Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played AFC Croydon Athletic on 14th December 2024 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town won two - one against AFC-Croydon-Athletic in front of a crowd of 129 at AFC-Croydon-Athletic. The Deal goals came from Tom Chapman.

A trip to Greater London beckoned for DTFC after last week’s home win against Phoenix Sports, with Macca returning and replacing the injured Jamie Kennedy.

In sunny conditions both teams struggled to get a grip of the game with neither seeming to want to test either 'keeper, with the only event of note being an unlucky caution for Paxman in the 12th minute. AFC Croydon were keen to develop their game and the increasingly dangerous No 10 Pierrick on the left wing looked like their best outlet. Try as they might DT were not convincing and seemed to lack inventiveness despite having equal possession and were having to cope with No4 Kirby winning a lot of the ball in midfield.

A quick ball forward from Miller to Ben Chapman on the right was blocked out for a corner which was played short and a Macca cross was flapped at and spilled by Tangara in the home goal with the shot then going wide. Both teams continued to try and dominate an increasingly scrappy first half with the defences seeing far too much of the ball and despite a point-blank header from TC being saved the sound of the whistle brought to a close a very drab affair.

A better start for both teams to the second half was all the fans wanted and it was the home ones who got their wish within 10 mins with a seemingly definite free kick for DT not being given and the ball breaking to No15 Omilabu on the left and his shot nestled in the back on the net. This seemed to bring AFC Croydon out of their shell and shortly after a header shot past Molloy’s post.

This spurred the away bench into action and Rory Smith replaced Archie Hatcher just before the home No 19 found his way into referee Trout’s book for persistent infringements. Another change for DT saw Niblett replace Macca Murray and a formation change saw Max pick up the dangerous Pierrick! Despite the changes AFC Croydon looked capable every time they had possession and continued to press though the DT defence never looked like being breached. With two further changes by DT management Wilkinson replacing Vincent and Smith replacing Miller the away hand was dealt and it was time to see what cars were held.

In the 80th minute a ball played forward to TC, saw it crossed in and was headed away for a corner on the right, which when taken broke to the left-hand side of the AFC Croydon box, where TC picked it up and his shot flew past Tangara’s out stretched left hand into the back of the net for a deserved equaliser. Barely had the travelling support taken their seats when from the kick off, the ball broke to TC on the right and his mazy run ended up in the back of the net down low to the left for a quick fire second and the lead for DT.

On the second half performance a deserved lead for DT, though the home AFC Croydon fans would probably disagree, meant that the home team had now to chase the game in an effort to draw level. An injury to Penny saw the final DT sub come on and despite plenty possession AFC Croydon looked devoid of any inspiration in their quest to get back on terms and their exuberance seemed to get the better off them when with a few minutes left a challenge by TC saw him injured, with puncture marks in his thigh under the nose of the stand side assistant from an AFC Croydon defender. Inexplicably there was no reaction to a challenge that seemed reckless in the least. After lengthy treatment TC continued with heavy strapping and compromised mobility as DT had committed all their substitutes.

With no board being shown, it was anybody’s guess how many minutes would have to be endured before the final whistle sounded and to their credit DT who could have parked the bus continued to work hard and cover the ground, with in the 92 minute a pass through to sub Wilkinson seeing him go inches from putting the game to bed with a curling shot from the right which floated out of the reach of the AFC Croydon NO1 and just past the left hand post. With one final chance from AFC Croydon, a header from their left floated past the DT upright and referee Trout’s whistle brought the game to an end.

Our MAPS away man of the match was Tom Chapman.

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Jack Penny, Alfie Foster, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman, Alex Green, Ashley Miller, Archie Hatcher, Josh Vincent.

Subs: Morgan Page, Rory Smith, Max Niblett, Alex Smith, Owen Wilkinson.

Deal Goals: Tom Chapman ('81, '82)

Referee: Trout

Attendance: 129