Sevenoaks moved three points clear at the top of the Southern Counties East League table after recording their second win of the season at the Charles Ground on Saturday.
And this latest victory followed a similar pattern to their 3-1 Kent Senior Trophy success in September, with the visitors dominating the first half before Deal made a game of it with a spirited second half comeback.
From the start the Sevenoaks displayed the sort of confident air you would expect from a side who had won eight of their previous nine matches and, aided by a sluggish early opening from the Hoops, they raced into a 2-0 lead after just 11 minutes.
Powerful midfielder Jason Thompson drilled home the first after a sweet one-two on the edge of the box with Mark Jones and then Thompson returned the compliment by setting up Jones for another clinical finish.
Playing against the wind and with Sevenoaks producing some slick passing football Deal remained under the cosh for much of the first period. But, with Kane Smith again proving a rock in defence, the Hoops managed to deny Sevenoaks any further joy until half-time.
And the second half was a much more even contest. Liam Hark twice went close in the early stages before Deal were awarded a 63rd-minute penalty when Jones clattered into Dan Adams just inside the area. Adams took the spot kick himself and although his shot was blocked by ‘keeper Ben Bridle-Card, Adams volleyed home the rebound.
That gave the Hoops the encouragement they needed and, as they stepped up their attacking intent, Sevenoaks began to look rattled for the first time. But, without top scorer Sam Wilson, Deal were unable to convert their pressure into further goals and Sevenoaks held on for a victory which at one stage had seemed likely to be much more straightforward than it turned out.
Deal manager Derek Hares said: “We didn’t really get into it for the first 20 minutes or so and once they went 2-0 up it was always going to be difficult.
“I thought they dominated the first half to be fair but I thought we produced a great response in the second half and you could tell by their reaction at the end what a big win they thought it was, which just shows how far we’ve come.”
Deal: Tonkin, Hark, D Smith (Brisley 60), Hill, K Smith, Scott, Miller, Adams, Coyne, Alexander (Zureiqi 60), Foster (Philpott 75).
Attendance: 125
6 Responses
Got to admit,that when the team were 2-0 down after the first ten minutes,I envisaged a cricket score!
All credit to them,for rolling their sleeves up and battling to keep the score the same at half time. A much better performance in the 2nd half,considering the numbers missing due to injuries and suspension. 🙂
Hopefully,with some of them returning for next week,lets hope for a good result for the away game in the Vase.
(2nd round PROPER not QUALIFYING! 😉 )
Although I missed the game the twitter updates were fantastic and the second half performance shows how the players have improved. Just read the Non League paper and a good write up.
Too come back into the game and put the Oaks under pressure maybe they can feel a bit disappointed.
We even had someone visiting from Germany.
It’s a good time for the club and onto the F A Vase.
So many good memories in this competition for me that I relive constantly.
Can’t guarantee I can get there but who knows strange things happen.
It’s a long trip but not up North.
I wish Del and Steven all the best as they prepare for the game.
The lads I’m sure are already thinking about the game and I hope they do coz it will take away any nerves.
But they have nothing to lose and boy everything to gain.
A result down there would be massive.
Remember dreams come true us Deal Town nuts as we were called back then lived the dream.
It can happen again a huge ask but not unachievable.
It was the lads celebration when the third goal went in that makes me believe that it can.
COME ON DEAL.!!!!
Oops slight error there.
The 3rd goal up at Balham FC. (brilliant)
Great message Steve, hope you can make it on Saturday, Kev.
Also I made an error in our team line-up at the end of the match report. Vinny Philpott came on for Alfie Foster, not Dan Adams
Don’t worry Kev in we all make mistakes.
It’s great to get updates on twitter and must be so difficult
Everyone does an amazing job.
Come on Deal.!!!!