Preston North End Women were knocked out of the Argyle Sports Kit Northwest Women’s Regional Cup after a 5-2 defeat to Salford City Lionesses.
The Lilywhites started off strongly with a handful of chances early on.
One that stood out saw Lottie Greenwood take on a number of the opposition players herself, running down the wing to get the shot off, but the ball hit the post and was cleared by the home side.
Minutes later, Salford got their first opportunity as the forward cut inside and tested goalkeeper Justine Elliott who made a good save.
The game was very much back and forth with both teams having chances, it was unpredictable who was going to get the first goal.
Minutes later Salford appealed for a penalty for handball in the area, but the referee allowed play to go on.
It took 40 minutes for a goal to arrive and it was Salford who took the lead with a header inside the box from a nice cross in from the left-hand side.
Just on the stroke of half-time, the reds doubled the lead as a cross found its way into the back of the net, a wonder goal from the home side.
In the second half, PNE came out fighting with an early goal after a fantastic cross from Eleanor Collins to Maddie Hadley, who did well to stay calm under pressure and get the goal.
The visitors then kept applying the pressure, wanting a second goal to make it level, and just ten minutes later, they got the goal as a beautiful cross from Liv Askam caused lots of confusion in the box. Lottie Greenwood got the ball before it was played to Hadley who made it level.
With everything to play for at 2-2, both teams gave everything to be the one who went into the lead.
Unfortunately, the Lionesses found the back of the net first and found themselves ahead again to make it 3-2.
Salford found their feet from there to take control of the game, albeit through a controversial decision as the lineman’s flag appeared to be raised for offside, but the goal still stood to extend the advantage.
Sam Ball stepped up for a free-kick, which was tipped onto the bar by the Salford goalkeeper to stop North End getting back into the game.
Salford completed the win with a chip over the top of Elliott to make it 5-2 late on.
Attentions in the cup competitions now turn to the Lancashire FA Women’s Challenge Cup against Bolton Wanderers Reserves this weekend.
PNE line-up: Elliott, Jacques, C. Woodhead, Radcliffe, Collins, Greenwood, Hunt, Ball, K. Woodhead, Askam, Hadley. Subs: Lonsdale, Stuttard, Mercer, Jones.