Preston Manor Royals hosted Oxted & District at the Falmer Sports Complex on 4 October 2025, with kick-off at 3:00pm. In a competitive league fixture lasting 96 minutes plus added time, Preston Manor Royals emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. The Royals demonstrated control and resilience to claim all three points in front of a modest crowd of ten spectators.
The Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying a solid defensive back four with Sam Copeland at right back, Adam Arnold and Yassir Lekbir as central defenders, and Gillan Williams on the left. Ryan Thompson guarded the goal. Jake Atherton operated as the lone holding midfielder, shielding the defence and linking play. Ahead of him, Valery Jingwa took up the right attacking midfield role, while Mike SerrĂŁo started on the left attacking midfield. The front three consisted of Harvey Cagney on the right wing, Carlton Najomo leading the line as striker, and Daniel Clark on the left forward position. The substitutes available were Musa Omar, Daren Calver, Mark Baroni, Leon Momann, and Keir Standing.
From the outset, Preston Manor Royals looked to impose themselves. Valery Jingwa’s early attempt in the second minute drifted wide, signalling intent but lacking precision. The Royals’ first goal arrived in the 14th minute through Jingwa, who expertly finished with his left foot following a well-crafted team move. The assist came from a precise cross by left back Gillan Williams, highlighting the full-back’s attacking contribution.
Goalkeeper Ryan Thompson was called into action in the 20th minute with a sharp dive at the feet of an Oxted & District attacker, maintaining the Royals’ clean sheet. The first substitution came in the 31st minute when Musa Omar replaced Mike Serrão, injecting fresh energy into the left attacking midfield position.
Harvey Cagney found himself twice flagged offside in quick succession at the 35th and 36th minutes, both correct decisions due to a mistimed run and solid defending by the visitors. Despite these setbacks, the Royals continued to press, with Carlton Najomo’s effort in the 39th minute going wide. Sam Copeland made a notable tackle at the 40th minute, although it did not prevent a chance developing for Oxted & District.
Thompson’s reliability was again evident with a secure catch in the 41st minute. Moments later, Cagney struck the crossbar at the 42nd minute, coming agonisingly close to doubling the lead. However, an offside call against Cagney at 43 minutes was controversially incorrect, as his run appeared timed well.
The first half concluded with Najomo having another shot saved just before the break, maintaining the Royals’ slender advantage at 1-0.
The second half began with Najomo again denied by the opposition goalkeeper in the 48th minute. Oxted & District responded with a well-taken equaliser in the 55th minute, a powerful right-footed strike from outside the box that found the net despite Thompson’s efforts.
Preston Manor Royals made a tactical change in the 58th minute, bringing on Daren Calver for Sam Copeland at right back. Jingwa’s attempt in the 63rd minute went wide, but the Royals regained the lead in the 66th minute when Najomo rose highest to head home a close-range cross from substitute Musa Omar.
Najomo was replaced by Mark Baroni two minutes later, signalling a shift in attacking options. Leon Momann came on for left back Gillan Williams in the 76th minute, while Harvey Cagney’s high shot in the 84th minute failed to trouble the keeper. Cagney was then substituted off for Keir Standing in the 85th minute.
An injury forced another change at 88 minutes, with Sam Copeland returning to the field to replace Jake Atherton in midfield. Thompson remained alert, catching a dangerous cross in the 89th minute to keep the Royals ahead.
Leon Momann was correctly flagged offside for a mistimed run at the 90th minute. The Royals sealed the victory in the 91st minute when Keir Standing scored from close range, converting a short pass from Daniel Clark inside the box with his right foot.
Late attempts from Musa Omar in the 94th minute and Daren Calver in the 96th minute were either saved or sailed high, but the result was never in doubt.
Jake Atherton’s industrious midfield display earned him the player of the match accolade, underpinning Preston Manor Royals’ control throughout the fixture. The referee, Lee Wakefield, officiated with distinction, maintaining a high standard across the 96 minutes.
In summary, Preston Manor Royals showcased effective teamwork, tactical flexibility, and clinical finishing to overcome Oxted & District 3-1 at home, consolidating their league position with a confident performance.
