Preston Manor Royals Dominate Welcroft Park Rangers At Berwick Playing Field

On 1 November 2025, Preston Manor Royals travelled to Berwick Playing Field to face Welcroft Park Rangers in a crucial cup away tie, kicking off at 2:00pm. The Royals emerged emphatically victorious with a 4-1 scoreline after 91 minutes of competitive football under the watchful eye of referee John Bartley.

Preston Manor Royals lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying Ryan Thompson in goal. The defensive line consisted of Sam Copeland at right back, Dominic Hewitt and Adam Arnold as central defenders, and Gillan Williams on the left. Jake Atherton operated as the lone holding midfielder, tasked with shielding the back four and distributing the ball forward. Ahead of him, Mark Baroni took up the right attacking midfield role, while Valery Jingwa occupied the left attacking midfield position, both expected to support the front three. The attacking trio featured Marlon Perrin on the right wing, Carlton Najomo as the central striker, and Daniel Clark on the left wing. On the bench, Joel Hallstan, Mike Serrão, and Harvey Cagney were named as substitutes.

The match began with Preston Manor Royals showing intent, as Gillan Williams fired an early attempt high over the bar in the opening minute. Seconds later, Carlton Najomo’s effort went wide, signalling the Royals’ attacking threat from the outset. Daniel Clark tested the Welcroft Park Rangers’ goalkeeper with a shot saved in the seventh minute, maintaining pressure on the hosts.

However, it was Welcroft Park Rangers who struck first, breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute with a composed finish inside the box using their left foot. This early setback did little to deter the Royals, who gradually grew into the game.

Jake Atherton tried his luck twice from distance, both attempts sailing high over the crossbar in the 25th and 29th minutes, demonstrating his willingness to shoot from range. Daniel Clark then had another chance in the 36th minute but dragged his shot wide, as Preston Manor Royals searched for an equaliser.

Their persistence paid off just before half-time when Valery Jingwa converted a penalty in the 38th minute, expertly slotting the ball home with his left foot after an assist from left back Gillan Williams. Jingwa nearly doubled the lead moments later, but his shot was saved in the 41st minute. The first half concluded with the scores level at 1-1.

The second half saw Preston Manor Royals take control. In the 54th minute, Marlon Perrin unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box, assisted by a long pass from Adam Arnold, putting the Royals ahead. The momentum continued as Sam Copeland’s attempt was saved in the 55th minute, followed by a saved effort from Carlton Najomo a minute later.

At the 58-minute mark, Preston Manor Royals made a double substitution, bringing on Joel Hallstan for Daniel Clark and Mike Serrão for Valery Jingwa, injecting fresh energy into the side. The changes paid dividends as Marlon Perrin scored again in the 64th minute, this time with a left-footed finish inside the box, set up by a short pass from Mark Baroni.

Carlton Najomo had a chance to extend the lead in the 67th minute but shot wide. He was replaced by Harvey Cagney in the 71st minute, who immediately tested the goalkeeper with a high effort in the 72nd minute.

Marlon Perrin completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute with a sublime left-footed long-range strike, sealing the emphatic victory for Preston Manor Royals. The final whistle confirmed a 4-1 triumph, with Perrin’s clinical finishing earning him the player of the match accolade.

Preston Manor Royals’ tactical discipline and attacking prowess proved decisive at Berwick Playing Field, as they overcame an early deficit to secure a commanding cup win against Welcroft Park Rangers.