Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Margate on 10th September 2024 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town lost two - one against Margate in front of a crowd of 566 at Margate. The Deal goal came from Aaron Millbank.

With a disruption to the starting XI, Tom Chapman had to be replaced due to a slight injury which resulted in a call up for Wes Hennessey prior to KO. 

The game started brightly for the Hoops; BC winning back possession in midfield before unleashing Miller down the right only to put his cross over. Margate created their first half-hearted chance too (3’); a Greenhalgh corner floated over everyone before hitting the foot of the far post and coming to nothing. Margate threatened soon after as a long Hudson throw found its way to Knight, who squared his header across to Garande who headed straight over. 

Deal’s first main opportunity came having won a free-kick out wide (7’); Murray’s resulting delivery finding Millbank, flicking on to an on-rushing Foster for his shot to be saved. Nonetheless the Assistant’s flag raised. More pressure persisted, as Monday won back the ball a few moments later and burst past his opponent. Taking a hit he fed in Millbank who flashed a cross across goal but again no final product. 

Margate then came to life (13’) as a smart interchange of short passing resulted in Greenhalgh carving an opening but again no end product. The first shot on target then followed albeit a rather tame effort from distance from Margate’s Davey. The game quietened for a few moments before Deal had good cause for a foul, as Murray appeared to be caused late; Kingy’s thoughts clearly heard towards Referee Butcher!

Following a largely passive period, Hennessy won Deal a corner through perseverance down the left, albeit the delivery wasted into no-man’s-land. The corner seemed to invigorate Margate, with Olutade darting past several Deal players before half-hearted penalty claims (31’). This was followed with a series of successive corners for the hosts; dangerous deliveries swung right in to Molloy’s area, asking questions of the Deal defenders.   

Referee Butcher then took opportunity to impose himself; an advantage played to Margate resulted in Paxman entering the book and receiving a yellow card (43’). Deal feeling aggrieved that similar actions when Miller was fouled momentarily before did not have similar repercussions. Margate continued their ascendency moving forward; a transition in possession relating in a quick counter for the ‘Gate. It was Monday bringing that attack to a quick halt, and probably somewhat lucky not to receive a yellow card too. 

And that was it for the half; no significant chances with the scores remaining level.

HALF TIME: MFC 0-0 DTFC

Wes Hennessy came to life early in the second half (49’), evading a late challenge from Knight and skipping over Greenhalgh before pulling a wayward cross into the centre of the pitch. Margate went up the other end and blew a chance wide, before it was Deal who capitalised. Good work from Miller down the right side saw him cut inwards, the ball coming across the face of the penalty area before Millbank sending a strike through the ‘keepers hands (52’); 0-1. 

They say you become most vulnerable when you score, and this was to be the case. Having given way a soft foul midway in the half, Deal were required to defend another Greenhalgh delivery. Sending the ball into the goal area, Olutade first pounced, Molloy saving, before Olutade sending the rebound into the net (54’); 1-1. 

The ‘Gate would have hoped to have further punished the visitors soon after as a piercing run down the right by Duo appeared dangerous (56’); an important block sending the ball for a corner and thankfully resulting in no further danger. A move then replicated by Duo (62’) albeit his cross coming heading out for a throw on the far side this time round. 

It was another viscous corner for Margate, sent into test the Deal defence and the end shot drawing Molloy into action. Paxman took possession and sent Miller away with a quick counter. A delivery was fired across front of Wray’s goal as he parried the ball against Hennessy. For a moment it looked as if the ball would find its way nestling into the net, but it trickled just wide. 

Both sides looked to change personal just after the hour mark, as Penny was introduced for Hennessy and Abibio replaced Duo (62’). The resulting substitute seeing Millbank working the line up front alone and a re-shuffle in the midfield to accommodate. Margate made their second change as Franzen-Jones was replaced by Atkins (75’)

Miller sprung into life from inside the Deal half, as his pulsating run resulted in Hudson fouling; possession retained as Green picked up the ball but again nothing favourably resulting, apart from Hudson picking up a yellow card (78’).

With ten minutes left, not only did Miller get replaced by Reeves but the heavens opened. An absolute downpour swirled around Hartsdown Park, coupled with a vile wind too. Cue introduction of Ife Oni (83’) who replaced Murray and then another re-shuffle in formation. The conditions beginning to impact any conducive play at this point, albeit Margate were dogged in creating a number of chances. It was Oni, though, who asked the next question of the referee; collecting possession mid-way in the Deal half and skipping past Greenhalgh before being cynically brought to ground. The result, a yellow card (89’). 

Five minutes was then displayed as Margate pressed further; Oni giving away a needless free-kick on the touchline albeit the delivery not clearing Paxman in the solitary one-man wall. Tempers flared in the closing stages following a late foul on BC; Knight cautioned for his troubles, and Foster for his reaction (90’+5). And then, absolute heartbreak; the resulting delivery pumped deep into the Deal half, and eventually the ball falling to Atkins seven minutes into stoppage. Claims for offside falling on deaf-ears of both Butcher and the Assistant; Deal punished in the closing stages. 

Deal will feel aggrieved not to have come away with a point; defensively managing to keep Margate at bay but the lapse in concentration at the death resulting in nothing gained. 

FULL-TIME: MFC 2-1 DTFC

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Alfie Foster, Billy Munday, Wes Hennessey, Macaulay Murray, Aaron Millbank, Ben Chapman, Alex Green, Ashley Miller, Josh Vincent.

Subs: Jack Penny, Ife Oni, Kieron Hollier, Joe Reeves, Morgan Page.

Deal Goals: Aaron Millbank ('51)

Referee: Butcher

Attendance: 566