Youth team forward Ethan Walker felt the young Lilywhites were unfortunate in their 1-0 home loss to Carlisle United.
Nick Harrison’s team created a wealth of chances, Walker himself twice hitting the woodwork while Jack Baxter also missed a late penalty against the Cumbrian outfit.
But Max Brown’s early goal for the visitors meant there was no reward for North End’s otherwise dominant display, as Walker spoke of how the team could so easily have won on another day.
“It didn’t go our way for most of the game, which is down to the weather as well as what happened in the game,” the U16 attacker told PNE.com. “But we couldn’t fault that, we tried our best to do what we could and it just didn’t work out.
“I think we were just unaware at the start and it [Carlisle’s goal] kicked us off a little bit to keep us going. We need to start as soon as the first whistle goes and be aware of any chances that could be taken.
“They must have had about five chances but we’ve dominated in terms of chances. It just wasn’t our day, we couldn’t get the goals and hopefully next week, we can get a win against Port Vale.
“We can take positives from the performance but there’s also negatives in terms of what we can do better and improve on. We’re eager to win and we’re trying so hard to get the goals and get ourselves a win.
“We’re all gutted, there was no talking in the showers after the game and everyone was quiet. It was really disappointing not to get a win today and take something from it.”
Walker came off the bench late in the first-half for an injured Jerome Jolly and caused problems for Carlisle’s backline from a left-wing position.
The North End youngster – who has played numerous times for the youth team both this season and last, despite not starting his scholarship until this summer – is confident he and his teammates can continue improving.
“For myself, I’m just looking for more clinical finishing,” continued Walker, who has scored three goals this term. “Obviously, I hit the crossbar and the post today. I need to improve on that and hopefully, when I get another chance like that, there won’t be any hesitation about finishing it.
“It’s all a matter of timing and things like that. I’m still learning as a player and it’s one of those days where you need to take something from it and keep at it.
“There’s more things to come and definitely more goals to come. For now, I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team out.
“As a team, we’re always learning new things together in training, in defence, attack and switching the play. Everyone knows what they should be doing from training, such as switching positions in attack and that kind of thing, it’s just all down to training and gelling together.”