Preston North End Reserves 1-2 United Reserves

Danny Carlton

With six first team injuries on the go it was hardly surprising that four youth team players were in the Carlisle starting eleven, although with three of those injuries coming upfront it was a slight surprise to see both Gary Madine and Danny Carlton featuring with only Danny Graham left to choose from in the forward ranks.

The match, played at Chorley's Victory Park, saw Liam Chilvers, returning to fitness for the home side, be substituted with a tight hamstring after just eight minutes. Chances were few and far between throughout the game with a Jeff Smith volley saved by North End goalkeeper Chris Neal being the only action of note in the early stages.

Jeff Smith was involved again though as Carlisle took the lead in the 27th minute, the Blues winger, playing on the right, sticking in a nice cross, after good approach play by Jonny Blake and Madine. Carlton being the lucky recipient of the ball in as he was able to head home into the corner of the Preston net.

North End weren't behind for long though after Nathan Fairhurst had been fouled, Fairhurst himself knocking the free-kick into the Carlisle penalty area from which former Burnley youth-teamer Rob Turner was able to head past Blues goalkeeper Chris Howarth at the back-post.

The goals were flowing now and in the 40th minute United scored what would prove to be the winning goal of the game. A long-range shot from Blake hitting Madine on the way through as it totally wrongfooted Neal in the Preston net to put the Cumbrians 2-1 up.

No more goals were to follow as the second-half descended into a stalemate although Madine did have two shots on goal, one cleared off the line from close range by Dean Stott and another saved by Neal. The only real North End chance for a late leveller coming when Michael Conchie headed over from a Turner cross.


Preston line-up :

Chris Neal, Dean Stott, Conor McLaughlin (Phil Appiah 74), Nathan Fairhurst (c), Tom Smyth, Liam Chilvers (Dominic Collins 8), Danny Mayor, Adam Barton, Robert Turner, Neil Dougan (Michael Conchie 60), Sam Hart.

Unused substitute :

Jack Cudworth (GK).


United line-up :

Chris Howarth, Simon Lakeland, Darren Campion, Josh Gowling, Tom Aldred, Jonny Blake, Jeff Smith, Grant Smith, Danny Carlton, Gary Madine, Connor Tinnion.

Substitutes :

Alex Mitchell (GK), Andy Cook, Matt Duffy, Liam Davison and John Seaton.


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