Preston North End U19s survived a late Good Friday scare to come out on top against Stockport County with a 2-1 win away from home.
Goals from Kaedyn Kamara and Charlie Goldsmith added another three points to the Lilywhites’ Youth Alliance tally, keeping them comfortably at the top of the league.
North End capitalised on their early confidence and it took just four minutes for Kamara to pick up a loose ball in the box and smash home to take the lead.
And, as the first half played out, it seemed their determination didn’t dwindle either, creating multiple chances that could’ve easily put them further in front.
Ayden Garrigan was close to getting on the scoresheet in the 22nd minute, but his powerful shot from the edge of the box smashed off the post and out of play.
Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile, too, looked eager to get on the scoresheet, but his shots were saved by the home ‘keeper.
A floating free-kick from Jonny Brindle met Tom Wilkinson in the box just after the half-hour mark, and the centre-half sent his header just wide of goal.
As the first half drew to a close, PNE were very much on the front foot, something they continued after the break.
It didn’t take long for the Lilywhites to double their lead, as Goldsmith surged through on goal and tapped the ball confidently down the middle of the net.
At the other end, Li-Bau Stowell was called into action after the hour mark, making multiple fantastic saves to deny any Stockport threats of a comeback.
But the home side were to find their breakthrough in the 80th minute as they found Stowell’s bottom-right corner.
As the final few minutes played out, the hosts looked determined to find an equaliser. Stowell’s unconventional save with his feet after Wilkinson was brought down in his box left PNE breathing a sigh of relief in the 88th minute, keeping the game at 2-1.
The final whistle blew and North End emerged victorious to claim another important three points for the Young Lilywhites.
Speaking after the game, Andy Fensome said: “At this time of the season wins are important.
“Yes we are still about development, yes we still want to play and put on good performances, but sometimes opposition don’t allow that and sometimes the players aren’t quite up to it for the game.
“But we’ve got to find a way to win and that’s what we did today.
“I think the first half we had so many chances and half-chances that we didn’t finalise and capitalise on which meant that the second half was always going to be a little bit more difficult.
“Charlie scoring midway through the second half was a fantastic time to score for the team most importantly.
“Then obviously when we concede and it’s 2-1 you’ve then got to battle as a group and that’s what they did at the end.”
