PRESTON NORTH END 0 COUNTY 1

After last week's 2-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest County travelled the short distance to Bamber Bridge to take on another quality side in Preston North End.

The visitors nearly went ahead after seven minutes when left winger Krystle Johnson made a strong run down the flank and hit one of her trade mark rocket's only to see it unluckily rebound to safety off the Preston post. This was then followed by Preston having a couple of long range efforts themselves but they lacked power and were comfortably collected by County keeper Sian Payne.

On the half hour mark County took the lead when Keeleigh Savage got onto the end of a Krystle Johnson cross and at the break the away side went in with a narrow advantage.

The second period started with Preston once again having the majority of the possession but were once again kept at arm's length by the County defence of Claire Harrop, Kerry Jackson and Hannah Clarke.

On 64 minutes County forward Caroline Price went close after some good work finished with a 20 yard shot that went just over the bar. This was then followed only 60 seconds later by another close effort by Hatters captain Nikki Doig.

On 70 minutes County hit the woodwork for the second time when Doig broke into the area only to see the Preston keeper get a hand to her goal bound shot and deflect the ball off the post to safety.

The home side probably had their best chance when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out which was sent in with power and looked to be dipping just under the bar until keeper Payne got her fingertips to it and pushed it over for a corner.

The rest of the match was played out with the home side pushing forward looking for the equalizer and with County making three substitutions bringing on Jane Fox, Rachel Pearse and Sarah Howden but time ran out for Preston and County took all three points.

A good result for County against a strong Preston team who come the end of the season are sure to be up at the top end of the table. Also with Dee Mannion and Tracey Sloane now back in training after injury and biting at the bit competition for places should be greater than ever.

Team: Payne, Clarke, Harrop, Jackson, Doig, Wynn, Higginson, Spencer, Johnson, Savage, Price, Pearse, Howden, Fox, Cummins, Sloane.

RESERVES

In the League Cup the reserves beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 away.

In a rather scrappy opening period, the first real constructive play from County ended with the ball in the back of the Sheffield net after ten minutes. Sally Wood and Phoenix Chow combined to feed the ball out to Mary O'Neill cutting in from the right hit her shot over the keeper and in off the far post.

The lead was close to being increased many times from then on. In the 15^th minute Sally Wood crossed for Vicky McConnell's effort to be cleared off the line, and twelve minutes later a Vicky McConnell lay back was struck high towards the top corner by Georgina Watton, but the excellent Wednesday keeper kept it out. From the corner a Sally Wood header was saved on the line, and the keeper saved again from another corner in the 33^rd minute.

In the 38^th minute Jane Webb broke up a rare Sheffield attack with a good tackle, and the County defence looked solid. In the last minute of the half, Mary O'Neill's strong tackle took her to the edge of the box where she crossed, but this was smothered by the keeper. This was followed by a free kick from Wednesday which was cleared by Jane Webb.

In the 50^th minute Vicky McConnell's free kick curled over the bar, and Phoenix Chow's snap shot also cleared the bar ten minutes later after a six player Stockport move created the opening.

County had played most of the football throughout, and although not creating as many chances as in the first half, the quality of play was high. In the 66^th minute Carley Davies pass to Kate Sweeney and her interchange with Claire Tenzer to create space to cross to the near post for Sally Wood's head to be foiled again by the keeper. Vicky McConnell made several great crosses but they could not be converted, but it was Wednesday beginning to put pressure on and Stockport withstood a number of corners, Nikki Connor heading clear.

The all action-match continued right to the last minute with County going close again. Overall, a very good performance sees County through to the next round, to be played on the 28^th October.

Player of the match: Carley Davies.

BLUES

There was also another win for the Blues who were 9 - 0 winners over Chaddy End.

Katie Race scored 4 of the goals with Lauren Cooke (3) and Clare Purvis (2) scoring the others.

JUNIORS

Chantelle Kelly, Cheryl Burns and Hannah Kibble were on target for the Under-16s in their well-earned 3-1 victory over Bradwell Belles in the Cheshire Girls League on Saturday.

Millie Turner was voted Player of the Match in the Under-13s win over Unicorn Pumas, who despite the result pushed County all the way. The goal scorers were Millie Turner (4), Kirsty Ward (5), Jodie Moir (3), Helen Taylor (2), Alex Mill (2) and Laura Dunn.

The Under-11s had a fantastic 6-1 win against Unicorn. The goal scorers were Kirsty Ward (3), Bethany Clark, Chloe Ankers and an own goal.

Player of the Match was Kirsty Ward.

The Under-10s and Under-11s also had a great time playing on the Edgeley Park pitch at half on Saturday as part of the Ladies Day activities.