Deal Town FC

29th October 2025

U13s vs Sutton Athletic (3-2)

Kent Youth League, Cup (2nd Round)

Deal produced an outstanding team performance to battle past high-flying Sutton and secure their place in the 3rd round of the Kent Awards League Cup. Against strong opposition, who had won all four league games so far this season in the U13 Central division, the team found themselves on the back foot early on as Sutton stroked the ball around confidently.

After five minutes they were grateful to Styles for being in the right place at the right time as he cleared a shot off the line after an incisive move negotiated the Deal back line. Johnson was then pleased to see a looping header clear his bar from a deflected cross as the visitors dominated the first ten minutes.

Deal were slowly adapting to the opposition and managed to grab a foothold in the game with Ledger, Husk and King battling hard in midfield and looking to feed Stennett, Thomas and Deane going forwards. After a quick break, Thomas saw a low shot saved from a Stennett pull back, before Smith fired a free kick from distance wide. As the half wore on Deal were becoming the more dominant team and they deservedly took the lead just before half time.

A loose ball was picked up in midfield before finding its way to Deane who held the ball up well before feeding it wide to Styles. His first effort was blocked but the ball rebounded to him and he quickly struck an unerring effort high into the net at the near post.

The team burst out of the blocks in the second half, looking to add to their lead and within minutes they were two goals ahead. Ledger challenged for the ball in midfield before finding King who slipped a perfect through ball into Thomas’ path. His task was made slightly easier by the covering defender slipping over, but he finished perfectly into the top corner from the edge of the box, the ball cannoning in off the angle of post and bar. With a two-goal lead Deal looked to maintain their position by adjusting to a 4-5-1 formation, Vranoci slotting in at left back in place of the hard-working attacker Deane.

Sutton were not going to go down without a fight and they began to find spaces in front of the back four, dragging Beeden inside and creating space down their left-hand side. From a low cross a glorious chance was sliced wide, but it was of little surprise when they pulled a goal back moments later, even if the manner of it was. The usually stout aerial defence was undone by an inswinging corner that was met with a thumping header that gave Johnson no chance.

With twenty-five minutes still to go it was all to play for, but the momentum was firmly with the visitors, and it was not long before the scores were level as Sutton completed their comeback. A needless free kick was conceded on the edge of the Deal box and despite being unsighted Johnson did brilliantly to smother the ball at the second attempt, however from the resulting clearance the ball was again worked out wide, this time Johnson made an even better reflex save from the initial effort but the Sutton striker reacted the quickest to prod the ball and spark jubilant celebrations from the visiting team and supporters.

After a scrappy period of play in which both teams seemed more focused on stopping the other side attacking than trying to grab a winner themselves the Deal team again did superbly to wrestle the game back in their favour. Thomas had been a continual thorn in the Sutton back line’s side, not allowing them time on the ball and drawing the ire of both the players and coaches after some bruising 50/50 challenges. Despite carrying a booking for one too many fouls he continued to press forward and won his side a corner on the right-hand side. Styles delivery was perfect and Smith rose highest to nod the ball home from six yards.

There was still time left on the clock and it was a backs against the wall rearguard effort from Deal as they fought to maintain their lead. A weaving run from the Sutton winger resulted in a shot just over, before a goalmouth scramble saw Husk produce a vital block that diverted a goalbound shot wide. Despite injury time seeming to last for another fifteen minutes the referee bought to a close a pulsating encounter that the hosts deserved to win on the overall balance of play.

A superb result for the boys against a team who came in with a strong pedigree and a real feather in the cap for a Deal team that is still adapting to eleven a side football and the rigours of the Kent League.

U14s vs Erith Town (3-4)

KYL League Cup

The game started well for Deal looking at improving on their possession and patterns of play. The game then started to turn towards Erith with them getting a bit of success down the wings, which was where their first goal came from a whipped in cross from the right was turned into their own net by a Deal Town player and Erith took the lead.

It soon became 2-0 with a bit of good work down the right and the Erith forward slotted the ball home nicely. As the half was nearing the end Deal looked to get themselves back in the game with a couple of corners, first one came to nothing but the second one was turned in by a Mackenzie-Frazer header for his first goal of the season.

HT: Deal Town 1 Erith Town 2

The 2nd half started a bit like the first Deal took control of the ball and was searching for the equaliser, Turner-Dauncey now up front was looking a threat, Star-Rose was winning a lot of ball and keeping it well. Unfortunately Deal were caught on the counter and 2-1 became 3-1 and then 4-1. At this point the game could have run away from Deal but with Allen now in goal after replacing a good Carley performance at Half time kept Deal in the game with some good saves.

 Star-Rose, like Mackenzie-Frazer, scored his first goal of the season to give Deal hope, after rising at the back post to score with his head. With the energy of Deal lifted, Mackenzie-Frazer found himself in the middle of midfield and found a good ball through to Turner-Dauncey who was just onside and found the bottom corner with calm finish. With the game now at 3-4 Deal pushed and pushed in search for an equaliser that would make the game to penalties but unfortunately it wasn't to be their day and exited the cup in the 2nd Round.

FT: Deal Town 3 Erith Town 4

U18s vs Herne Bay (2-1)

Deal Town U18s secured a valuable three points at home despite a below-par performance against a competitive Herne Bay side.

The game began slowly, with Deal struggling to find their usual rhythm and intensity. Herne Bay capitalised on this early hesitancy, pressing well and taking a deserved 1–0 lead. The response from Deal was immediate. Straight from the restart, some quick play with a ball over the top saw Mekhi level the scoreline with a composed finish, restoring confidence and momentum for the home side.

As the first half progressed, Deal began to settle into the game, showing more composure in possession and creating better phases of play. A well-weighted pass from Archie over the top of the Herne Bay back line found Mekhi, who showed excellent movement and control before slotting home his second of the match to give Deal a 2–1 lead at the break.

The second half was a more even contest, with both teams creating chances but lacking the finishing touch to alter the scoreline. Deal showed resilience and discipline out of possession, maintaining their shape and seeing out the game professionally to claim all three points.

While the performance was far from their usual standards, the players’ commitment, attitude, and work rate could not be questioned. The coaching staff will take encouragement from the character shown to respond after going behind and the ability to grind out a result when not at their best.

FT: Deal Town U18s 2–1 Herne Bay U18s

Goals: Mekhi (2)

Senior Sides

The 1st team played twice in four days; beating Hastings United on Saturday (25/10/25) by 3-1 and then defeating East Grinstead Town on Tuesday evening (28/10/25) by 2-1. The Women's side lost by 3-2 at the Alcaline Stadium, as Folkestone Invicta took all three points. 

The U23s Kent FA Intermediate Cup fixture was postponed last Thursday night, and will now be replayed this coming Thursday evening at the Charles Ground.