Preston 5, Chesterfield 0: North End second string enjoy biggest win of season

With the wind on their backs, the Spireites began well and forced North End keeper Li Bau Stowell to make a smart diving save in the opening minute after Ashton Stringer had been played through on goal.

In the next minute, central defender Olly Tonkin had to make a strong sliding tackle to prevent a cut-back from the by-line and after a lengthy stoppage he had to be helped off the pitch to be replaced by Joe Blake.

North End soon got into their stride with Marshall Longson having their first shot of the game saved by visiting goalkeeper Seth Cheesman.

In the 15th minute, the hosts took the lead when wing-back Kacper Pasiek picked the ball up on the left wing just over the half-way line.

He made a strong run into the penalty area after successfully holding off the challenge of two defenders before drilling the ball past Cheesman into the bottom corner of the net.

North End dominated proceedings for the rest of the half with young professionals Pasiek, Kaeydn Kamara, Theo Carroll and Noah Mawene all influencing the creation of several more chances which did not produce any more goals before the half-time whistle.

Just after the break, Stowell did well in saving a one-on-one with his foot from Stringer but after this it was all one-way traffic as a rampant North End turned the screw.

Three minutes into the half, Kaeydn Kamara doubled the home side’s advantage with a brilliant goal on the counter attack after Chesterfield had pushed up for a free kick.

The build-up involved good work by Harry Stringfellow and Marshall Longson who played the ball through for Kamara who made a strong run with the ball into the area before firing the ball into the net.

Shortly after, lively first year scholar Longson cut the ball back for substitute Sonto Ifueze but his shot was blocked. He then teed-up Theo Carroll who was also having a busy game upon his return from injury but his shot flew over the bar.

Longson was not to be denied an assist when he freed Kamara who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the area for the third goal in the 59th minute.

Eight minutes later, captain Noah Mawene was the next person to get on the scoresheet when he twisted and wriggled away from his marker before hitting a low shot on the turn into the net.

Ifueze looked certain to add a fifth goal but his shot from close range with the goal at his mercy cannoned off the post.

The scoring was completed in the 71st minute by Kacper Pasiek, who after being tripped in the area, dusted himself down before sending the keeper the wrong way from the resulting spot-kick which capped off a solid individual performance.