Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Steyning Town Community FC on 05th April 2025 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town won five - two against Steyning in front of a crowd of 112 at Steyning. The Deal goals came from Tom Chapman, Ashley Miller, Archie Hatcher, Own Goal and Alex Smith.

The trip to West Sussex, to play Steyning Town, saw Ashley Miller and Alfie Foster replacing Jack Paxman and Jamie Kennedy in the starting eleven; Pax suspended and JK injured. Owen Wilkinson, Alex Smith and U18/U23 player Daniel Gannon finding places in the 16. 

With a strong breeze against them in the first half, DTFC had barely got into the game when an injury to Alfie Foster necessitated a change after treatment;  Alfie Hatcher joining the fray.

Without the strength of Foster at the back, DTFC seemed to struggle to get a foothold in the fixture and STCFC belied their league position by showing determination and drive to take the lead. That they didn't and DTFC gained a chance in the 14th minute to lead but a pass in from Hammond into BC saw his shot blocked. STCFC were gaining an advantage whilst getting forward but their chances found them wanting and tame shots were dealt with by Molloy in the away goal. After the three previous victories DTFC were finding it difficult to gain any similar rhythm and direction and whilst. The home goalkeeper was giving away opportunities to DTFC with some poor distribution, aided by the swirling conditions.

As the half entered the last 15 mins of the first half a speculative pass forward from Archie Hatcher found TC who robbed a defender and rounded the keeper; his resulting shot hit home for the lead for DTFC.

This seemed to give DTFC a lift and a Hammond pass to  Hatcher saw him shoot over. Shortly after a chance fell to Ash Miller after a Hammond and BC interaction and his shot nestled in the bottom left corner for a second for DTFC. The travelling support could barely believe it after a less than impressive first half.

HALF TIME: Steyning Town Community 0 – 2 Deal Town

The second half started with the increasing breeze looking to be the key to the match and DTFC were soon using it to their advantage, when a clearing header fell to Hatcher and his driven shot flashed past the hapless Cochran in the home goalkeeper for a third. Before the restart a second DTFC substitution saw Josh Vincent replaced by Alex Smith. Within three minutes STCFC were back in the game with aplomb; a free kick from No7 found the back of the net. This buoyed the home team and they showed grit and determination to try and get back into the fixture and within another three minutes the home No9 made it 2-3 and the game was truly in the melting pot. 

With the opportunity there to find the equaliser STCFC had enough possession but couldn’t cause too much trouble for Molloy and with the fixture entering the last 20 mins it was important who got the all-important sixth goal. Sadly, for young Cochran in the home goal his forgettable day became a nightmare when his touch saw the ball skip away and into his net for a fourth for DTFC in the 71st min.

This seemed to knock the stuffing out of STCFC and it was DTFC who were looking to seal the deal, no pun intended, with a fifth. Changes to personnel saw Wes replacing Ash and Owen replacing Ife to give some added impetus to the search for the knock out blow.

A marauding run into the box by Wes in the 77th min saw him lay it on a plate for Jack Penny and his shot flew over the bar instead of nestling in the net. The 85th min saw Daniel Gannon making his first team debut and his touch from the throw in the build up to the fifth goal for DTFC by Alex Smith certainly seems to indicate that he has the attributes to develop like others before him making the step up from the youth level to Step 3 football. This was the killer blow for STCFC and certainly was the knock out blow that finished their season in the Isthmian League South East Division and they will probably be consigned to the Southern Combination when the FA make their decisions regarding demotions and lateral movements.

FULL TIME: Steyning Town Community 2-5 Deal Town

 MAPS MOTM: Morgan Page

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Zak Hammond, Jack Penny, Alfie Foster, Morgan Page, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman, Ife Oni, Ashley Miller, Josh Vincent.

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

Deal Goals: Tom Chapman ('33) Ashley Miller ('41) Archie Hatcher ('49) Own Goal ('71) Alex Smith ('86)

Referee: Cross

Attendance: 112