Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Hilltop on 03rd August 2025 in the FA Cup. Deal Town drew two - two against Hilltop at Hilltop. The Deal goals came from Macaulay Murray and Owen Wilkinson.

Well, where do we start with this?

First competitive game of the season for Steve King’s Deal side, who came into the fixture with a somewhat disrupted pre-season. Having your first fixture in The FA Cup is far from ideal, especially given the magnitude and what could lay in wait. 

So, as the squad entered Silver Jubilee’s playing field (home of Hendon FC) at 14:15 on Sunday afternoon, the first starting XI of the 2025/2026 campaign was announced. Tonkin returned in between the sticks, with Hammond, Foster, Page and Green in front. The midfield hosted Tom & Ben Chapman, Paxman, Murray and Miller with Rory Smith leading the line.

The Hoops’ intentions were clear from the offset; Green’s ball over the top for TC to get in behind resulting in the game’s first corner (2’). The opening exchanges actually seeing a flurry of corners at each end with the hosts winning two in quick succession too (6’).

An off the ball incident two minutes later saw Foster go to ground moments later (8’); an early indication of what was to come eight minutes from time too!

Miller took his turn to show his willingness soon after; Green’s flick on midway in the Hilltop half allowed Miller to collect possession and dance in between the defensive line. His quick feet too much for the centre half who clumsily challenged somewhat dangerously close to the penalty area (11’). Murray striking the free kick into the defensive wall prior to the Assistant’s flag being raised for offside.

Hilltop’s first chance came from a free kick too (17’); Paxman upending their skilful winger approximately 25 yards from goal. The outcome, well, a good strike if you were looking for a conversion with the wrong shaped ball!

Our frustrations were beginning to show a little; a combination of some late challenges by the hosts as well as little end product with purpose, culminating in the referee rebuking Rory Smith following what looked a strong but fair challenge (21’).

The first ‘real’ chance of the game did, however, come from the home side (22’). A ball over the top collected by Kahssay who managed to keep the ball in on the goal line. He laid the ball to a colleague who struck fiercely towards the Hoops goal; Tonks getting down with a fine save to his left.

As the game became more frantic, the temperature increased. This was certainly not helped when we lost out on the opportunity of a corner (25’). The tallest player on the pitch being Hilltop’s captain Hussein who, unopposed, headed the ball directly out of play. A goal kick awarded; bizarrely.

Intermittent attacks from both sides carried through a cagey ten minutes thereafter but it was Hilltop who struck first. A ricochet in the midfield following a Green kick, ended with Jamac collecting the loose ball and hitting a sweet strike from approximately 25 yards; a great strike in fairness which appeared to move all over the place in ever direction. 1-0 (35’).

The game picked up its first yellow card as Mahdi put in a late challenge on Paxman (37’) just before Miller collected one of his own (40’). Not to be deflated, Rory Smith’s header hit the post (41’) as Deal notched their first attempt on target. Tempers flared as the half came close to a finish. It was Paxman earning himself a yellow card as well as Ali for the home side. The referee clearly losing the protagonist in the scuffle given it was the 5 (Yislam) who should have picked up the caution. A frustrating half for Deal.

HT: Hilltop 1-0 Deal 

An early corner in the second half for Deal (47’), reaped no rewards as the ball was punched clear by Hassan in the host’s goal. An efficient passage of play saw Hilltop move with purpose towards Tonkin’s goal before a cross was acrobatically smashed goal-bound by Mahdi (50’). Tonkin keeping the Hoops in the game at this point with a fine reactive save low-down.

This acted as a catalyst for the home side; similarly to the previous opportunity, Hilltop found space in the midfield to send Kahssay into the penalty area and sending his shot past Tonkin. 2-0 (52’).

This was somewhat of a sucker blow for the visitors, but a good chance came following Rory’s determination six minutes later. Sliding in to win possession from their ‘keeper, the ball fell to TC whose header was cleared off the line (58’). Not long after, Steve King looked to change the dynamics; a triple change seeing Esumobi, Hennessy and Wilkinson replacing Hammond, Miller and Rory (63’).

Esumobi looked to make immediate impact on his debut for the club, nipping in to steal possession from a defender before being brought down (66’). Yislam’s challenge earning himself a yellow card but also Esumobi being replaced by Oni due to injury (69’).

Jack Palmby also made his debut, as he replaced Page (73’), and we were then soon down to ten with TC hobbling off injured (79’). In fairness to Hilltop, the seemed the likelier side to score; moving the ball around the midfield and transitioning into the final third with purpose. 

As the game approached the 90th minute, a moment of madness buoyed our spirits and re-galvanised the team. Remember that earlier off the ball incident on Foster? Well, history repeated itself. Mohamed with an act of violent conduct behind the referee’s back was spotted by the eagle-eyed assistant and, following consultation, resulted in a red card having only come on on the hour mark. The resulting penalty smashed home into roof of the net by Murray (89’).

Given the time it took for the incident to be resolved, it was seven minutes shown on the board. Sheer determination saw us throw everything into the opposition penalty area. But it was Oni who began what resulted in the scenes moments later. Dancing between defenders, and a good amount of his shirt pulled, he jinxed into the area and eventually crossing into the congested area. With the ball balling into a neutral area, up stepped Wilkinson to absolutely thunder the ball into the top corner; cue jubilant scenes (and relief) from everyone associated with the Hoops (90’+6). 

A resilient and dogged display from the boys entitles the club to a second opportunity in The FA Cup. A Tuesday night replay at the Charles Ground now awaits. Interestingly, the winners of the replay will play either Crowborough Athletic or Punjab United; their fixture also ending 2-2 on Saturday so they replay on Tuesday too.

FT: Hilltop 2-2 Deal Town

Deal Town Starting XI: James Tonkin, Zak Hammond, Alfie Foster, Morgan Page, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman, Rory Smith, Jack Paxman, Alex Green, Ashley Miller.

Subs: Jack Palmby, Mefose Esumobi, Ife Oni, Alex Smith, Owen Wilkinson, Wes Hennessey.

Deal Goals: Macaulay Murray ('89) Owen Wilkinson ('90)

Referee: T Hood