Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Ashford United on 08th February 2025 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town lost three - nil against Ashford in front of a crowd of 426 at Ashford.

The short trip to one of our near football neighbours took place on a cold, damp afternoon after last week's defeat at Phoenix Sports. Josh Vincent retuned from injury for Kane Smith and Archie Hatcher replaced Ben Chapman in the midfield.

From the outset Ashford United looked to dominant possession and generate a tempo in their passing which DTFC found very difficult to contend with. Within four minutes, a fierce drive from the edge of the away penalty area had Molloy stretching fully to get a touch on a long range effort. Shortly after, Ashford's Lockyer guided a header past the post.

Deal were finding nothing but AUFC defenders in any attempt to get forward, though a forward ball by Ashley Miller found Rory Smith who lobbed the home keeper only to be denied by the Assistant Referee's flag, penalising him for being in an offside position. This was his only significant impact as he went off injured, replaced by Wes Hennessey within the first quarter (16').

The home team were playing some good passing football with their No 6 [Waldock] and No 7 [Smit]h enjoying plenty of possession and opportunity to develop play. Again, Molloy was called into the action when Smith's shot from the left-hand side was palmed away for a corner. This indirectly led to the opening goal, scored by home Captain Stone (25').

Continued possession with very few opportunities for DTFC were the order of the remaining minutes of the first half and anything which was getting into the home defensive area was being easily mopped up by the towering No 17 [Jonah] who hardly missed a header or challenge. DTFC were stymied at an effort to create any type of passing game, with the pacey midfield of AUFC and the first petered out.

Half Time: AUFC 1 – 0 DTFC

DTFC were out of the traps for the second half with more urgency and looked to put the first behind them. Miller's snapshot was saved by the home keeper and a shot by Hatcher went over the top in quick succession.

This bright start was all that the away support needed to rouse them up and sadly their hopes were dealt a double blow within the space of 2 mins when a ricochet in the box fell to No 6 [Waldock] who finished easily. Barely after the kick-off and a free kick from the right was headed home again by Stone for his second and AUFC’s third.

The third seemed to knock the stuffing out of our efforts to seek a way back and AUFC continued to pass and move with intent. BC came on for the other BC, Ben Clark. Possession became the name of the game for AUFC and they looked to stifle any forward movement by DTFC, who tried vainly to create any tangible openings, until Ash Miller broke through but shot tamely at the home No1.

A final throw of the dice saw Alfie, Archie and Ash replaced by Page, Oni and Kennedy in the 73rd minute. Being in control of the fixture AUFC were happy to keep possession and try to take advantage of any openings which led to a game which lost its impetus and directness. With 5 mins added time shown a brief foray into the home box saw DTFC getting the ball into the box on a couple of occasions and a great header by TC saw a tidy save by the home keeper. With the last foray forward ending in an offside the referee brought the game to an end.

FULL TIME: AUFC 3 - 0 DTFC

Source: Don Macleod

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Jack Penny, Alfie Foster, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Rory Smith, Ben Clark, Ashley Miller, Archie Hatcher, Josh Vincent.

Subs: Morgan Page, Ben Chapman, Wes Hennessey, Ife Oni, Jamie Kennedy.

Referee: D’Urso

Attendance: 426