Deal Town FC

Blistering wind flew around The Charles Ground as Deal Town faced Faversham under the lights. Deal had made several changes from their previous fixture, notably with Captain Macca Murray being benched; taking his place would be Max Nibblet.

The game kicked off and Deal quickly began to make a statement. As in the 2nd minute a long ball from Deal found the feet of Hennessy, playing the ball to Paxman however the following shot would be dragged wide.

Faversham would attack in the 11th minute from a set piece as a corner would force Deal into a hasty clearance and then only two minutes later Faversham would do the same in their own box denying the home side and early lead.

However then a free kick from 25 yards fired in by  Miller would force Faversham into narrowly avoiding conceding through a good block.

Throughout the first half there were a number of physical challenges. The referee was kept busy as in the 36th minute the first yellow card of the game would be shown to Pont for a foul on Chapman. Then in the 43rd minute Max Nibblet would be booked following a bad tackle. The two sides would remain locked together at half time despite Deal being the better of the two sides.

Then heading into the second half the score line remained 0-0 until a Faversham corner in the 46th minute would find the feet of Dyer as he would bury it into the bottom left taking the lead.

However Deal didn’t take long to find a response, in the 49th minute a corner would be flicked onto Strouts who brought the game level. Then a good through ball from Oni in the 54th minute allowed Hennessy to cross the ball. Fortunately it found the feet of Miller and in a matter of minutes Faversham’s lead had disappeared.

Faversham continued to struggle with the harsh wind playing its part as free kicks and set pieces often flew over the crossbar due to the intense conditions.

However in the 86th minute Faversham’s woes would only worsen as Faversham’s Wood would be sent off following a second yellow for dissent. 

Deal would quickly seize their opportunity to finish the game off as in the 90th minute a header from Rory  Smith would find the feet of substitute Wilkinson who had come on for Ash Miller in the 84th minute who finished the chance to destroy any hopes of a Faversham equaliser.

Finally to make matters worse for the away side a Deal cross would find the feet of Wilkinson who would double his goal tally for the day in a matter of minutes bringing the score to 4-1.

The game would end 4-1 with Strouts being named man of the match following an impressive performance. 

REPORT COURTESY OF FINLEY MOORE.