Last Wednesday Preston wrapped up the the title this season for their second championship victory in the last three years, but only just. North End before their home game with Wigan needing all three points to knock Burnley down into runners-up spot by a point, and managing to thanks to a strike as late as the 87th minute from Sam Osobe as the Lilywhites just sneaked top spot with a 2-1 win.
Wigan, in the final fixture of the youth league this season at home to Morecambe on Saturday morning, losing 2-1 again to end their season in disappointing style. The final tale of the tape in the north-west conference past Preston and Burnley seeing Walsall, Carlisle and Tranmere complete the top five, with the Saddlers and the Blues joint top scorers in the division with a hefty 62 goals.
That though five fewer than Blackpool conceded as they had another dreadful season as they took home nothing but the wooden spoon, with Accrington just avoiding that ignominy by virtue of a having goal difference just three better than that of the Seasiders. Honours elsewhere meanwhile across the country seeing Hull City finish first and Doncaster Rovers second in the north-east, while down south it was Plymouth Argyle pipping Bristol Rovers to the title in the western conference and Queens Park Rangers coming first and Brighton & Hove Albion second over in the east.
So, after finishing second in their division this season it was on to the Youth Alliance League Cup for Doncaster on Tuesday evening as they took on southern area winners Exeter City down at St James Park. Home advantage certainly not helping the Grecians though, as despite playing in front of a healthy attendance of 1,516 supporters they went down heavily 4-0 as Jordan Ball with two goals, skipper Brett Lucas and Josh Meade all got on the Rovers scoresheet.
Finally, after competing for honours against each other all season Preston have pipped Burnley to the post again this evening in the Lancashire FA Youth Cup final at Deepdale, the Lilywhites, having now won the competition for four years in a row, victorious 1-0 thanks to a 57th minute Brandon Zibaka goal as 1,085 fans looked on. North End then making it a hat-trick of titles this season with that cup success, while also claiming the north-west reserve and youth divisions, but the Clarets, who also finished second at reserve level, are left to reflect on three runners-up medals this season.
Result in the division on Wednesday 25th April
Preston North End 2-1 Wigan Athletic (10.30am)
Final result in the division on Saturday 28th April
Wigan Athletic 1-2 Morecambe (11am)
Youth Alliance League Cup Final on Tuesday 1st May
Exeter City 0-4 Doncaster Rovers (7pm)
Lancashire FA Youth Cup Final on Wednesday 2nd May
Preston North End 1-0 Burnley (7pm)
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