Deal manager Derek Hares felt Monday night’s friendly against near-neighbours Dover Athletic would have benefitted both clubs as they started their respective pre-season campaigns in front of a 300-plus crowd at the Charles Ground.
Hares said: “Hopefully it was a good exercise for both teams. The Dover officials seemed pleased with the hospitality they received and also with the pitch being in such good condition.
“From our point of view we won’t be playing against a team as good as that again in the coming season and I thought our boys acquitted themselves pretty well.”
Thanks to some determined defending Deal made their Vanarama National League opponents wait 35 minutes before opening their account when Jamie Allen produced a cool lob over James Tonkin, and two minutes later Dover skipper Mitch Brundle added number two with a low drive.
Deal, with Andy Miller showing some nice touches in midfield against his former club, almost pulled a goal back right on half-time when Dover ‘keeper Mitch Walker pushed aside Harry Alexander’s sweetly-struck volley.
Both sides then made several changes for the second half and it was one of Dover’s substitutes, new signing Inih Effiong, who made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Brad Short’s 57th-minute trip on Loui Fazakerley.
But Deal pulled a goal back when Connor Coyne headed home Connor Miller’s 69th-minute cross and, although an unnamed Dover triallist scored twice more in the closing stages, Hares still had every reason to be pleased with his team’s contribution to an enjoyable 90 minutes.
