Deal Town FC

MENS FIRST TEAM

Deal Town played Ramsgate on 01st January 2025 in the Isthmian League South East Division. Deal Town lost three - nil against Ramsgate in front of a crowd of 1288 at Ramsgate. 

The trip to our nearest rivals came about on the first day of 2025, ending one of the most enduring but prosperous years in the history of Deal Town FC. After our biggest win in the league so far, on Saturday vs Lancing (5-0), Steve King stuck with 10 of the 11 previous starters; the solitary change coming in the way of Rory Smith replacing Wes Hennessey. A murmur could be heard amongst the steely band of supporters who were there, battling the stormy conditions, and the formation expected became a source of interest and discussion.

With the match quickly underway, it was apparent form the kick off that the home team had brought their season-long play to bear on the away team. They were on the front foot straight away

and it was evident that they had a plan to push forward when opportunities arose. The movement down the right was being directed by the home No7, Benny Bioletti, whose pace was causing issues for Alex Green in the Deal defence. It came as no surprise that the first strike went the way of the home team, as the industrious Bioletti pounced on an error by Molloy in the away goal to give the Rams the lead.

Try as they might, Deal were feeding of scraps with passes going astray and meaningful plays fizzling out with overhit passes or the ball going out of play. With the last 15 minutes of the first half becoming an important phase of the game, DTFC started to believe in themselves ever so slightly more. It lead to Tom Chapman shooting on target which was parried away by the home ‘keeper, Tom Hadler, with the follow up shot by Ashley Miller nicked off a defender and over the bar. This lifted Deal and this portion of the first half was certainly becoming their best opportunity to show what they could do. A free kick on the right edge of the opponent’s penalty area gave another chance; a couple of pings in and out of the box ended with the ball in the possession of Hadler. With only one minute of added time, the first half drew to a close.

HALF TIME: Ramsgate 1 – 0 Deal Town

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Ramsgate striding forward straight away. Former Hoop Billy Munday beginning to show his dominance in midfield; his first shot whistled past the right post. Two quick cautions were shown to Deal; Alex Green (52’) and Tommy Lamb (56’), when challenges became more robust, and Ramsgate continued to hold the upper hand.

Deal found it tough to show any constructive response and it came as no surprise when Bioletti struck with the second for the home team; a free-kick finding its way past Molloy (60’). No sooner had play restarted and another corner, won by Bioletti, was played in and was pounced on by the goal machine Joe Taylor who smashed it past a helpless Molloy (63’). This was the killer blow for DTFC, who had struggled to get into the game.

Kingy’s reaction, four quick changes with Wes Hennessey, Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman and Josh Vincent replacing Rory Smith, Ashley Miller, Ife Oni and Archie Hatcher. With the fresh legs on the away management were no doubt hopeful and, despite the score, there was a belief that a goal could spark things. Sadly these hopes continually came up against the strong and purposeful home defence; despite some possession and pressure, the play like the first half was coming to very little and the home keeper was becoming a spectator.

With the last 10 mins left to play, the home team replaced Alfie Paxman and, the man of the match, Billy Munday with Josh Ajayi and Connor Wilkins. In the dying embers of the match a chance to get a consolation goal for Deal was wasted; Ben Chapman testing Hadler’s awareness late on, which was saved. Referee Richard Joss then brought the contest to an end.

Our away fixture man of the match, as sponsored by MAPS, was Tommy Lamb.

FULL TIME: Ramsgate 3 – 0 Deal Town

Courtesy of Don Macleod

Photos courtesy of @ATPhotography94

Deal Town Starting XI: Adam Molloy, Jack Paxman, Alfie Foster, Tommy Lamb, Tom Chapman, Rory Smith, Max Niblett, Alex Green, Ife Oni, Ashley Miller, Archie Hatcher.

Subs: Macaulay Murray, Ben Chapman, Wes Hennessey, Alex Smith, Josh Vincent.

Referee: Joss

Attendance: 1288