryan Lloyd (Grant Jefferies 58), James Beeslon, Jonathon Hughes (Liam Rice 60), Lee James, Alex Hagee (Dave Watson 75) Unused Sub: Dominic Thornley.
Report by Jonathon Swift. Photos by Farran Photography.
