James nets on debut in PNE win

09 February 2010 21:48
The England Under-20 and Manchester United midfielder, 18, claimed the credit in the 10th minute when his low 20-yard shot deflected off Blades defender Nyron Nosworthy and wrongfooted goalkeeper Ian Bennett.[LNB]Jon Parkin added a killer second for Darren Ferguson's men in the 71st minute, tucking away the rebound after his penalty was saved by Bennett before United winger Mark Yeates grabbed a late consolation.[LNB]Victory was no more than Preston deserved against a United side who offered precious little goal threat until the closing stages and who have now claimed just one point from four matches.[LNB]The result was a welcome tonic for Preston after two successive defeats but their opener owed much to good fortune.[LNB]Parkin did well to engineer the space down the left flank to find Danny Welbeck - another youngster on loan from Old Trafford - and he showed intelligence to find James 20 yards from goal.[LNB]The teenager struck a hopeful low right-foot shot which deflected off Nosworthy and past the stranded Bennett.[LNB]United's 18-year-old debutant Kyle Bartley, signed on a three-month loan from Arsenal, cut an assured figure at the heart of the visitors' defence.[LNB]However, the Blades were lucky to survive in the 28th minute when Parkin unleashed a right-foot shot which rebounded off the crossbar.[LNB]Moments later Welbeck hit the turf under a visiting challenge but referee Eddie Ilderton ignored the vociferous home appeals for a penalty.[LNB]Blackwell's men offered next to nothing as a creative force in the opening 45 minutes but they almost caught Preston cold within 12 seconds of the restart.[LNB]Yeates broke the offside trap and found himself with only Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan to beat.[LNB]Yeates hit a low right-foot shot which the previously unemployed Lonergan did well to deflect on to a post before the danger was cleared.[LNB]Four minutes later, Ched Evans drove a low ball across the face of goal but Richard Cresswell could not divert the ball into the net from just six yards out.[LNB]Parkin then warmed Bennett's hands from distance before Preston wrapped up the points with 19 minutes remaining.[LNB]Ross Wallace's cross was chested down by the lively Welbeck and Nosworthy clumsily shoved him in the back to prevent him taking a strike at goal.[LNB]The referee pointed straight to the spot and, though Parkin's first effort was well saved by Bennett, the big striker comfortably swept home the rebound unopposed to cap United's misery.[LNB]Yeates, arguably United's best performer, volleyed home from 10 yards with nine minutes remaining but, despite a late rally, the visitors could not force an equaliser.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk