Preston Manor Royals Suffer Heavy Defeat At Home To Welcroft Park Rangers
⚽ Result
Preston Manor Royals 0
Welcroft Park Rangers Firs 3
🏆 Competition
Gray Hooper Holt LLP Mid Sussex Football League Division 1 South
Home league match
📅 When
Saturday, 24 October 2026
📍 Venue
Portslade aldridge community acadamy (Home)
On 24 October 2026, Preston Manor Royals hosted Welcroft Park Rangers First at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy in a league encounter kicking off at 3:30pm. The Royals endured a tough afternoon, ultimately succumbing 3-0 to their visitors after a challenging 90 minutes plus added time under referee Calegro Rizzo.
Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, aiming to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Freddie Sellers took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper. The back four consisted of Sam Copeland at right back, Dominic Hewitt and Adam Arnold as central defenders, and Gillan Williams operating on the left flank. Michael Russell was deployed as the holding central midfielder, tasked with shielding the defence and distributing play. Ahead of him, Harvey Cagney and Valery Jingwa occupied the right and left attacking midfield positions respectively, expected to support both defence and attack. The front three featured Tipu Miah on the right wing, Steven Anjorin leading the line as striker, and Jake Atherton on the left wing, all charged with breaking down the Welcroft Park defence. The bench included Daniel Clark, Gary Valaydon, Omar Ebada, Ben Weller, and Finley Darby.
The match began with Preston Manor Royals trying to impose their attacking shape, but it was Welcroft Park Rangers who struck first. At the 21st minute mark, the visitors capitalised on a defensive lapse, scoring inside the box with a precise left-footed finish that put the Royals behind early. Prior to this, Valery Jingwa had an effort wide in the 20th minute, signalling the Royals’ intent to respond.
As the first half progressed, Preston Manor Royals pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Valery Jingwa was prominent on the left attacking midfield, testing the opposition keeper with a shot saved at the 40th minute and another attempt going wide two minutes later. Michael Russell also had a wide effort in the 43rd minute, but the Royals struggled to convert their chances into goals. The half closed with Welcroft Park Rangers holding a slender lead.
At half time, Preston Manor Royals made two immediate substitutions to freshen their attacking options. Gary Valaydon replaced Tipu Miah on the right wing, while Daniel Clark came on for Harvey Cagney on the right attacking midfield. These changes aimed to inject energy and creativity into the midfield and forward areas.
The second half saw further tactical adjustments. At 59 minutes, Harvey Cagney was reintroduced, this time replacing striker Steven Anjorin, signalling a shift in formation or approach to regain control in midfield. Gary Valaydon, now on the right wing, had a shot saved in the 63rd minute, showing some promise in attack.
Defensively, Gillan Williams was alert to block a clear chance in the 64th minute, preventing Welcroft Park from extending their lead. However, the visitors doubled their advantage just two minutes later with a skilful lob over the Royals’ defence, finished neatly with the right foot.
In response, Preston Manor Royals made further substitutions to shore up the defence and midfield. Omar Ebada replaced left back Gillan Williams in the 67th minute, and Ben Weller came on for Valery Jingwa on the left attacking midfield at 70 minutes. These changes were likely designed to stem the flow of Welcroft Park attacks and add fresh legs.
Despite these efforts, Welcroft Park Rangers struck again in the 79th minute with a clinical inside-the-box finish using the left foot, extending their lead to 3-0. Freddie Sellers was called into action shortly before this goal, producing a vital parry to keep the scoreline from worsening earlier in the move.
Preston Manor Royals made their final substitution in the 80th minute, with Finley Darby replacing right back Sam Copeland, possibly to reinforce the defensive line in the closing stages. However, the visitors maintained control and saw out the remainder of the match comfortably.
Ultimately, Preston Manor Royals were unable to break down a resolute Welcroft Park Rangers defence and were punished on the counterattack and set pieces. The 3-0 home defeat leaves the Royals with much to reflect on as they look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
