Preston started well dominating the early stages of the match, Dale looked like a side that had not played for 8 weeks. Preston went close but defender Pearson and Dale's keeper both got a touch on the ball and it was deflected onto the post and cleared safely. Preston saw most of the ball but dogged defending by McElhinney, Burtonwood, Cummins and Pearson kept Preston to a few chances in front of goal.
Dale's first goal came against the run of play as Rachael Wood picked up the ball on the left wing and ran alongside the sideline beating two Preston defenders, she got to the corner flag and put in a superb pinpoint cross on to Aly Hastie's head, Hastie rose the highest in the box and directed home a brilliant header 1 nil to Dale on the 25th minute
The goal deflated Preston and Dale began to settle down and passed the ball well, Lyndesy Burtonwood's hard work nearly paid off with a goal as she disposed the Preston left midfielder and found herself running down on goal, she fired a shot only missing by inches. Sarah Buffel, Steph Bell and Keeleigh Savage in Dale's midfield now ran the show, Buffel found Rachael Wood this time out on the right wing, Woody picked out an incoming Steph Bell who headed home from outside the Preston's penalty area this second goal for Dale was as good as you would see in any
men's professional game.
After the break Channy Parry was introduced for Dale as Holly Newman, Holly suffered a niggle to a knee injury but her hard work rate was going to be a hard act to follow. Parry soon made an impact spraying passes around the pitch and Dale were now in charge. Wendy Andrews replaced Jennie Cummins ( back ) and slotted in well next to Claire Pearson at centre back.
Dale's third goal came as Keeleigh savage who normally plays as a target player found herself in a different rolebut that could not stop her from scoring a low shot with her left foot to seal the win for Dale,
Dale should have scored two more but missed open goals, Preston managed to pull a consolation goal with 5 minutes to go.
Dale are now in the third round of FA Cup and are away to Coventry on 6th Feb, Dale are also in the semi final of the Lancashire Cup which will be played next Sunday 30th Jan away to Blackburn Rovers.
