Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Burgess Hill Town FC on 12th April 2025 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town lost four - nil against Burgess Hill at Burgess Hill.

Just a week after a trip to West Sussex, the Hoops were againin the road. With Adam Molloy absent for personal reasons, Chris Waymark stepped into the void. With Alfie Foster injured the returning Jack Paxman took his place and Kane Smith took Daniel Gannon’s place in the squad.

Burgess Hill started the day firmly in third place in the play off places; a tough fixture was expected after the previous meeting at the Charles Groundwhich ended in a 5-3 defeat.

On a hot, dry afternoon, it was DTFC who showed immediate forward intention with Ash Miller looking to trouble the away keeper. To be honest this was probably the only time in the half that an attack would materialise; our hosts boasting strong threats. As Burgess Hill showed their attacking intention they took the lead; the ball found its way to H10 O’Neill in acres of space and he finished emphatically.

BHFC were on the front foot with regularity and their intricate play was finding no response form DTFC. Quick, precise passing was finding H15 who was dancing down the left wing. His attempts led to corner from which H10’s direct effort was scrambled away. DTFC were looking to develop from the back but their efforts were being thwarted continually and whenever possession was conceded BH looked to counter attack.

With the half hour approaching and BHFC looking to extend their dominance it was no surprise that H15 found H2 and his pass into O'Neill H10 was net bound for the second goal. 

With the kick off the ball was picked up by TC and driving forward his pass into Ash saw a shot flashed across the goal on the right side past the post. With BHFC looking to develop their play form the back through midfield to their quick wingers and their incessant forward play it came as no surprise that a wayward clearance found itself at the feet on H2 and he despatched it past Waymark in the away goal for the third.

BHFC were showing why they are play-off candidates and with half time approaching and capping off a fabulous first half, the home Capt got his hat-trick and the home teams fourth.

HT – Burgess Hill 4-0 Deal Town

A change at HT saw Ife Oni replaced by Kane Smith and BHFC carrying on where they left off. Their intent to add to their score looked likely with every forward movement on either wing. Try as they might DTFC were mostly on the back foot and their first real play of the second half involving Zak’s pass forward to Ash came in the 58th minute and shortly after a TC cross from the right had no takers in the middle.

With Wes replacing Ash his stature had an immediate effect with his pass to TC ended in a tackle and a free kick which the keeper easily took. With BHFC looking to extend their lead, they refreshed their resources in the 64th minute and continued to develop their attacks primarily on the left.

DTFC refreshed their personnel with Alex Smith, Hatcher and Wikinsonreplacing Josh, Macca and TC in an effort to gain some traction in the fixture. The continuing developing of play by BHFC led to H19 looking to take a chance in the box after a forward pass to no avail. With the ball in the depth of the away defence the referee blew the final whistle. BHFC being comprehensive winners, which looks to cement their position in 3rd and a home tie in the play offs.

Burgess Hill 4 – 0 Deal Town

Deal Town Starting XI: Chris Waymark, Zak Hammond, Jack Penny, Morgan Page, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman, Jack Paxman, Ife Oni, Ashley Miller, Josh Vincent.

Subs: Kane Smith, Wes Hennessey, Alex Smith, Archie Hatcher, Owen Wilkinson.

Referee: Wright

Attendance: 457