Preston Manor Royals Edge Thriller But Fall 6-5 At Ashurst Wood Recreation Ground

Preston Manor Royals travelled to Ashurst Wood Recreation Ground on 22 November 2025 for a 2:00pm kick-off in a pulsating league away fixture against Ashurst Wood. The Royals fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to a 6-5 defeat in a match brimming with goals and drama under the watchful eye of referee James Jenkins.

Deploying a 3-5-2 formation, Preston Manor Royals set up with Adrian Bajka guarding the goal. The defensive trio consisted of Sam Copeland at right defender, Dominic Hewitt centrally, and Gillan Williams on the left. The midfield five featured João Pedro Miranda on the right flank, Daniel Clark, Mark Baroni, and Jake Atherton occupying central midfield roles, with Joel Mbimbo Miguel operating on the left wing. Up front, Marlon Perrin and Carlton Najomo led the attack as right and left forwards respectively. This formation was designed to provide width and midfield dominance, with wing-backs expected to support both defence and attack, while the two forwards aimed to stretch the opposition’s backline. Joel Hallstan was named among the substitutes.

The match burst into life early on with Preston Manor Royals taking the lead in the 5th minute. Marlon Perrin delivered a precise short pass inside the box to Carlton Najomo, who expertly finished with his right foot to open the scoring. Just six minutes later, Perrin was again the provider, this time swinging in a corner that resulted in a goalmouth scramble finished off by Joel Mbimbo Miguel from close range with his right foot, doubling the Royals’ advantage.

However, Ashurst Wood responded swiftly. At the 15th minute mark, a defensive error allowed the home side to pull one back with a left-footed strike from outside the box. The visitors’ lead was short-lived as Ashurst Wood struck again three minutes later, this time from close range inside the box, again with the left foot, levelling the score at 2-2.

The momentum shifted further in Ashurst Wood’s favour when they converted a direct free-kick from outside the box in the 27th minute, a well-placed right-footed effort that left Bajka with no chance. Preston Manor Royals were then forced into an early substitution just two minutes later due to injury, with Joel Hallstan replacing the influential Marlon Perrin.

Ashurst Wood capitalised on the disruption, scoring a penalty in the 31st minute with a right-footed finish to extend their lead. They continued their dominance with another close-range goal inside the box five minutes later, this time with a right-footed strike, pushing the score to 5-2.

Preston Manor Royals showed resilience before the break, with Joel Mbimbo Miguel converting a penalty in the 40th minute to reduce the deficit to 5-3. The half concluded with Ashurst Wood holding a two-goal advantage.

The second half saw Preston Manor Royals come out with renewed vigour. Sam Copeland narrowed the gap in the 74th minute with a stunning direct free-kick from outside the box, expertly struck with his right foot. Yet Ashurst Wood responded immediately, heading home a close-range effort inside the box two minutes later to restore their two-goal cushion.

Not to be outdone, Mark Baroni, with an assist from João Pedro Miranda, fired in a close-range right-footed finish in the 78th minute, bringing the score to a nail-biting 6-5. Despite their efforts to find an equaliser in the closing stages, Preston Manor Royals were unable to breach Ashurst Wood’s defence again.

The match was a thrilling encounter showcasing attacking football from both sides, with Preston Manor Royals demonstrating great spirit and attacking intent despite the eventual defeat. The 3-5-2 formation allowed for fluid midfield play and multiple goal-scoring opportunities, but defensive lapses and Ashurst Wood’s clinical finishing proved decisive in this high-scoring contest.