Preston Manor Royals And Brighton & Sussex Medical School Share Spoils In Thrilling Encounter

The clash between Preston Manor Royals and Brighton & Sussex Medical School at the University of Brighton (Falmer Campus) on 15 March 2025 ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw. The match, which kicked off at 2:00pm, showcased a fierce battle as both teams fought for crucial league points.

Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Adrian Bajka took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Kevin Wokabi on the right, Adam Arnold and Dominic Hewitt in central defence, and Sam Copeland on the left. Matt Howard operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. Ahead of him, Daniel Clark and Valery Jingwa occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles respectively, while Reece Coughlan, Marlon Perrin, and Stiven Lopes formed a dynamic front three.

The substitutes for Preston Manor Royals included Jaegan Roberts, Jake Nurse, and Mark Baroni, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.

The opening goal came in the 15th minute when Reece Coughlan, displaying remarkable skill, lobbed the ball over the Brighton goalkeeper after receiving a long pass from Stiven Lopes. This early strike set the tone for an exciting encounter, with the Royals taking a 1-0 lead.

However, the advantage was short-lived as Brighton & Sussex Medical School capitalised on a defensive mistake in the 35th minute, equalising with a right-footed shot from inside the box. The match was finely poised at 1-1 as the teams headed into the half-time break.

After the interval, Preston Manor Royals made their first substitution in the 63rd minute, bringing on Jaegan Roberts for Stiven Lopes. The change aimed to inject fresh energy into the attack, but it was Brighton who struck next. In the 66th minute, the opponents took the lead with another goal, this time from inside the box, leaving the Royals trailing 2-1.

In response, Preston Manor Royals made another substitution shortly after, with Jake Nurse replacing Valery Jingwa in the 68th minute. The Royals pressed for an equaliser, and their persistence paid off in the 80th minute when Dominic Hewitt scored a powerful header from a corner delivered by Matt Howard, bringing the score to 2-2.

As the match entered its final stages, tensions rose. Reece Coughlan received a yellow card in the 71st minute, followed by Mark Baroni in the 82nd minute, and Jake Nurse in the 87th minute, as both teams battled fiercely for control.

Despite the late drama, neither side could find a winner, and the match concluded with a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Matt Howard's performance stood out, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match for his influential role in midfield and his crucial assist for the equalising goal. The Royals will take heart from their resilience, while Brighton will reflect on missed opportunities as they both look to build on this result in their upcoming fixtures.