In a commanding display at Huggetts Lane Recreation Ground on 9 November 2024, Preston Manor Royals secured a decisive 4-1 victory against Willingdon Athletic in their cup away match. The Royals showcased their attacking prowess and defensive resilience, effectively controlling the game from start to finish.
Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-3-2-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for quick transitions into attack. Jack Bould occupied the goalkeeping position, shielded by a back four consisting of Sam Copeland on the right, Adam Arnold and Jake Burton as central defenders, and Gillan Williams on the left. The midfield trio featured Daniel Clarke on the right, Dominic Hewitt in the centre, and Jake Nurse on the left, while Danny Grafton and Stiven Lopes operated as right and left attacking midfielders respectively, supporting lone striker Reece Coughlan.
The substitutes for the match included Jaegan Roberts, Daren Calver, and Mark Baroni, who would later play pivotal roles as the match progressed.
The match began with a flurry of activity, as early as the second minute when Dominic Hewitt committed a trip, earning a free-kick for Willingdon Athletic but no penalty was conceded. Stiven Lopes followed suit with a holding foul in the fifth minute, demonstrating the competitive nature of the encounter. Jake Nurse's late tackle in the thirteenth minute further highlighted the intensity on the pitch.
As the game settled, Daniel Clarke made a crucial long pass in the fourteenth minute, creating a chance for Reece Coughlan, whose attempt was saved. Gillan Williams showcased his defensive skills with a tackle shortly after, ensuring the Royals maintained their composure. However, Lopes was penalised again for holding in the nineteenth minute, as the match continued to be tightly contested.
The first significant turning point came in the twenty-ninth minute when Adam Arnold was penalised for a late tackle, resulting in a free-kick for Willingdon Athletic. The Royals responded emphatically in the thirty-fourth minute when Stiven Lopes, assisted by Daniel Clarke, scored a stunning lob from outside the box, putting the Royals ahead.
Despite their lead, Preston Manor Royals faced a setback just before half-time when Willingdon Athletic equalised with a close-range header in the forty-fourth minute, leaving the score at 1-1 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half commenced with renewed energy, and just two minutes in, Danny Grafton restored the Royals' lead with a well-placed right-footed shot inside the box, following a cross from Lopes. The Royals continued to press, with Coughlan missing another opportunity wide in the fifty-sixth minute.
Dominic Hewitt made a crucial block in the fifty-eighth minute, preventing a potential equaliser, while Gillan Williams intercepted a dangerous pass in the sixty-first minute, showcasing the Royals' defensive discipline. The first substitution came in the sixty-seventh minute when Jaegan Roberts replaced the injured Danny Grafton.
Roberts made an immediate impact, scoring in the seventy-first minute with a close-range effort, assisted by a header from Adam Arnold, extending the Royals' lead to 3-1. As the match wore on, Jake Nurse had a shot saved in the eighty-fifth minute, while Reece Coughlan's attempt in the eighty-ninth minute went wide, as the Royals sought to further their advantage.
In the dying moments of the match, Coughlan finally found the net in the ninety-second minute, scoring from close range with a right-footed shot after a header assist from Dominic Hewitt. This goal sealed the Royals' emphatic 4-1 victory.
The final substitution saw Mark Baroni replace Coughlan as the referee, John Bartley, brought the match to a close after a spirited performance from both teams. Stiven Lopes was undoubtedly the standout player, earning the Player of the Match accolade for his influential display.
