Preston North End Women progressed in the Argyle Sports Kit North West Regional Cup with a 3-0 away against Wythenshawe Amatuers Women on Sunday.
Olivia Askam scored a brace either side of half-time before Freya Hunt found the net for the third consecutive game at the Selco Builders Warehouse Community Stadium in South Manchester.
The result ensured North End’s progression in another cup competition, following victory over Atherton Labernum Rovers Ladies in the FA Cup first qualifying round the previous weekend.
Askam’s and Hunt’s goalscoring exploits took their season tallies, in competitive action, to four and three, respectively.
There was also the opportunity for Megan Mercer, Abi Jones and Ella Radcliffe to make their first competitive starts of the season for the first team.
The win sets up a second round tie in the Argyle Cup, again on the outskirts of Manchester, with North End set to travel to Salford City Lionesses – who sit one division higher than the Lilywhites – on Sunday 9th October with a 2pm kick-off.
Speaking after the win against Wythenshawe, co-manager David Rawcliffe said: “We are delighted with another win on the back of last win’s FA Cup result.
“I thought we started to control the game in the last 20 to 25 minutes of the first half and the first goal from Liv Askam gave us the confidence to press on.
“At half-time, we changed formation to give us more control and the girls did exactly as we asked. The second goal was vital for us and I thought we passed the ball around very well in the second half, trying to dominate possession.
“It’s another good result, especially away from home, and everyone is delighted.”
There has been plenty of cup action of late for PNE, and following last weekend’s FA Cup win against Atherton Labernum, North End are now due to travel to FC St Helens Women this weekend in the competition’s second qualifying round.
Rawcliffe continued: “We are proud to represent PNE in the FA Cup and are looking forward to the tie on Sunday.
“It will be another difficult game away from home, but we go into it full of confidence after the last couple of results.
“The team will be focused on winning the game and getting into the next round. We will go out and give it everything to progress.”
In further cup competition news, after receiving a bye in the first round, PNE Women will host Bolton Wanderers Girls Reserves in the Lancashire FA Women’s Challenge Cup second round on Sunday 16th October 2022. Click here for all first team fixtures and results.