Preston North End lost 1-0 against Stockport County in former academy graduate Ben Hinchliffe’s testimonial. Jack Diamond scored the only goal of PNE’s penultimate friendly in an otherwise tight contest. Five minutes in, Daniel Iversen was called into action after his pass to Andrew Hughes was a little tame. Diamond latched onto it and dinked a ball over to Kyle Wootton who headed it towards the goal, but the Dane saved well to his left.
What happened?
Pol Valentin cleared from a Harry Wood drive on 10 minutes before, at the other end, Jordan Thompson’s effort on the edge of the box was deflected behind for a corner. Andy Vukcevic was forced off after 24 minutes, with Liam Lindsay coming on in his place. He went down awkwardly seconds after a coming together with a Stockport man. Another first half substitute Ed Nolan, on for Pol Valentin, sent in a ball from the right which clipped the crossbar with three minutes to go until the break.
Why it matters for Preston
Loanee Jusef Erabi struck from inside the box with seconds of the first 45 remaining, but the effort was blocked by a Stockport man. Into the second half, Andrew Hughes saw a powerful volley just fall the wrong side of goal, before Andrew Moran charged forward and fired towards goal, however it was blocked by a Hatters defender. Iversen denied Norwood from close range after a sweeping cross from the right.
What comes next?
Diamond gave Stockport the lead on 71 minutes, angling a shot towards the bottom right corner after a ball was played across. Young striker George Gryba had an effort just before full time, it crept just wide of the post. PNE play FC Barcelona behind closed doors on Monday at St George’s Park.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 14th in Championship, 60 pts, 15W-15D-16L from 46 games, recent form LWLLW. Goals this season: 55 scored, 62 conceded (-7 goal difference). Title race: 35 points behind leaders Coventry. Last result: Preston 1-3 Southampton (2026-05-02). Recent form (last 1): 0W-0D-1L (L, most recent first). Next fixture: vs Bolton (away, 2026-08-15).
