Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Phoenix Sports on 01st February 2025 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town lost two - one against Phoenix in front of a crowd of 172 at Phoenix. The Deal goal came from Ashley Miller.

A trip to Bexleyheath along the A2 beckoned this weekend to face Phoenix Sports. Due to injuries to Josh Vincent and Alex Green we had Kane Smith, team captain, starting after his stint at Canterbury City under dual registration protocols. Recent acquisition Ben Clark from Gillingham also made his debut for the Hoops.

On a crisp afternoon, it took time for both teams to find their feet on a heavy pitch which would have benefited from the use of the heavy roller if conditions had allowed. An early shot from Tom Chapman found the arms of the home keeper and, within 12 mins, Kane Smith (after his very long layoff) succumbed to injury and was replaced by Morgan Page. A disappointing sight indeed after his month at CCFC with no issues.

There seemed great difficulty with both units finding a telling pass and a header for TC in the 15th minute saw the home keeper push it away. A flurry of corner kicks had DTFC pinned in by PSFC, but no discernible chance was created during any of them. Try as they might, it was difficult to get any rhythm going and passes were going astray from both teams. A quick breakaway from DTFC on the right side found TC and his pass inside was met by Rory, whose contact was high and wide.

The proceedings sparked into life in the 31st minute, when referee Poole signalled a penalty; despite a tackle which looked, from afar, very innocuous. Despite the melee and remonstrations, DTFC No1 Adam Molloy proceeded to save brilliantly low down to his left and push the ball away for a corner. A definite let off for DTFC. Despite this fright it continued to be attritional and in a similar vein another challenge in the 41st minute led to the second penalty of the half. After being cautioned, Molloy could to nothing to stop home No11 Thompson from finding the back of the net.

HALF TIME: Phoenix Sports 1-0 Deal Town

DT started the second half with more purpose than the first and they needed to. Ben Chapman was quickly into the box but, despite winning a corner, it came to nothing. DTFC were able to penetrate the opposition box with regularity but any chances coming their way were petering out or finding no clear opening towards the goal. Whilst DTFC continued, PSFC were themselves able to break and try and utilise the flanks in an effort find another goal.

With weary players out there, DTFC made the first changes with Ben Chapman and Ben Clark making way for Wes Hennessey and Archie Hatcher. Almost immediately Hennessey had a chance but the home goalie was in the right place. The work rate of TC looked like the opening which could provide something but, despite his efforts, it was becoming increasingly fraught amongst the DTFC faithful. Two more changes in quick succession saw Rory Smith replaced by Ife Onie, and the earlier sub-Morgan replaced by Jamie Kennedy, in a tactical alteration to try and get the much sought after equaliser.

Almost immediately a break forward by PSFC into the DTFC box saw an inexplicable mix up, which I couldn’t honestly make head or tail off and the ball trundled into the far-left hand corner for a second for the home team; goal credited to sub Pingling. A mortal blow for the visitors and, as luck would have it, PSFC seemed to have a better touch in front of goal. With time running out and again efforts being created Ashley Miller pounced on a loose ball to find the net in the 88th minute, to give some semblance of optimism in the quest for a point. With six minutes shown, it gave faint hope but, try as they might, it fell to a last fizzing shot-come pass from the left fired across the six-yard box from Miller. It was all but begging for a touch from anybody but it drifted away and the chances for a point were gone.

FULL TIME: Phoenix Sports 2 – 1 Deal Town

Source - Don Macleod

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Jack Penny, Alfie Foster, Kane Smith, Tom Chapman, Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman, Rory Smith, Ashley Miller, Ben Clark.

Subs: Morgan Page, Wes Hennessey, Ife Oni, Jamie Kennedy, Archie Hatcher.

Deal Goals: Ashley Miller ('88)

Referee: Poole

Attendance: 172