Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Littlehampton Town on 29th October 2024 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town won four - two against Littlehampton in front of a crowd of 219 at Littlehampton. The Deal goals came from Tom Chapman (2), Jamie Kennedy and Ben Chapman.

Barely had the journey to Beckenham Town been recovered from and DTFC are on their travels again, this time a 250 mileround trip to Littlehampton Town. Originally a Saturday fixture early in the season which had to be moved due to FA competition involvement.

The 11 from the defeat v Beckenham Town remained, except for a tactical re-jig with Alfie Foster replacing Jack Penny to combat the aerial threat that a well-built Littlehampton unit may offer.

Deal were on the offensive from the off with the directness of Tom Chapman and Jamie Kennedy bothering the rather static and cumbersome defenders of the home team. This was rewarded in the 13th minute when TC picked up the ball from midfield, drifted left, making room for a low shot past the home keeper. This was no more than we deserved for our bright and industrious start.

Continued pressure and good passing led to the first caution of the match in the 18th for Home 10, Pamment, as we were harrying and disturbing their ability to create any meaningful play. From the free kick a chance went wide from Hatcher. The tempo of the contest was increasing as the half progressed with DTFC at its fulcrum. Not surprisingly this led to the second goal for Deal. The ball was won in the midfield and an aerial pass to TC, saw him drift a header over the advancing keeper for 2-0.

Deal were playing some of their best football of the season so far, though Littlehampton were being frustrated at every turn by the work rate and industry of the Deal midfield especially. The combative nature of the contest saw a caution for Ben Chapman for a challenge the referee had played a good advantage for and, despite  the time lag between the challenge and play being stopped, Mr Ryan did not forget!

Deal’s commitment and ever positive forward movement led to corner after corner and, whilst nothing came of them, Littlehampton were under siege for the remainder of the half with the majority of challenges and tackles falling to Deal. The over exuberance of Ash Miller earned him a caution in the 43rd minute for a robust tackle which, due to its proximity to the home bench, had their management team on their feet and rightly in Mr Ryan’s book.

With HT approaching after 3 extra minutes, and play still charging towards the home goal, it came as no surprise that a 3rd goal came Deal's way. A free kick delivered from the left by Macca was glanced in by Jamie Kennedy, with the goalkeeper floundering.

HT -  Littlehampton 0 – 3 Deal

After a rampaging first half by Deal, it was no surprise that Littlehampton acted at the start of the 2nd half with a bold move by their manager seeing 4 changes; 12, 14, 16 and 17 replacing 6, 7, 11 and 5. At this point they didn’t seem to have anything to lose and time would tell if their gamble would pay off.

Immediately Littlehampton showed their intentions and their no 9, Benn Joseph, tested Molloy in the Deal goal. Within minutes, Deal were being bombarded by a team who were now driving forward relentlessly at every opportunity. The tide was turning and the rampant Deal of the first half were scrapping for their lives. Intercepted passes were lashed away to the wings, empty spaces and anywhere away from the away goal area. The art of finding a team mate with a pass was forgotten and the siege mentality took over. 

When Deal did get a pass together it came to no avail and the frustrations go the better of Kennedy when he was cautioned in the 53rd minute for a mis-timed challenge in the midfield. The pace was frantic and Deal were camped on their back line thwarting raid after raid from both wings, with especially home 2, Ryan Yoro-Thomas, showing his pace, tenacity and passing skills. A flurry of cautions for niggly little challenges around the 61st and 64th were a pre-cursor for the eventual breaching of the Deal defence in the 65th minute. Poor defending from Green, led to his challenge on Yoro-Thomas (a thorn in Deal's side in the second half) being judged a penalty, with no complaints from yours truly and it was duly despatched by substitute Layton.

Bouyed by the home crowd Littlehampton continued to be industrious in midfield and their excellent passing and direct play had Deal on the back foot. To the delight of the home support a tentative ball deep in to the box led to an aerial challenge where 'keeper Molloy, a defender and an attacker (Pamment) somehow managed to let the ball drop into the net for Littlehampton’s second goal.

Deal took an opportunity to freshen their numbers; Miller off and Oni on, in an effort to spark some urgency. Whilst an odd break mainly down the right flank was pressuring the Littlehampton full backs, there was no final ball into the danger area and relentless Littlehampton were driving forward.

The match was on a knife edge with the next goal being so important. The home side were tiring after their monumental second half effort and Deal were looking to get the ball deep in to the corners if they could. Kennedey was working hard holding up the ball and looking to commit the defenders to a rash challenge. In the 86th minute Alex Smith replaced Kennedy and, within a minute, his turn in the home penalty area and the rash challenge of a defender took the match into a telling phase. The referee pointed to the spot and incredulously Deal had the opportunity to put the match to bed, despite having spent 35 minutes of the second half floundering to stay in the contest. Deal captain, Murray, stepped up and had his kick saved by home keeper (Chisolm) who could only look on as his parry broke to Ben Chapman who rifled it into the net for Deals 4th and final goal.

To their credit Littlehampton continued to surge forward with effort and fortitude in the last 10 mins but to no avail; after using their last two substitutes to relieve some tired legs, Deal were relieved to hear the final whistle in what was the proverbial games of two halves. Hats off to Littlehampton who nearly came close to pulling off a coaching master stroke with 4 timely and intelligent substitutions.

FT: LTFC 2 - 4 DTFC 

SOURCE: Don Macleod

IMAGES: Tommy McMillan (Twitter - @TommyMc93289518)

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

Subs: Jack Penny, Zak Hammond, Kieron Hollier, Alex Smith, Ife Oni.

Deal Goals: Tom Chapman ('13, '20) Jamie Kennedy ('45) Ben Chapman ('88)

Attendance: 219