In a closely contested league encounter at Reigate Rugby Club on 6th September 2025, Preston Manor Royals succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Reigate Priory U23. The match kicked off at 2:00pm, with both teams eager to secure vital points in the league standings.
Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Ryan Thompson took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Daren Calver on the right, Adam Arnold and Dominic Hewitt in central defence, and Gillan Williams on the left. Matt Howard operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. Ahead of him, Valery Jingwa and Mark Baroni occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles respectively, while Daniel Clark, Marlon Perrin, and Harvey Cagney formed a dynamic front three. The substitutes for the match included Jake Atherton and Musa Omar.
The match began with an early attempt from Mark Baroni, who fired high within the first minute, signalling the Royals' intent. Just a minute later, Marlon Perrin followed suit with another effort that also soared over the bar. The Royals continued to press, with Perrin again trying his luck in the 14th minute, but his shot went wide of the target.
Defensively, Daren Calver made a crucial tackle in the 16th minute, preventing a clear chance for the opposition and showcasing the Royals' resilience. However, the match took a turn when Harvey Cagney had to be substituted due to injury in the 23rd minute, with Jake Atherton coming on to replace him. As the first half progressed, Mark Baroni was also substituted in the 41st minute, with Musa Omar entering the fray.
As the teams headed into half-time, the score remained goalless, but the Royals had shown promise with their attacking play. The second half commenced with renewed energy, and Marlon Perrin had a shot saved in the 49th minute, followed by another high attempt just two minutes later. Valery Jingwa then struck the crossbar in the 51st minute, coming agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.
The breakthrough finally came in the 58th minute when Valery Jingwa found the net with a left-footed shot from close range, assisted by Marlon Perrin. The Royals celebrated their lead, but it was short-lived. Just three minutes later, the opposition equalised with a header from close range, leaving the Royals to regroup.
Reigate Priory U23 took the lead in the 65th minute with a stunning direct free-kick, struck with precision from long range. The Royals pushed for an equaliser, with Jingwa attempting another shot that went wide in the 67th minute, followed by a high effort from him again in the 69th minute. Jake Atherton also had a chance that went wide shortly after.
As the match entered the closing stages, Musa Omar had a late attempt in the 85th minute that failed to hit the target. In a tense finish, Dominic Hewitt received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 92nd minute, reflecting the mounting pressure on the Royals. Adam Arnold had one final chance in the 96th minute, but his shot went high, sealing a disappointing defeat for Preston Manor Royals.
Despite the loss, Jake Atherton was recognised for his performance and named Player of the Match, highlighting his contributions during a challenging encounter. The Royals will need to regroup and reflect on their performance as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.
