Match Report: Huddersfield Town 1-4 Preston North End - PNE turn on the style in the Carabao Cup
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Troy Parrott opened the scoring for PNE, with a double from Ali McCann and Brad Potts adding to the tally before Jordan Rhodes netted a consolation for the home side.
Ryan Lowe made six changes to the Championship draw with Hull City on Saturday, with Patrick Bauer, Greg Cunningham, Ryan Ledson, Alvaro Fernandez, Ali McCann and Ben Woodburn coming into the side.
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Hide AdThere were places on the bench too for youngsters Jacob Slater, Lewis Leigh, Dana Amaral and Mikey O'Neill - with Matthew Olosunde also amongst the subs on his return from injury.
PNE came out of the blocks quickly and set the tone with a high press in the opening seconds of the game, nearly robbing the Terriers 'keeper of the ball.
After just six minutes though, they had the lead. Patient build up was followed up by an increase in intensity as the ball got into the home side's half, Ryan Ledson's shot from the edge of the box was saved down low but Parrott was on the spot to turn the ball into the net.
He nearly doubled his and PNE's tally four minutes later, allowed to carry the ball into the area making a good angle to strike but he dragged the shot wide of the far post.
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Hide AdJust seconds later Brad Potts saw a goal of the season contender cannon back off the woodwork - forward from right wing back, he lashed a cross from the far side at goal and it hit both the crossbar and the post before bouncing safe.
After 19 minutes PNE had their second, Alvaro Fernandez got down the outside down the left and fizzed a low cross into the centre for the onrushing McCann who side-footed the ball into the back of the net.
It was rinse and repeat after 29 minutes after more fine football in the build up saw the sparkling Fernandez away down the left again and his cross into the centre was again met by McCann who finished off the repeat.
Lowe's men were threatening again six minutes before the break, the sparkling Fernandez firing a low ball forward into Parrott who did well to control on the run. He had McCann in support but chose to go alone, instead eating up the ground on the Northern Irishman and crowding himself out.
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Hide AdThere was concern in first half stoppage time as Fernandez picked up an ankle injury in a tackle, seeing his withdrawal just seconds before the half time whistle, being replaced by Daniel Johnson at the break.
PNE started the second half how they ended the first and could have had their fourth five minutes in, an excellent tackle from McCann presented the ball to Ben Woodburn who sent it goalwards only to see his effort come back off the crossbar, and then the back of Lee Nicholls, before the stopper could claim it.
But their search for a fourth was quickly over as Potts latched onto a loose pass out from the back, carrying the ball 20 yards to the edge of the box and firing for the far corner. His shot took a deflection on the way in but that did not stop the flying wing back's celebrations in front of the travelling support.
The home side began to get back into the game after a triple change and got themselves a goal back after 67 minutes. Tino Anjorin released Jordan Rhodes in behind and he showed composure to slot the ball past the onrushing Freddie Woodman.
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Hide AdFive minutes later Sorba Thomas tested the PNE 'keeper from distance, his well-hit drive beaten away.
There was a nice moment with seven minutes to go as Jacob Slater replaced Woodburn for his PNE debut at 17-years-old.
He was not the only debutant, as Lewis Leigh came on with two minutes to go to make his North End bow.
PNE Starting XI: Woodman, Storey, Bauer, Cunningham, Potts, Whiteman, Ledson (O'Neill, 83'), Fernandez (Johnson, 45'), McCann, Woodburn (Slater, 83'), Parrott (Riis, 59').PNE subs not used: Cornell, Olosunde, Leigh, Amaral.Huddersfield Town Starting XI: Nicholls, Spencer, Lees (Edmonds-Green, 76'), Boyle, Nakayama, Russell (Rudoni, 54'), Camara, Mahoney (Jackson, 84'), Holmes (Anjorin, 54'), Koroma (Thomas, 54'), Rhodes.Huddersfield subs not used: Bilokapic, Ruffels, Turton, Grant.
Attendance: 5,550 (1,026 away)