Hoops
manager Derek Hares readily admitted that Saturday’s victory over AFC Croydon
was one of his side’s less impressive performances of recent weeks.
After watching Deal register their fourth win in their last five matches Hares
said: “I don’t think we played particularly well in the first half and the last
20 minutes were hard work for us as well, but the boys kept going and managed
to dig out the result.”
On a bobbly surface which made crisp, accurate
passing difficult for both teams, Croydon started the sharper and could have
taken the lead after just three minutes but Umaro Alpha saw his shot strike the
inside of a post.
And for the opening 15 minutes the Hoops
continued to look lethargic only to snatch the lead when Billy Munday
powerfully headed home Jack Penny’s corner.
That helped to settle Hares’ men a little but
they still needed some stout defending from Alfie Foster and Lee Scott to keep
Croydon at bay before adding a disputed second goal just before the half hour
mark. Croydon claimed that Connor Coyne should have been penalised for his
challenge on Liam Coates in the build-up, but referee Ryan Chantril-Smith waved
“play on” and Ben Chapman coolly picked his spot from Coyne’s through-ball.
Although Foster then drew a fine save from
Croydon ‘keeper Nic Taylor, the Hoops were somewhat fortunate to reach
half-time with a two-goal advantage, and three minutes after the restart it
needed a tremendous goalline clearance by Liam Hark from Coates’ header to
preserve that lead.
Still Croydon continued to show plenty of
spirit but when Alpha failed to capitalise on a misunderstanding in the Hoops
defence it looked like Deal were going to chalk up another three points, and
Hark almost rounded off his stand-out individual display by striking the
woodwork midway through the half.
But Croydon finally got the goal their
efforts deserved seven minutes from time when substitute Emanuel Oloyede drove
the ball home low from the edge of the box, and the Hoops then had to endure a
nervy finish before clinching their third successive home win over the south
London side.
Hares added: “Croydon are a big, physical
side and I’m just pleased to have got the three points, especially after they
scored because then you are fearing the worst. It was a workmanlike performance
on our part, nothing more, but sometimes you’ve got to do that during the
course of a season.”
Deal: Tonkin, Hark, Penny, Scott, Foster,
Munday, Chapman, Murray, Coyne (Maughan 83), Alexander (O’Brien 76), Cardwell
(Howard 46).
Attendance: 124
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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