Preston North End U19s put in an excellent performance as they came out 4-1 winners over Oldham Athletic.
Max Wilson opened the scoring just two minutes in and Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile soon doubled his side’s lead in the eighth minute.
Rodriguez-Gentile got his second of the day after getting on the end of a brilliant cross six minutes before the break and, after the visitors got one back, Izac Khan restored the three-goal lead in the 65th minute to secure a fourth successive league victory.
PNE were right out the blocks at Springfields and Wilson wasted no time in opening the scoreline as he converted a dropped ball by the goalkeeper within the first two minutes.
The opener proved to be a major confidence boost for the home side, who doubled their lead only six minutes later through Argentina U17 international Rodriguez-Gentile, who finished from close range.
The away side had two presentable chances themselves to score in the first half, however due to the brilliance of Tommy Davis in goal, the strikes from close range were exceptionally saved and turned behind for a corner.
As the entertaining half continued, Kian Best was able to skip past two players and cross a terrific ball into the box which fell perfectly at the feet of goalscorer Rodriguez-Gentile to give him his second of the game and PNE their third in the 39th minute.
The goals kept coming in the second half, but it was the Latics who managed to pull one back within three minutes of the restart.
The travelling side would have hoped they could potentially go on and turn the game around to grab a point, but a superb finish from midfielder Khan in the 65th minute diminished any likelihood of that happening.
Speaking after full-time, coach Andy Fensome had some high praise for the way his side started the game.
He said: “I thought we started like a house on fire; we did really well. We asked the players to come out fiery and that’s what they did and got themselves two early goals.”
Fenners was also pleased with what some of his players managed to do off the bench. He added: “We asked the subs to go on and have an impact, and that’s exactly what they did. They came on and gave us a bit of life and energy.
“It was good to see that the players who came onto the pitch affected the game.”
Goalscorer of two, Rodriguez-Gentile expressed his joy about getting a brace and being able to help the team.
Felipe said: “I feel very happy to come and get two goals. I had a good game and was able to get running and help the team get the win.
“Games like this will help me improve my passing, dribbling and my awareness of the space that I am in, and improving more on the ball and also out of possession.”
PNE line-up: Davis, Wilkinson, Best, Kamara (Stringfellow, 79), McGhee, Pasiek (Brindle, 66), Eccleston (Goldsmith, 79), N.Mawene, Rodriguez-Gentile, Khan (T.Mawene, 66), Wilson (Havard, 79).