First year scholar Lewis Leigh led Preston North End U19s to a 2-1 win over Rochdale in his first competitive match of the campaign.
The defensive midfielder was instrumental in a dominant display from Nick Harrison’s side which sees them record their third consecutive victory.
Leigh has spent much of pre-season and the early stages of the campaign with the first team squad at Euxton, but the international break was the perfect opportunity for him to return to action with the youth team and he was pleased to mark it with a win.
“It feels good,” he said, speaking to PNE.com after the match. “Obviously it’s my first competitive game and we came out as winners so it’s always a good day.”
North End looked to be heading in at half-time with a commanding 2-0 lead, but a goal late in the first half gave the visitors hope heading in to the break.
The 17-year-old was full of praise for the way in which his teammates responded after conceding just before half-time.
“We started well after the first twenty minutes and towards the end their goal changes the half-time team talk, but we came out well and held on out for the win.
“We have to be disciplined, we were quite solid at the back and created some good chances up front.
“We just need to hold onto that goal, put our bodies on the line and come out with the result.”
After signing a professional contract with the Lilywhites and appearing in several first team friendlies this summer, Leigh had yet to make an appearance for the youth side this season and feels he will benefit from the game time.
“It’s good to get ninety minutes in me, because I’ve not played in a while so just to get the minutes, get a bit sharper, it’s good for me.”