A superb first-half strike by new signing Harris Rogers gave the Hoops a 1-0 victory over Margate in their second pre-season friendly on Saturday.
The tall frontman curled a 25-yarder into the top corner two minutes before the break and that proved enough for Deal to defeat a Margate side who finished seventh in the Bostik League last season and who boasted bags of experience in the likes of former Folkestone defender Liam Friend and ex-Dover Athletic midfielder James Rogers.
But the Hoops, with James Tonkin having another solid game in goal, successfully protected their slender lead and can now look forward to their next pre-season game at home to a Gillingham XI on Monday (7.30pm) when Gills’ boss Steve Lovell, who was in the Hoops’ FA Vase winning side in 2000, is expected to make a welcome return to the Charles Ground.
