A Hannah Bailey hat-trick maintained PNE WFC's one hundred per cent start to the campaign as they defeated Newcastle in the north east.

A positive start by Preston saw them create early chances in the 7th and 10th minutes when Bailey had chances to convert that were not taken.

Preston were to rue these misses as Newcastle took advantage of a defensive mistake to take the lead in the 15th minute and Preston were soon forced in to defensive action again as Captain Sarah Berry cleared off the line.

But those early set-backs seemed to spur Preston into action and just minutes later Hannah Bailey latched onto a through ball and smoothly rounded the keeper to slot home Preston's equaliser.

North End were under severe defensive pressure just before the break but the defence held firm and the scores remained level at half-time.

Manager Simon Gerrard had some strong words during the break urging the players to stick to the instructions he had delivered prior to the game.

But it was the home side which started the brighter, with a Newcastle shot that fortunately for North End came back off the post.

Preston then quickly moved the ball to the other end of the pitch and took the lead, with Bailey taking her second of the game.

Preston seemed to improve as the half went on and the substitutes all made impacts on their introduction to the fray with Sam Cadwallader coming close just seconds after coming on to the pitch.

Sarah McCrae another Preston sub had a fine shot well saved by the Newcastle keeper in the 79th minute the save fell invitingly to Bailey who thought's of a hat-trick on her mind spurned her chance.

But Baily was not to be denied and great play just a couple of minutes later allowed Bailey a second chance and she superbly lashed in a McCrae cross for the deserved hat-trick.

Preston played the final minutes at a great pace and were only troubled by a late free kick that was tipped over well by Preston's keeper Emma Reader.

Preston play at home v Rotherham United at Bamber Bridge FC this Sunday the 2nd of September with a 2pm KO.