In a spirited friendly encounter at the Punnetts Town Recreation Ground on 9th August 2025, Preston Manor Royals emerged victorious with a 3-1 win against their hosts, Punnetts Town. The match kicked off at 1:00 PM, showcasing a blend of tactical prowess and individual brilliance from both sides.
Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Ryan Thompson took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Sam Copeland on the right, Gillan Williams on the left, and the central defensive partnership of Dominic Hewitt and Yassir Lekbir. In front of them, Matt Howard operated as a central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Harvey Cagney on the right, Valery Jingwa on the left, and Ibrahim Jallow as the central striker, with Daniel Clark and Marlon Perrin providing support from the flanks.
The substitutes for Preston Manor Royals included João Pedro, Jake Atherton, Chay Burt, and Stiven Lopes, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The action began early, with Valery Jingwa converting a penalty in the 4th minute, following a foul on Marlon Perrin. This early goal set the tone for the Royals, who looked to assert their dominance. However, Punnetts Town responded with a penalty of their own in the 23rd minute, equalising through a left-footed strike that caught the Royals' defence off guard.
Marlon Perrin, a constant threat on the left flank, had two attempts in quick succession, both of which went wide, as he sought to restore the Royals' lead. The 30th minute saw a double substitution, with João Pedro and Jake Atherton entering the fray, replacing Ibrahim Jallow and Harvey Cagney, respectively, as the Royals looked to inject fresh energy into their attack.
Valery Jingwa was once again in the spotlight, scoring his second penalty of the match in the 36th minute, putting the Royals ahead 2-1. The momentum shifted firmly in favour of Preston Manor Royals, with Jingwa's confidence visibly rising. Just two minutes later, Perrin struck the post, narrowly missing out on extending the lead further.
As the first half drew to a close, Ryan Thompson showcased his goalkeeping skills with a crucial parry in the 14th minute, ensuring the Royals went into the break with a slender advantage. The referee, Steve Hassett, signalled half-time at 45 minutes, with the Royals leading 2-1.
The second half began with Matt Howard attempting to widen the gap, but his shot in the 55th minute went wide. In the 56th minute, Stiven Lopes replaced Valery Jingwa, who had already made a significant impact on the game. The substitutions continued as Valery Jingwa returned to the pitch shortly after, replacing Dominic Hewitt, indicating a tactical shift as the Royals aimed to maintain their attacking momentum.
João Pedro had a promising chance in the 62nd minute, but his effort was saved, reflecting the Royals' continued pressure on the Punnetts Town defence. Chay Burt also had an opportunity in the 66th minute, but his shot went wide, as the Royals sought to extend their lead.
In the 71st minute, Marlon Perrin found the back of the net with a well-placed left-footed shot, assisted by a short pass from Valery Jingwa, making it 3-1. This goal not only solidified the Royals' lead but also showcased the synergy between the two players. Following this, Daniel Clark and Harvey Cagney were introduced, replacing Perrin and Jingwa, respectively, as the Royals looked to manage the game effectively.
As the match approached its conclusion, Ibrahim Jallow re-entered the pitch in the 76th minute, taking the place of Yassir Lekbir, as the Royals aimed to maintain their defensive solidity while looking for further attacking opportunities.
The match concluded with Preston Manor Royals securing a convincing 3-1 victory over Punnetts Town, a result that highlighted their attacking prowess and tactical discipline. Matt Howard's performance stood out, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match, as the Royals left the pitch with their heads held high, ready to build on this success in future fixtures.
