Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal kicked off a cold Charles Ground on Saturday hoping to pick up the form shown in their last home game against Sittingbourne. In that respect it was a relief that the boys were coming home now after a couple of away defeats on the bounce. Deal’s recent mini injury crisis had worsened since their last game at Ashford so Morgan Page and Ife Oni were drafted into the starting lineup with Macca and Rory Smith being added to a growing injury list.

The game started a little sluggish with a lot of loose passes from either team and a couple of half chances falling the way of Deal; A slide rule pass from Jack Penny almost finding its way to an unmarked Tom Chapman who would have been in on the goalkeeper and; a Penny cross being fumbled by the Erith number one only for him to redeem himself on the resulting corner.

Erith responded in kind with some nice interchange between Ryan and Taylor, which led to a snap shot which didn’t worry Molloy and then a 30 yard strike from Thomas Ash which was adjudged to have been tipped over by the Deal number 1.

The first quarter of the game was a battle for Deal with Erith continuing to probe Deal’s right and JV picked up a yellow for his efforts to clean up a probing run down that flank. The resulting free kick led to a free header from Erith’s number 6, Thomas Ash, which was easily claimed.

The warning signs were beginning to grow for Deal, but it was then a lesson of how to take and defend a one on one with the keeper. Twenty minutes in, a hopeful long ball over the top put Erith’s number 18 one on one with Molloy. Molloy stayed strong and diverted the ball away, the striker stumbled and couldn’t follow up the chance. Six minutes later, same scenario, opposite end. This time was Ash Miller on his own, bearing down on Connor Clark in the Erith goal and he made no mistake rounding the keeper and he had all the time in the world to put the ball into an empty net. A better outcome for Deal, and it was one nil after 25 minutes. So far, so good for Deal. Ash Miller showed class in his finish and showed the Deal faithful why they love him for a reason.

Erith responded, upped the ante, and began piling pressure on the Deal goal. Kingy had words with his midfield to try to exercise game management and retain possession. But Erith gained a couple of freekicks in promising areas and from one such chance, a cross from Erith’s left fell this time to Bradley Ryan who left Molloy with no chance, headed into the net and the game was back on level terms.

With the half looking to end level, Tom Chapman was bundled over right on the edge of the Erith box. Penny and Hatcher stood over the resulting freekick, Hatcher stepped up, beat the keeper but the ball smashed against the base of the post and sailed harmlessly away from danger.

Second half and it was time to light up the night at CG with the soon to be refurbished flood lights put into action. Hoping the game would start to a different beat to the beginning of the first, which had started bitty. This wasn’t the case, and it was again littered with silly freekicks and loose passes from both sides.

Erith began to build periods of sustained pressure. Deal opted for a quicker and more direct style and their main threat was now on the counter attack. It wasn’t till 60 minutes that Deal began to build into the game and were pressing Erith higher up the park. For the most part, Erith coped with the press aside from some nervy moments for them.

Seventy minutes in and the focal point of Deal’s attack changed when Jamie Kennedy entered the field. Jamie made an instant impact, providing a new outlet, holding up the ball and feeding the runs of Ash and TC.

But the game then pivoted on a bit of magic from Erith’s Number 9, Bradley Ryan. Ryan produced a slalom run driving into the right corner of the Deal box, before bending the ball top bins of Deal’s net, Molloy got a hand to it but no matter what he did, he couldn’t keep the ball out, 1-2. Then the going got tough for Deal and a third soon followed. Deal who had been in the ascendancy 10 minutes prior and pushing for a winner were now 3-1 down at 78 minutes.

Deal, as we have come to know them all season, will always battle to the end it has become their identify and is who we are. They had not given up the fight. Indeed, there looked to be a route back into the game and Jamie looked to be one to provide it, fabulous interplay between Kennedy and TC nearly led to Hennesey seemingly unable to miss but a last minute challenge kept the two goal margin. Then later Jamie, driving down the wing, worked his way back to Wes who hit the base of the post.

There were certainly some positives to take from the game, despite the result and the chances were there for it to be a very different outcome. On to Kennington on Tuesday.

SOURCE: Nick Irvine

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Jack Penny, Alfie Foster, Tom Chapman, Morgan Page, Ben Chapman, Ife Oni, Ashley Miller, Archie Hatcher, Josh Vincent.

Subs: Wes Hennessey, Joe Reeves, Alex Smith, Ben Clark, Jamie Kennedy.

Deal Goals: Ashley Miller ('25)

Referee: Joss

Attendance: 517