Preston North End have loaned youngster Dana Amaral to Ashton United – and the midfielder has marked his debut with a goal.
The World Cup break has arrived and fans will be turning their attention to the game’s biggest event.
Yet there is still non-league action to savour in England and supporters around the country will be heading to games outside of the Football League.
This window where PNE aren’t playing but non-league clubs are in action opens up a period for youngsters to go out on loan.
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Midfielder Amaral has now left North End for some experience with Ashton United down in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Amaral only completed his move on Friday but was straight into the starting lineup as Ashton United took on Bamber Bridge.
Amaral made a perfect start, hammering in a long-range strike to put the Robins 1-0 up.
Ashton United secured a 3-0 win and Amaral will be buzzing with a dream debut; a great goal, three points and a clean sheet. It doesn’t get much better than that as far as debuts go.
The 19-year-old has been coming up through the PNE ranks and caught the eye of boss Ryan Lowe at the back end of last season.
Amaral spent time around the North End first-team for training over pre-season and Lowe was unsure about sending him out on loan.
The teenager now has his loan move though and he has enjoyed a great start – even if Ashton United may have had loftier targets in the first place.
Ashton United tweeted on Monday that they had submitted a loan approach to Manchester City for striker Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian goal machine won’t be playing during the World Cup and Ashton United offered up a temporary home with a tongue-in-cheek move.
City were never going to let that happen but with Amaral finding the net, who needs Haaland anyway?