Two goals from man-of-the-match Perry Cray earned Deal Reserves their second Kent County League “double” of the season at a foggy Charles Ground on Saturday.
Cray, who had also been on target in the Hoops’ 4-2 victory at Ashford in mid-October, put Deal in front with 15 minutes gone and then added what proved to be the decisive goal early in the second half.
Deal were on the front foot right from the start and Ryan Prescott saw his early effort tipped over by the Ashford keeper but soon after he was beaten by Cray’s clever chip.
And the hard-working midfielder then turned “provider” eight minutes later, cutting the ball back for Callum Orris to fire home off the inside of a post.
It looked plain sailing for the Hoops at this point, but they were caught out by a quick counter-attack just past the half hour mark and after Max Mannell’s “tap-in” goal Ashford were more of a threat up until half-time.
Cray, however, restored Deal’s two-goal lead on the 50-minute mark and although Ashford were given fresh hope by Charlie Cairns’ penalty midway through the half, the Hoops held on to record their fifth win of the season in Division Two Central & East.
Deal Reserves: Miller, Clark, Harrison, Jennings, Randall, North, Afuape, Carpenter, Prescott, Cray, Orris. Subs: Quested, Ware.
