Hoops manager Derek Hares was still in positive mood after
watching Wells put a dent in Deal’s impressive home record.
Breakaway goals from Jason Thompson and Ryan Cheek meant that Wells became only
the second side to win at the Charles Ground this season but Hares said:
“Although they caught us on the hop a couple of times I was really pleased with
the performance and if we play like that every week we’ll win more games than
we lose.
“Tunbridge Wells are a big, physical side but there was very little in it
and I don’t think they could have any complaints if it had finished 2-2.”
On a wet, sticky pitch the Hoops were still able to string plenty of sharp
passing movements together while Ben Cardwell and man-of-the-match Ben Chapman
posed a constant threat with their pacy runs, but Deal were denied more than
one goal by some determined defending and when Wells had the chance to break
they did so effectively.
Deal started the contest on the front foot and skipper Luke Bigginton tested
Wells ‘keeper Simon Overland with an early 20-yard volley, but the Hoops were
then caught short of numbers at the back with 14 minutes gone and paid the
penalty when Thompson finished off Josh Froggatt’s cross.
That goal helped to settle Wells who, after leading the table in the early
weeks of the season, had won only once in their previous seven matches but Deal
continued to give as good as they got and they were rewarded with an equaliser
four minutes before the break. Fittingly, it was provided by their two “danger
men”, with Chapman skipping past one defender before pulling the ball back for
Cardwell to score.
Wells, however, made a much better start to the second half compared to the
opening period and they regained the lead in the 57th minute with a goal
similar to their first. Again Froggatt broke clear down Deal’s left flank and
although ‘keeper James Tonkin blocked Thompson’s close-range effort, Ryan Cheek
reacted quickest to force home the loose ball.
Then, within the space of seven minutes, referee Aaron Conn made two decisions
which Hares felt crucially effected the final outcome. First he waved away Deal
claims for a penalty for a foul on Chapman after the midfielder had again
weaved his way into the box, and then midway through the half the Hoops were
reduced to 10 when Biggington was shown a straight card for a robust touchline
tackle on Wells substitute Danny Powell.
Hares claimed a yellow card would have been a fairer punishment to add to the
five other yellows that the referee also issued during the game, and “Biggy’s”
departure meant Deal were left to play the last 20 minutes a player short and
on a heavy, tiring pitch.
But again the Deal manager praised the way his side stuck to their task and
managed to “carve out a few more half chances” before Thompson almost put an
unfair gloss on the final scoreline when he hit the Hoops woodwork in injury
time.
Deal: Tonkin, Hark, Penny (O’Brien 88), Foster, Biggington, Munday (Maughan
79), Chapman, Murray, Coyne (Lewis 79), Walsh, Cardwell.
Attendance: 201
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ITS AN AWAY DAY FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF THE FA VASE
BREAKING NEWS We have been drawn AWAY to Bridgwater United FC in the 5th Round of The FA Vase. The tie will be played at 3pm on
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Cannot fault the team for the effort they put up against the opposition. Although down to ten men, they certainly gave it a go in the last quarter and on a better day,could have snatched a draw.
“Bigger fish to fry” next weekend ! 🙂
Here’s hoping for a good crowd, a fully fit team on the day, no sendings off(!) and a win to earn them a place in the next round(and some much needed Wonga!) 😉
At half time the talk around the ground was about the persistent fouling by Tunbridge Wells. The second half proved to be no different with Chapman being fouled every time on the attack. The referee giving only free kicks until later in the game. But good to see the effort as we battled to the end.