Deal Town FC

Deal Town played Hassocks FC on 23rd September 2025 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town won three - one against Hassocks in front of a crowd of 166 at Hassocks. The Deal goals came from Ben Chapman, Jack Paxman and Owen Wilkinson.

A midweek trip to Brighton isn’t the most ideal, or welcomed, but earlier progression in The FA Cup meant The Hoops were to visit Hassocks on a Tuesday evening.

There were some enforced changes from Saturday’s FA Trophy defeat, at the hands of Ashford United; Alfie Foster, Alex Green, Rory Smith, Tom Chapman and Morgan Page coming in for Jack Penny, Jacob Strouts, Jack Palmby, Mefosa Esumobi and James Fielding.

It was Hassocks who, arguably, should have taken an early lead in the game and gained a foothold. A cross was met by Vale who could only see his header wide, from exceptionally close range (2’); either side of Tonkin and the hosts take a 1-0 lead. Not perturbed by the glaring miss, Hassocks continued to knock on the door; plenty of attacking wing-play, and corners won, in the first 15’ but coming to no meaningful end-product.

The visitors were then dealt two blows in quick succession as Alex Green departed early doors (15’) with Josh Vincent soon following (22’); Jack Penny and Jacob Strouts entering as their replacements.

And, in honesty, as the first half evolved it resulted in little to report on. Both teams cancelling each other out. That was until Wes Hennessey had enough and sprung into action, just prior to half-time. Having jigged past a number of Hassock’s defenders on the right, his delivery was met by our man of the moment Ben Chapman, who put the Hoops 1-up (45’); fresh from hitting his 300th appearance for the club last weekend.

HALF TIME: HFC 0-1 DTFC 

A goal on the stroke of half-time helped move us into the second on the ascendancy, but Hassocks retained their control on the fixture by equalising 12 minutes after the restart (57’). From nowhere, Troak picked up possession and decided to bend one into the far corner, well out of Tonkin’s reach.

Hassocks felt aggrieved that they should have also had a penalty (49’); with an on-rushing Tonkin from the Deal goal, he clattered into an attacker. The referee, however, awarding the game’s first yellow card to Hassock’s Jamie Wilkes.

This buoyed King’s men, galvanising the XI to kick-on. Ben Chapman soon had a goal-bound shot cleared off the line (61’); a moment of brilliance from defender Malia, which saved the hosts. It was then an opportunity for Hennessey, as he smashed the ball against the crossbar (73’), making our intentions clear that a point was not what we had come to settle for.

Whilst trying to absorb the Deal attack, Hassocks could do nothing to stop Jack Paxman scoring; a great strike from 20 yards into the bottom corner (75’) which left James Shaw picking the ball out of his net. 2-1 up now with a quarter of regulation time to play; our opportunity to secure the game was made slightly more favourable just nine minutes later. Lewis Finney was shown a straight red card (83’) as it appeared he stamped on BC; the hosts down to 10 for the final period. 

Capitalising on the numerical advantage, Hennessey again danced his way past the Hassock’s entourage to pick out Owen Wilkinson, having earlier replaced Tom Chapman (64’). The youngster thrashing the ball home (87’) from 12 yards. Deal were firmly in the driving seat, heading into the closing stages, and saw out the remainder of the game to bring home three valuable points back to CT14.

Not to detract from an overall convincing team-display in the second half, Hennessey’s performance was a standout success on the night; a high-energy and committed showing rightly earning him our away team man of the match. 

FULL TIME: HFC 1-3 DTFC

On securing the win, manager Steve King was pleased with bringing home three points:

I'm really pleased to have got the win. I thought Hassocks were a good side, and created us plenty of problems, but our overall performance was good. We created lots of chances ourselves. Having lost two defenders in the first half, it was not easy, but the boys showed great determination and we're now looking forward to a massive FA Cup game on Saturday.

Three huge points making their way back to the Charles Ground as we climb to 17th. Next up, a   small matter of FA Cup action on Saturday; a visit to the Bauvill Stadium, as we are welcomed by Isthmian Premier side Chatham Town. A place in the 4th Qualifying Round now at stake.

#COYH