With a real chance of a postponed game following the first substantial rainfall that the Charles Ground has seen after a very dry summer, it was with a real sense of opportunity that Deal went into this game once the go-ahead was given. The pitch was slick and an early look at the team sheets showed two strong teams being put out by both managers, showing respect not only for the competition but for the opposition alike.

The opening quarter was an open affair with both teams probing for an opening that would not present itself. Both defences were doing a sterling job at keeping any attempts on goal down to long-range pot-shots and manfully seeing away any crosses that were coming their way. Deal, with what felt like a rotating front four at times of Hennesey, Wilkinson, R Smith & Miller were utilising the flexible nature of their front-line to look for any weakness in the opposition.

It’s perhaps not fair to say that “tempers flared” in the opening half but there were times when the game certainly got away from the man in the middle, exemplified in a nutshell by the 2 yellow cards – for Green & Miller – that were shown following a foul identical to one committed by a Chatham player a few minutes earlier. A few handbags and a game threatening to overspill and teetering close to doing so when a Chatham player raised his arms to push Rory Smith in the face following another coming together. A yellow card for the Chatham no.4 that would have bought a few relieved sighs from the opposition bench, I’m sure.

With all that being said, the niggly nature and upbeat tempo was making for great viewing and had the Deal faithful in strong voice in support of the boys. In added time of the first half, they had even more to sing about. A Deal strike, destined for the back of the net was blatantly handballed by a Chatham player in the box and a penalty was awarded. Ash Miller deservedly cashing in on the opportunity and reaping his rewards for a good first half performance. 1-0 to Deal heading into the break.

Once the second half got underway it continued in much the same pattern as the first; two ambitious teams trying to assert themselves on the game.  Chatham were winning lots of corners, unsurprisingly aimed toward their somewhat vertically advantaged centre back (very tall boy). It was Deal on the 64th minute however who doubled their lead, once again through Ash Miller who was on hand to slot home the rebound from a fiercely struck attempt on goal from just outside the box. 2-0 up with 30 minutes to go and an upset was firmly on the cards for Deal.

Up until this point Deal had been managing the opposition threat admirably, with Tonks not really being called into action but on the 74th minute this changed, a penalty was awarded to Chatham for what, on initial viewing, looked like a perfectly legal challenge from Green. As I type I have not had the opportunity to view this back but what looked like a well-timed challenge was deemed not to be so by the referee on the night and a penalty given. Chatham’s no.9, Jimmy Wild, made no mistake of the opportunity and ensured a nail-biting last 20 minutes were to follow.

 So it followed, Chatham pushing for the equaliser, Deal holding steadfast in defence. It wasn’t until the 87th minute when Deal’s defences were finally breached. A perfect left-footed inswinging ball from deep on the right-hand side was met by the head of the Chatham striker to nod cooly into the corner. Not a lot the defence or goalkeeper could do all told; a superbly executed ball followed by a well taken header. You applaud and move on. Despite one more scare in added time Deal held on and the game moved straight to penalties.

Penalty shootouts: the old nemesis/friend, depending on where your mind wanders. For me, I pick happy times, such as whenever Chelsea loses one. For others, well we won’t go into that…

Winning the toss and shooting towards the home fans, Deal got off to the perfect start, Tonks saving the first penalty down to his left. Now just to score our five please! Owen, Rory & Penny slotted their penalties – interspersed by Chatham players all scoring theirs. It was then the turn of Ben Chapman, Deal’s centurion, to put us within touching distance of the next round. Alas, it wasn’t to be, the Chatham keeper guessing the right way and saving to his right.

Still, all equal now, effectively sudden death. Young James Fielding put his penalty home nicely and Tonks duly did the same. Strouts next. Goal. Tonks then came agonisingly close to saving the 8th Chatham penalty. Greeny then sent the keeper the wrong way and scored. Who was going to come out on top here? Would it ever end? Unfortunately, for Deal, the end came with our 9th penalty, Zak Hammond having his penalty well saved by the Chatham keeper. Ultimately an 8-7 loss on penalties.

And breathe…

No shame in losing to a team of this quality and certainly plenty of positivity to take into the coming weeks. More performances of this ilk and the results will follow, of that I’m certain.

Come on you Hoops!

Words from Zack Foulds