THERE was a bumper turn out at Victory Park as Preston North End comfortably retained the Jack Kirkland Trophy in the annual pre-season challenge against Chorley.
A crowd of 1,502 saw Preston, relegated from the Championship last season, open up the scoring with a well-taken goal on 17 minutes from Iain Hume, who capitalised on a misplaced pass as Chorley brought the ball out of defence.
That set the lively visitors on their way and only a goal-line clearance by Andy Russell prevented Danny Mayor from adding a second just before half-time.
Hume and Neil Mellor were a forceful strike-pair for Preston in the first half but the Magpies, while impressing with some neat one-touch football in midfield, got little change out of a composed Preston defence in the final third.
Both sides made changes for and during the second half – Chorley giving a debut to pacy ex-Clitheroe midfielder Tom Williams.
North End went two up after 71 minutes when Jamie Proctor took advantage of a misjudg-ement of the bounce of the ball by Chorley substitute Wayne Maden (returning after missing most of last term through injury) to apply a sublime finish past Chris Howarth.
Chorley fought spiritedly to the end and Russell was denied a deserved late goal by a tremendous save by Andreas Arestidou in the North End goal.
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