Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Eastbourne Town FC on 23rd November 2024 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town lost five - three against Eastbourne in front of a crowd of 170 at Eastbourne. The Deal goals came from Macaulay Murray (2) and Tom Chapman.

Despite the extreme weather conditions, good numbers of travelling DTFC supporters were evident at ETFC for this League fixture.

Returning to the starting 11 were Ash Miller, Jack Paxman and Josh Vincent; Alex Green dropping to the the bench. Despite Ife Oni's sparkling double vs Littlehampton last week, he remained on the bench hoping to appear with impact.

The start couldn’t have been more negative for DTFC with the first attack of the home team, leading to a penalty and the dismissal of Alfie Foster for denying a goal scoring opportunity. In controversial style, it appeared Foster had headed the ball back rather than committing a foul, and so a slight ill-feeling mustering as a result. The penalty was summarily despatched by the home No9 Ding despite the protestations.

Despite the difficult conditions DTFC were no content to sit in and hope. They constantly provided opportunities to their front line to exploit the swirling wind which was in their back. Both teams were playing good football and using the flanks in an effort to provide depth and a quick ball across the respective defensive lines in an effort to use the damp conditions to their advantage.

As the half developed, DTFC were giving a good account of themselves despite their lesser numbers. It was Deal's moment to shine; after a long throw from Paxman into the penalty area, the ball broke to Deal and the clattering tackle of an ETFC defender led to the referee again pointing to the spot for the 2nd penalty of the match. Captain Mcauley Murray cleanly dispatching the kick to bring the scores level.

Play continued to ebb and flow but ETFC No 10 picked up the ball, just shy of half-time, drove in from the left. As the Deal defenders backed-off, a shot across Molloy nestled in the far corner of the net; a blow for DTFC who had seemed to weather a combative first half.

From the re-start the ball was moved out to the right and fired in to the feet of a Kennedy. With the defender's hands in the middle of his back, down Kennedy went, ensuring that his tumble to the ground was followed by the whistle and the referee again pointing for a penalty; amazingly the third penalty of the half. Given the pressure, a daunting prospective now but up stepped Murray to smash it home for 2-2.

HALF TIME: ETFC 2 - 2 DTFC

The second half started with the home team showing their numeric advantage would stand them in good steady, developing play from their back line and using their flanks to good advantage. Constant crosses were peppering the box of DTFC but, despite their constant attacking, ETFC were not making Molloy work too hard.

With the remaining 30 minutes to go and the away side beginning to drop further back under the attack of the ETFC frontline, a missed place pass from Miller found its way to the ETFC 9 Ding and he buried it with aplomb.

Continued attacking from ETFC found DTFC under pressure with little opportunity to get forward and it came as no surprise that the hosts fourth goal came from the right and was shot home by No10 for his second.

This seemed to sparkle DTFC in to a quick attack and a move from the right saw the ball break to TC who shot into the net for the 3rd goal for the visitors. Whilst this may have provided a lingering idea of a fight back from DTFC, ETFC continued to show their prowess up front and it came as no surprise that a 5th (and a hat-trick for No9 Ding) ended the fixture as a contest. The remaining minutes were played out and the referees whistle brought the game to an end.

FULL TIME: ETFC 5 - 3 DTFC

The MAPS Away Fixture 'Player of the Match' award was presented to Ben Chapman. 

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

Subs: Alex Smith, Joe Reeves, Wes Hennessey, Alex Green, Ife Oni.

Deal Goals: Macaulay Murray ('32, '45) Tom Chapman ('75)

Referee: Lynch

Attendance: 170