OLDHAM 1 PRESTON NORTH END WFC A 2 SARAH 'Giggsy' Berry got PNE Ladies A team out of a tight spot to give the team a victory in their first game of the season.

The player named as Preston's player of the season for 97-98 scored not once, but twice, in the three-penalty fiasco of a game.

The PNE team faced a lack-lustre Oldham in a game which was littered with questionable decisions from the referee and the referee's assistants.

Most of which were highlighted loudly by PNE coach Neil Cottam!

Preston dominated the first half of the match and showed their true colours when a Beckham-style shot from the Preston captain Louise hit the target, yet was disallowed.

The rest of the half saw the majority of the action played in midfield with Preston's strength proving the better.

After making their presence felt in the first half, Preston came out and almost looked second best on the pitch and the team seemed to have completely lost their edge until the first penalty.

This was given 15 minutes into the second half and heralded the first of Giggsy's goals for the day.

At the other end of the pitch five minutes later another penalty was conceded, allowing Oldham to equalise.

Preston, being the comeback queens of the comeback, manoeuvred and gained another penalty for Giggsy to slot in, sealing the match with her golden boots!

The team showed strength and skill throughout the majority of the match and all that can be hoped is that last season's champions can hold their own in the newly-formed Northern Combination League.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.