Preston North End Women recorded an emphatic 5-1 victory over Morecambe Ladies in the Argyle Sports Plate Cup, with Madison Hadley netting four goals.
The Lilywhites started the game very strongly, having control of possession and putting the pressure on the Reds from early on.
Hadley was the first PNE player to get a shot on goal, she was unlucky to see her shot go straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Hadley continued to cause problems upfront, going close without finding the back of the net.
Charlotte Greenwood found herself at the back post minutes later, but was unable to stretch to reach the ball in time.
The Lilywhites looked comfortable in possession, passing out from the back and building momentum further up the pitch.
Another chance came, this time it was Liv Askam who found herself in front of goal but she squared her shot just wide of the post.
Morecambe’s frustrations began to grow after struggling to gain possession of the ball and this was to the home side's advantage.
Not long after, Beth Wilson found herself in a dangerous position and tested the keeper, whose save spilled across the goal and there was nobody on hand to tap-in.
All that PNE needed was a goal to deservedly put them ahead.
And that elusive goal eventually arrived when Hadley slotted home.
The girls got into their rhythm and before half-time, they doubled their lead with Hadley assisting Askam, who turned her marker and made the most of the one-on-one with the keeper.
Hadley was in the right place at the right time for PNE’s third of the match, before an unfortunate error by the hosts led to Morecambe clinching a goal back.
The Lilywhites reacted immediately, with Wilson crossing into the box for the impressive Hadley to complete her hat-trick.
A change in position benefitted Natalie Jacques and PNE, as the former got down the right hand side and assisted Hadley for her fourth of the afternoon, finding the top right corner to ensure an emphatic victory for the Lilywhites.
PNE Women Manager, Nigel Greenwood, provided his post-match thoughts:
“The game today was absolutely fantastic. It was nearly the perfect performance after the performance last week.
“We asked for a reaction and that is what we got. The football that was played out from the back was out of this world. Sometimes that is us at our best.”