The Falmer Sports Complex witnessed an impressive display from Preston Manor Royals as they secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Ridgewood II on 19 October 2024. The match, which kicked off at 2:00pm, showcased the Royals' attacking prowess and solid defensive work, leading to a well-deserved win in this league home match.
Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-3-2-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a strong defensive base while providing ample support for their attacking players. Ryan Thompson took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Daren Calver on the right, Aziz Can Karan and Adam Arnold in central defence, and Gillan Williams on the left. The midfield trio comprised Dominic Hewitt on the right, Matt Howard centrally, and George Mathai on the left, while Mark Baroni and Stiven Lopes operated as attacking midfielders, supporting lone striker Marlon Perrin.
The substitutes for the Royals included Sam Copeland, Danny Grafton, Jake Burton, and Valery Jingwa, who would later play crucial roles in the match.
The game began with an early save from goalkeeper Ryan Thompson, who confidently caught a cross just a minute in. The Royals quickly asserted their dominance, with George Mathai making a slide rule key pass in the eighth minute, creating a chance that Stiven Lopes attempted but was saved. This was followed by another key pass from Gillan Williams, also in the eighth minute, which led to a further attempt from Marlon Perrin, but again, the Ridgewood II goalkeeper was equal to the task.
As the first half progressed, Thompson was called into action again, making a punch to clear danger in the 20th minute and then executing a point-blank reaction save just a minute later. He continued to show his reliability, catching another ball in the 22nd minute. However, the Royals faced an early setback when Daren Calver had to be substituted due to injury, with Sam Copeland coming on in the 24th minute.
Despite the disruption, the Royals maintained their attacking intent. Stiven Lopes made another key pass in the 40th minute, setting up a chance for Marlon Perrin, who unfortunately shot wide. However, just before half-time, Lopes found the back of the net from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute, putting the Royals ahead. Marlon Perrin then doubled the lead in the 44th minute, finishing off a long pass from Copeland with a well-placed left-footed shot inside the box.
The first half concluded with the Royals leading 2-0, and the second half began with a substitution as Jake Burton replaced Adam Arnold. Danny Grafton also came on for Mark Baroni, adding fresh legs to the midfield.
The second half saw an early offside call against Stiven Lopes in the 50th minute, but the Royals continued to press. Marlon Perrin had another attempt saved in the 51st minute, while Lopes shot wide shortly after. Ryan Thompson remained vigilant, making a save in the 53rd minute before the Royals extended their lead further. In the 58th minute, Danny Grafton scored with a left-footed shot inside the box, assisted by Marlon Perrin's cross.
However, the match took a turn in the 61st minute when Ridgewood II's player received a red card for offensive language, leaving them a man down. Despite this, Ridgewood II managed to pull one back in the 73rd minute with a stunning strike from outside the area, reducing the deficit to 3-1.
The Royals continued to create chances, with Valery Jingwa making an impactful substitution in the 66th minute. He provided a key pass in the 85th minute, which led to a shot from Perrin that hit the post. In the 89th minute, George Mathai capped off a brilliant performance by scoring a solo goal, assisted by Gillan Williams, sealing the match at 4-1.
As the match drew to a close, Sam Copeland made another key pass in added time, but Marlon Perrin's attempt went high. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for Preston Manor Royals, with George Mathai earning the Player of the Match accolade for his outstanding performance.
