4-2

Preston N E reached the seem finals of the inaugural North West Cup Competition at the first time of asking last night at Preston Sports Arena. Having disposed of Oldham and Tranmere in the group stages Preston with home advantage took on their long standing rivals in a tasty encounter under the lights with an 8pm kick off.

Both sides fielding their strongest teams fought for early supremacy during the early stages but it was the two midfield lads of Preston Jimmy Higgins and Matty Scott who gradually got a grip of the vital midfield area and as a result Preston wingers Jason and Andy Dodwell were seeing plenty of ball. Yet it was a long punt up field after a rare Bury attack that saw PNE open the scoring through their prolific goal scorer Chris Chambers.

It was all PNE now as their speed, fitness and passing skills open Bury up time after time, a second goal struck home by powerful midfield player jimmy Higgins soon followed. You could not see away back for Bury but a poor defensive display by the PNE back four let in a lone Bury striker to reduce the arrears.

The respond from PNE was instant and further strikes by Chris Chambers followed by a bit of magic from the other Preston midfield player Matty Scott that saw Preston go in at the break 4-1 to the good.

A few changes altered the fluency of the Preston game but they still did enough to carve out most of the chances in the second half yet it was Bury, who took advantage of poor defensive work from Preston to score the only goal of the second half and gave the score line a more respectful look.

Yet this game especially in the first half was totally dominated by a Preston team that's full of confidence and self belief. They work hard for each other and it's going to take good team to stop them reaching the final of the first ever North West Cup Competition.

Final score PNE 4 Bury 2

Preston man Of the match Jason Dodwell

Preston Scores

Chris Chambers 2
Matty Scott 1
Jimmy Higgins