Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Folkestone Invicta FC on 23rd July 2024 in the Friendly. Deal Town won two - one against Folkestone in front of a crowd of 402 at Folkestone. The Deal goals came from Macaulay Murray and Jamie Kennedy.

Donning the new blue strip, it was a confident first half showing from the Hoops in what was a competitive and keenly contested first half at Folkestone Invicta. Largely un-troubled by the Invicta side, who posed some attacking threat at times, it was Deal who posed several challenges to the Folkestone back-line.

As early as the 3rd minute our intentions were clear, with Paxman and Munday interlinking well, resulting in the game’s first shot. Minutes later, Kennedy won a throw-in on the right; launched into the penalty area, Ben Chapman then shot over too. A third attempt by brother Tom then followed on nine minutes and this set the tone for the half.

It was, however, Folkestone who then created the next stand-out chance in the 16th minute. Frankie Morgan delivering an inviting ball across the face of goal which the stretching Dan Smith failed to convert. Not to be outdone, Deal went straight down the other end with TC driving along the flank, feeding Rory Smith who delivered into the penalty area; who else, but Billy Munday leaping, but this time failing to head home.

Rory Smith was next to try his luck; seeing the Folkestone goalkeeper off his line, an adventurous chip from distance sailed the wrong side of the crossbar. At this point, the game increased in tempo with referee Goldup giving out the first stern telling-off to Folkestone’s Joel Odeniran having cynically bringing down BC in the middle of the park.

Deal capitalised then on their numerous attacking phases. Positive inter-play between Jamie Kennedy and Jack Paxman on the right, ended up with the ball into the penalty area. This then allowed Macca Murray to collect possession, dropping a shoulder and sending an opponent one way before bending the ball around the goalkeeper and into the far-side of the net. 1-0 Deal (28’).

Relentless in approach, TC continued darting forward powering passed his marker in the Folkestone half, before being brought to ground. Another rebuke from Goldup. Cries for a penalty for Deal fell on deaf ears moments later; Munday chipping a ball in behind the Folkestone defensive, with BC collecting going down under pressure.

The second goal for Deal then came as Alfie Foster battled to win clean possession of the ball in front of our management. Sending Rory off down the left, Smith then delivered a deep cross with TC collecting possession and drilling it back across the goal mouth. Jamie Kennedy then on hand to tap in from very close range (38’).

Action was not done yet. More positive movement from TC down the right as he burst past Odeniran, who again cynically brought him to ground, this time earning himself a first yellow card. The resulting free kick delivered into the area before falling to Paxman 25 yards out; seeing his name in lights, deciding to shoot. Best he hadn’t really! End of the first half and Deal two-up.

The break worked in Folkestone’s favour. Coming out rejuvenated, no doubt following some heavy encouragement from Andy Drury, Adam Molloy was called into immediate action. A good cross from Frankie Morgan and a powerful header from the Folkestone forward ended in Molloy palming onto the post, eventually cleared to safety from Foster. Seconds later, and almost a copy of the first move, Morgan delivered to find Ian Gayle who headed home to half the deficit (50’).

Molloy was called into further service as Folkestone created another chance on 61 minutes. Applying pressure and penning Deal into the penalty area, one of Folkestone’s trialists took his chance from distance and forcing Molloy to parry for a corner. The result, an injury to Molloy’s hand which forced Deal into making their first change; Kye Davidson coming onto the field.

A quiet first twenty for King’s men with Folkestone dominant in possession, Munday broke up a spell for Folkestone by winning a header in the middle of the park resulting in Kennedy collecting possession and being fouled. The break allowed for the introduction of Aaron Millbank and Max Niblett, replacing Josh Vincent and TC (68’). Deal had their first real chance of the second half, with Millbank picking up the ball, cutting in and crossing to the opposite flank with Paxman winning a corner. A minute later, Alex Smith replacing Murray. Millbank then, soon after, collecting a yellow card for a robust challenge (73’).

Into the final fifteen minutes and Kaeden Jefferys came on (77’) replacing Kennedy. Folkestone continued to press, with Gavin Hoyte working well with Dan Smith on the right, ending in Hoyte firing across Davidson in the Deal goal, not too far wide. Another chance was created minutes later, with Folkestone firing over from within the area. A welcomed break in the pressure came when Rory Smith leaped onto a loose ball and was on the receiving end of Folkestone substitute Cameron Brodie’s sliding challenge; a third yellow card as a result (84’). Morgan Page replaced BC (86’) as Folkestone mounted another attack; a flick on from Dan Smith ending with an excellent last ditch challenge from Paxman, sending the ball for a corner.

Deal did press into the latter stages, with a 3v3 break coming to nothing. Seconds later and Goldup brought proceedings to a close, with Deal defending their unbeaten pre-season campaign and coming away from the Alcaline Stadium with a 2-1 victory. A very entertaining game in which Kingy will no-doubt be pleased with the overall performance against higher level opposition.

Attention now focuses onto the final fixture in pre-season, as the Hoops welcome Faversham Strike Force to the Charles Ground on Saturday afternoon. 

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Alex Green, Alfie Foster, Josh Vincent, Billy Munday, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman, Rory Smith, Jamie Kennedy.

Subs: Kye Davidson, Aaron Millbank, Elliott Moore, Kayden Jefferys, Max Niblett, Alex Smith, Morgan Page.

Deal Goals: Macaulay Murray ('28) Jamie Kennedy ('38)

Referee: Goldup

Attendance: 402