Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played East Grinstead Town FC on 31st August 2024 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town won three - two against East-Grinstead at East-Grinstead. The Deal goals came from Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman and Tom Chapman.

Another long trip to West Sussex to the Vistavis Community Stadium for this Isthmian League (South-East Division) fixture. Following both side's early exit from The FA Cup, it meant this scheduled league game could go ahead; on a day where there was a reduced fixture-list, with just three other fixtures taking place.

Manager Steve King made just one change from the side who hosted Ramsgate on Bank Holiday Monday; Aaron Millbank coming in, in place of Rory Smith. There was also a return to the matchday squad for Jack Penny, for the first time since last season, following his recovery from injury. U23s Owen Wilkinson and Morgan Page also joined the bench for the trip to Sussex.

The first forays forward belonged mostly to Deal as they tried to get a foothold in the first ten mins. A flurry of darting runs down both flanks from Ash Miller culminated in hopeful crosses, which were only finding EGT defenders. The defenders of EGT continually picking up the pieces, with their clearences dropping harmlessly into midfield.

Deal's relentlessness going forward, and persistence in attack, eventually paid off. The game just over a fifteen minutes old when Alex Green set free Miller, whose cross found the outstretched hand of the EGT defender giving referee Oliver Sanders-Morris no option but to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped a confident Macaulay Murray, who despatched cleanly into the left-hand corner; the home goalkeeper going helplessly the other way. 0-1 Deal (17').

Despite being the poorer of the two teams, this didn’t affect EGT and they moved forward from the kick-off, looking for a way back in. They were almost immediately rewarded, catching out Deal with a ball played over the defence from the right-side. EGT's 9, Matthew Daniel, latched onto the ball who calmly chipped the ball over the advancing Adam Molloy for the equaliser (19').

This buoyed EGT and from kick-off they were on the hunt again; the ball forwarded on the right after winning possession. The EGT winger cutting inside to EGT 10, Connor Tighe, who peeld to the right of the Deal defence and dispatched a shot low into the bottom left corner; past the stranded Molloy in Deal's goal (21').

The visitors did not appreciate this sudden fight back and, try as they could, their endeavours down both wings were coming to nothing. Developing the play was only leading to balls into the edge of the box which were being swept up and cleared by the central defenders with ease.

EG were a constant threat in midfield, winning the majority of the loose balls which came from clearances from both wings from Deal. EGT 8, Oliver Spinks, was their primary playmaker and despite some good incisive moves his direct and intuitive forward play was being stifled by the fractious tempo of the game. The majority of forward play by both teams had no end product and despite forays by both into the penalty areas the half time whistled signalled the end of the first half. 

HALF TIME: East Grinstead Town 2 - 1 Deal Town

The start of the second half started in much the same tempo as the first; both teams looking to make meaningful progress but thwarted in the midfield areas with challenges. Quick passing and forward play leading to the first caution for EGT 5, Matt Weaire (47'). The resultant free kick looked like a rehearsed training ground move and, despite a clean shot, it sailed over.

The tempo of the game was rising and despite the man in the middle looking for any advantage for play to develop it was becoming a tale of foul after foul. Deal were continuing to develop as an acting unit especially down the right. Despite the attacking prowess, we were nearly punished on the edge of our own area. In stepped Max Niblett to break up the attack, resulting in Deal's first caution of the game (55'). 

It seemed that 'Kingy' had seen enough at this point, making a double change (58'); Jamie Kennedy and Joe Reeves being introduced for Aaron Millbank and Max Niblett, respectively. The changes led to Billy Munday dropping into central defence alongside Alfie Foster. Equally, the introduction of Kennedy gave Deal a more direct threat up-front; his bustling style was
unsettling EGT, whose No. 2 was spoken to by the referee for his over exuberance!

Just after the hour-mark and it was Kennedy who darted in from the left and shot tamely past the right post. EGT continued to look at developing from the midfield area with balls wide on both flanks winning the odd corner, but their deliveries came to nothing. Both teams were sloppy in possession, giving neither the opportunity to progress meaningful chances. Play was darting between both boxes although neither goalkeeper being troubled.

Owen Wilkinson was introduced (72'), for Foster, with approximately 20 minutes to go as King looked to the youthful pace to reinvigorate the side. This immediately kick-started an attack; a darting run on the right wing by Tom Chapman saw him hauled down on the edge of the penalty area. An opportunity to advance on the EGT 'keeper, one-on-one, resulting in howls of derision form the away players and technical area. The header over from the free kick seemed scant reward!

The tempo of the game rose with this passage of play and every challenge, collision and attempt to get the ball by either team was being met with shrieks and shouts from both sets of fans and benches. Only acting as a catalyst to galvanise Deal now, who continued to try and muster a chance for the equaliser. Into the final ten now and an exasperated Miller received his final warning from Mr Sanders-Morris (82'), for his petulance and continued dissent.

TC continued his bustling runs down the right flank; the H7 and 10 were both spoken to for their efforts in stopping TC's prgress. Time was against Deal in their quest for a second goal; their continued drive down the right-wing seemed to be their best chance to open up EGT defence.

Surprisingly the opportunity for the elusive equaliser came from sub Kennedy, who hassled and harried, before releasing fellow sub Wilkinson on left-hand side. Wilkinson's delivery into the area was rifled home by Ben Chapman (90') to rapturous scenes from the Deal bench and travelling support.

The equaliser definitely upped the ante and Deal were looking for the winner before the end; five minutes of stoppage time shown. TC again running the show on the right side and, after cutting in, was caught by the EGT 3 whose yellow card was the pre-cursor to the main event. The ball played in, the EGT 'keeper fumbling, before non-other than TC on hand to bundle the ball into the net (90'+2). Finally rewarded for his hard-work and perservance.

Maybe a smash and grab but Deal showed the mentality to keep going until the end; EGT may feel aggrieved to have lost so near the end, but it was the relentlessness and committment of Deal which was rewarded! The loss of their injured defender and captain, Wilson, seemed to be telling for EGT but credit to The Hoops and their young substitutes for their input and involvement in both final goals which ultimately contributed to bring three points home.

Steve was pleased with the outcome:

Delighted to get the three points against decent opponents. We were pleased with our performance but conceded sloppy goals which made things difficult for us. The boys showed their togetherness and team spirit and kept going until the very end. There is no better way to win than with two late goals. Thanks to all those who travelled to support us

FULL TIME: East Grinstead Town 2 - 3 Deal Town

The away Man of the Match, as sponsored by MAPS was selected as Tom Chapman.

Report: Courtesy of Don Macleod

Photo Source: Ed Boyden Photos

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Alfie Foster, Billy Munday, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Aaron Millbank, Ben Chapman, Alex Green, Max Niblett, Ashley Miller.

Subs: Jack Penny, Joe Reeves, Owen Wilkinson, Morgan Page, Jamie Kennedy.

Deal Goals: Macaulay Murray ('17) Ben Chapman ('90) Tom Chapman ('90)

Referee: Morris-Sanders

Attendance: 124