North End progressed in the Lancashire Cup with a fantastic performance and result against Manchester City at Preston Sports Arena.

The Lilywhites thrashed the Blues 4-1 in the third meeting of the teams this season. It was a game that many had predicted to be an even encounter due to the victory a piece from the earlier matches.

The first 25 minutes produced just that with both teams having equal possession and opportunities. The deadlock was broken in the 28^th minute when Sarah McCrea won a penalty for the home side, Mel Martin converted despite the City keeper getting a touch on the ball.

City immediately searched for an equaliser with the North End crossbar preventing them from levelling. Keeper for the Whites Emma Reader also maintained her sides lead in the 42^nd minute pushing a City shot onto the post.

Just before the interval North End increased their lead. Captain Sarah Berry and Sam Cadwallader linked up well from a quick free kick, the ball was played through to Fiona Dransfield who finished, placing the ball past the keeper into the bottom left-hand corner.

After the interval it was City who were first to find the back of the net. In the tenth minute of the half a City corner came in with the referee blowing his whistle and awarding a penalty for an alleged push in the box.

With the penalty converted, City had a lifeline and for a spell looked like they could get back on equal terms. It was North End however who extended their lead further through Sarah McCrea in the 63^rd minute.

The lead was soon increased to 4-1 when Fiona Dransfield produced her second of the game. She latched on to a Sam Cadwallader pass and finished with conviction.

The score remained the dame despite North End having further opportunities to punish the Mancunians. Substitute Hannah Bailey produced two excellent shots one following good build up play by the team and the second through Cadwallader unselfishly squaring the bal, however both were well saved by the City keeper.