IT'S NOW or never for Preston this Saturday as their long awaited league season begins.

After five weeks of intensive training and practice games, this youthful side are now well prepared to take on the Welsh based team Northop Hall.

And they can take great heart from a impressive performance, especially in the first half, against an experienced Warrington team.

The basis of this performance was attributed to the new look defensive lineup. Coach Colin Sinclair has tried several different players in defence with only one common denominator, captain Richard Sullivan.

Alongside the skipper on Saturday was his younger brother David and university student Ian Brown. Their speed of foot and thought were in evidence on Saturday as Brown made several superb covering tackles. David Sullivan also impressed at right back with his crisp distribution of the ball and tenacious tackling. Indeed it was his threaded through ball to Sam Sinclair which set up the opening goal.

Sinclair shimmied his way past a couple of defenders before delivering a pinpoint pass to Adam Wilson who made no mistake from close range.

The visitors embarked on several dangerous counter attacks but were thwarted by a concerted defensive effort by Preston's defence and midfield.

But this resistance was finally shattered as Warrington capitalised on two penalty corner decisions. Firstly a deflected shot cruelly evaded a diving Simon Eccleston in goal. Then only minutes later another short corner was slotted away by Warrington captain Tim Martin following a scramble in the D.

A shellshocked Preston side slowly regained their composure depsite the sweltering conditions. And midfield linchpin Mark Flecther was soon beginning to stamp his authority on the game.

Indeed it was Fletcher's tireless work in midfield that finally created Preston's equaliser. His through ball to Phil Bowman allowed the gangly striker the necessary room to hammer a blistering drive into the top corner of the net.

Preston must now focus on Saturday when the real test comes. With each passing week this young side has developed in terms of skill, temperament and spirit. They will need all these traits in order to begin their season in style.

RESULT: Preston 2 Warrington 2