Royals And Newhaven II Battle To Thrilling 5-5 Draw At Fort Road Recreation Ground

Preston Manor Royals faced Newhaven II in a pulsating cup tie at Fort Road Recreation Ground on 8 November 2025, kicking off at 2:00pm. The match ended in a remarkable 5-5 draw after 93 minutes of intense football, witnessed by a modest crowd of ten and officiated impeccably by referee Mark Parsons.

Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying Ryan Thompson in goal to marshal the defence. The back four consisted of Daren Calver at right back, Adam Arnold and Dominic Hewitt as central defenders, and Gillan Williams on the left. Matt Howard operated as the solitary holding midfielder, tasked with shielding the defence and dictating play from deep. Ahead of him, Mark Baroni occupied the right attacking midfield role, while Musa Omar took up the left attacking midfield position, both expected to supply the front three. The forward line featured Harvey Cagney on the right wing, Ibrahim Jallow leading as the central striker, and Joel Hallstan on the left flank. The substitutes named were Daniel Clark, João Pedro Miranda, Sam Copeland, Valery Jingwa, and Keir Standing.

The match burst into life early on as Newhaven II took the lead in the 10th minute, capitalising on a close-range finish inside the box with a left-footed strike. However, Preston Manor Royals responded swiftly. Just three minutes later, Adam Arnold rose highest to head home a corner expertly delivered by Matt Howard, levelling the scores and signalling the Royals’ intent.

The game remained open and end-to-end, but Newhaven II regained the advantage in the 34th minute, exploiting a defensive mistake to slot home from close range with their right foot. Preston Manor Royals were not to be outdone, with Adam Arnold again proving pivotal. At the 39th minute mark, he doubled his tally by converting a cross from Matt Howard with a precise right-footed finish inside the box.

The Royals pressed on and were rewarded further before half-time. Harvey Cagney added a third goal for Preston Manor Royals in the 42nd minute, firing home from close range with his right foot, putting the visitors ahead. Yet Newhaven II struck back immediately before the break, equalising in the 45th minute with another close-range finish inside the box.

At the interval, the scoreline stood at 4-4, reflecting the frenetic nature of the contest. Preston Manor Royals made two substitutions at half-time, with Daniel Clark replacing Mark Baroni and João Pedro Miranda coming on for Joel Hallstan, signalling a tactical shift to maintain their attacking impetus.

The second half saw further changes as Valery Jingwa and Sam Copeland entered the fray in the 58th minute, replacing Musa Omar and Daren Calver respectively. These adjustments aimed to bolster both midfield creativity and defensive solidity. Shortly after, Matt Howard received a yellow card in the 60th minute, a testament to his combative midfield presence.

Joel Hallstan was reintroduced in place of Ibrahim Jallow in the 61st minute, refreshing the attacking options. However, Newhaven II struck again in the 62nd minute, restoring parity with a right-footed finish inside the box.

The Royals responded with determination. Daniel Clark found the net in the 73rd minute, giving Preston Manor Royals a crucial lead. Just three minutes later, Valery Jingwa extended the advantage, adding a fifth goal to the visitors’ tally.

As the match entered its final stages, Keir Standing replaced Harvey Cagney in the 83rd minute, providing fresh legs on the right wing. Yet Newhaven II were not finished. In the 87th minute, they capitalised on another defensive error, scoring from long range with a right-footed strike to level the match once more at 5-5.

The game concluded with the sides locked in a thrilling stalemate, a testament to the attacking prowess and resilience displayed by both teams. Matt Howard’s influential performance in midfield earned him the player of the match accolade, underscoring his vital role in both defence and attack throughout the contest.

This extraordinary cup tie at Fort Road Recreation Ground will be remembered for its relentless pace, dramatic swings in momentum, and an astonishing ten-goal spectacle that left fans on the edge of their seats.