Royals Run Riot In 6-2 Cup Rout At Falmer Sports Complex

Preston Manor Royals welcomed Ringmer AFC II to Falmer Sports Complex on 25 October 2025 for a cup tie kick-off at 3:00pm. The Royals produced a commanding display to secure a 6-2 victory in front of 24 spectators, with referee Sean Gibney overseeing the 95-minute contest with notable authority.

Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying Ryan Thompson in goal behind a back four of Daren Calver at right back, Dominic Hewitt and Yassir Lekbir as central defenders, and Gillan Williams at left back. Matt Howard operated as the holding central midfielder, shielding the defence and linking play. Ahead of him, Mark Baroni took up the right attacking midfield role, with Valery Jingwa on the left attacking midfield flank. The front three consisted of Jake Atherton on the right wing, Marlon Perrin leading the line as striker, and Joel Mbimbo Miguel on the left forward position. The substitutes named were Carlton Najomo, Mike Serrão, Joel Hallstan, Ibrahim Jallow, and Keir Standing.

From the outset, Daren Calver was instrumental in the Royals’ attacking intent, delivering a key pass within the first minute and following it up with a slide rule pass at two minutes that created a clear chance. Marlon Perrin was quick to test the opposition keeper with an early effort that sailed high over the bar. Joel Mbimbo Miguel and Valery Jingwa both had attempts in the opening quarter, though wide or saved, signalling the Royals’ persistent pressure.

At 17 minutes, both Jake Atherton and Joel Mbimbo Miguel saw their shots saved, maintaining the goalless tension. Calver continued to impress with a long pass at 24 minutes that set up another opportunity, which Perrin again failed to convert, his shot saved by the Ringmer keeper. However, two minutes later, Perrin broke the deadlock with a stunning long-range strike from outside the box, expertly curled with his left foot following a short pass from Jingwa.

The Royals kept up the pressure with Jingwa firing a shot saved at 30 minutes and then sending another effort high a minute later. Ringmer AFC II responded with a goal of their own at 34 minutes, finishing inside the box with a left-footed strike to level the scores. Ryan Thompson was alert moments later to catch a dangerous cross, preventing further damage. Ringmer then capitalised on a defensive error to score again at 41 minutes, this time with a right-footed finish, putting the visitors ahead before half-time.

The first half concluded at 47.5 minutes with the Royals trailing 2-1, but the second half saw a remarkable turnaround. Just seven minutes after the restart, Valery Jingwa equalised with a spectacular scissors kick from close range, assisted by Perrin’s precise cross. Mark Baroni tested the keeper with a saved effort at 56 minutes, continuing to influence the game from his right attacking midfield position.

Marlon Perrin received a yellow card at 61 minutes for a bad tackle, but moments later, the Royals made a tactical substitution, bringing on Carlton Najomo for Joel Mbimbo Miguel at 65 minutes. The substitution paid dividends as Jingwa scored twice in quick succession at 66 and 68 minutes, both goals assisted by Perrin, showcasing his creative link-up play. The first was a close-range finish with his right foot, the second a left-footed strike from a cross.

Carlton Najomo then made his mark with a solo goal at 72 minutes, expertly finishing with his right foot after a short pass from Baroni. The Royals continued to rotate their squad with Mike Serrão replacing Jingwa at 76 minutes, Joel Hallstan coming on for Jake Atherton at 79 minutes, and Ibrahim Jallow entering for Mark Baroni at 81 minutes, maintaining their attacking impetus.

Najomo struck again at 84 minutes, scoring from close range with a right-footed finish following a short pass from Perrin, further extending the Royals’ lead. Attempts from Calver and Najomo in the final stages went high over the bar, but the damage was done. Najomo was substituted off for Keir Standing at 89 minutes as the Royals comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.

Mark Baroni’s influence throughout the game earned him the player of the match accolade, his creativity and work rate pivotal in the Royals’ dominant performance. Preston Manor Royals’ 6-2 triumph at Falmer Sports Complex was a comprehensive display of attacking football and resilience, overturning a half-time deficit to progress emphatically in the cup.