Preston Manor Royals hosted BN Dons in a league fixture at the Falmer Sports Complex on 27 September 2025, kicking off promptly at 3:00pm. The match stretched to 100 minutes including added time, ending in a 3-2 defeat for the Royals in a closely contested 11-a-side encounter. Referee Gary Manville-Dickens oversaw the game with a solid performance, witnessed by a modest crowd of 20.
Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying a defensive quartet of Sam Copeland at right back, Dominic Hewitt and Yassir Lekbir as central defenders, and Gillan Williams on the left flank. Anchoring the midfield was Jake Atherton in a holding role, tasked with shielding the defence and distributing play. Ahead of him, Valery Jingwa operated on the right attacking midfield, with Daniel Clark on the left, both expected to support the front three. The attacking trio featured João Pedro on the right wing, Marlon Perrin as the central striker, and Stiven Lopes on the left wing, all charged with providing width and goal threat. The substitutes named were Harvey Cagney, Musa Omar, and Mark Baroni.
From the outset, Royals’ goalkeeper Adrian Bajka was called into action, producing a point-blank reaction save just four minutes in to deny an early BN Dons chance. Three minutes later, he punched clear a dangerous delivery, keeping the visitors at bay. Defensive solidity was evident when Dominic Hewitt executed a crucial tackle in the ninth minute to prevent a clear scoring opportunity. The Royals took the lead in the 13th minute through Valery Jingwa, who unleashed a superb left-footed long-range strike from outside the box, following a neat short pass from left back Gillan Williams.
Despite this bright start, defensive lapses crept in. At 26 minutes, Williams attempted a tackle but failed to prevent an advancing threat. The match grew increasingly physical, with João Pedro receiving a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 29th minute. Five minutes later, Williams was also booked for a bad tackle, reflecting the intensity of the contest. Bajka remained alert, diving at the feet of an attacker in the 35th minute to keep the Royals ahead.
Just before half-time, João Pedro doubled the Royals’ advantage with a close-range finish inside the box, expertly guided in with his right foot after a long pass from central defender Yassir Lekbir. Bajka’s heroics continued with another point-blank save in the 42nd minute, ensuring the Royals went into the break with a 2-0 lead. The half concluded at the 50-minute mark, slightly extended beyond the traditional 45 minutes.
The second half saw Bajka parry a powerful shot in the 53rd minute, but the visitors pulled one back immediately at 54 minutes with a close-range strike inside the box, their right-footed finish signalling a shift in momentum. Royals responded with attempts from Jingwa and Lopes in quick succession, both going wide, showing their intent to restore the two-goal cushion. Bajka’s safe hands were again on display with a confident catch at 58 minutes.
A tactical change followed as Harvey Cagney replaced João Pedro at the hour mark. The game remained heated, with Yassir Lekbir receiving a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 64th minute. Stiven Lopes was correctly flagged offside for a mistimed run two minutes later, halting a promising Royals attack.
BN Dons capitalised on their growing pressure, equalising with a close-range header in the 68th minute. Royals sought fresh impetus with Musa Omar coming on for Lopes in the 76th minute, and Mark Baroni replacing Jingwa four minutes later. Daniel Clark nearly restored the lead for the Royals in the 86th minute, his effort crashing against the crossbar. However, Baroni was booked for a bad tackle moments later, adding to the Royals’ disciplinary woes.
The visitors sealed the victory in the 89th minute with another close-range finish inside the box, a right-footed strike that proved decisive. Despite a valiant effort and moments of quality from Jake Atherton in midfield, who was named player of the match for his tireless work and distribution, Preston Manor Royals were unable to find a late equaliser.
In a fiercely competitive league encounter, the Royals showed promise but ultimately fell short against BN Dons at Falmer Sports Complex. The narrow 3-2 defeat leaves Preston Manor Royals with much to reflect on as they look ahead to their next fixture.
