Deal Town FC

12th October 2025

U13s: FOLKESTONE INVICTA 0-8 DEAL TOWN 
Kent Youth League - AWAY

Deal Town U13s took all three points at Three Hills, with an emphatic display of clinical finishing, backed up by a disciplined showing on the ball. On what seemed like a massive pitch, Deal used the ball efficiently from the kick off, pinning their opponents in their own half with a high aggressive press to take control of the game. Folkestone very briefly escaped down the left wing, and looked to have a strong physical threat in that area, but it was soon snuffed out by Beeden and Laval-Chesterton at the heart of the defence. In reality that was the home side’s last attempt near goal as Johnson had one of his easier days in goal, and the attack set about winning the game early. 

Deane was in fine form in attack as he latched onto a Smith shot from long range which was initially saved by the keeper,  finishing sharply for the first goal. He quickly made that two after getting across his marker to meet a dangerous Stennett cross, blasting high into the net at the near post. Deane then turned provider for Smith whose fierce shot was too much for the keeper as it wriggled over the line during his attempt to clear. Folkestone were failing to stop the blue tide of Deal, resplendent in their sky blue away kit today, as more pressure was heaped on Invicta.

Deane had his hat-trick within 10 minutes after receiving a short through ball from King and finishing neatly into the bottom corner. The final goal of the half had an air of inevitably to it as Stennett put in another fine cross/shot from the right wing that beat the keeper for height. Styles was on hand at the far post to make sure by smashing home from close range. The scoreline did not flatter the hoops as some excellent ball winning in midfield by Waitt, Talling and Husk set up attack after attack. 

HT 0-5

Deal came out in the second half appearing more patient with the ball. Slower build up play was engineered by the back line of Beeden and Laval-Chesterton , and Vranoci was given his first taste of KYL football on the left side of defence. Ledger was looking lively in the midfield and started breaking lines to set up more chances on goal. Linkins did well after a through ball set him free. He held off the centre back well and got a good shot off but the keeper managed to save. 

It took Deal a while to find the next goal, but when it came, the floodgates opened up again. Thomas was wreaking havoc down the left and whipped in a cross that King finished first time from close range. Deane again got on the scoresheet after good work from Styles on the right, cutting in and finding the striker in red hot form. His first shot was well saved by the Invicta stopper, but the ball fell to Deane again who tidied up the rebound. The final goal was emblematic of how clinical Deal were today, as Ledger found Styles with a precise through ball to beat the back line, and Styles whipped a left foot shot into the bottom right corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. 

Some strong performances all over the pitch today. Beeden was seemingly everywhere, Styles looked very much in the mood and of course Deane’s efforts in front of goal gave Deal the platform to enjoy a thoroughly deserved victory. 

FT 0-8

⚽️ Deane 4, Smith, Styles 2, King
?️ Smith, Stennett 2, Deane, King, Thomas, Styles , Ledger

U14s: DEAL TOWN 2-5 SITTINGBOURNE

Kent Youth League - HOME

This weekend our U14s hosted Sittingbourne, at Baypoint. Sittingbourne, who have started the season well, came to the East coast looking to build on their good start. Deal started the game brightly working the ball quite well but were broken down on a counter attack which put Sittingbourne 1-0 up. This soon turned into 2-0 with a well taken penalty. Deal made a few subs and took control for a period, with Groombridge in the middle bringing composure and patience into the side. Groombridge working with Kalvaitis played a lovely through ball for Kalvaitus to slot home just before Half time to half the deficit.

Into the 2nd half Sittingbourne took control of the game and scored another couple of quick goals. Deal heads could have gone down but Mackenzie-Frazer and Stennett kept pushing the team forward. Turner-Dauncey smashed a free kick against the bar and, after a goal mouth scramble, Deal were awarded a penalty. Turner-Dauncey stood forward confidently and smashed the ball home and it was back to 4-2.

Deal looked to get back into the game and kept pushing but it wasn't to be their day Sittingbourne scoring again late to win the game 5-2. A few shout outs to White (who had a good game at the back), Mackenzie-Frazer (who worked hard the whole game) and Groombridge (for his composure).

U16s: CUXTON 91 0-5 DEAL TOWN

Kent Youth League, CUP - AWAY

The under 16s faced Cuxton for the 2nd time this season, but this time away in the League Cup. The first game being a close  1-0 victory in the league. Unfortunately the small school pitch in Rochester, resembling a recently well ploughed farm field, led to an ugly game for football for both sides.

Deal boys came out with a very high tempo from the first minute to the last. Each sub coming on to increase the tempo and pressure on Cuxton. It took Deal until 30th min to break the deadline after a creating 20 good opportunities. The goal eventually coming from Ben flicking a ball on to Edwin, who breezed past the last defender to score. 

Deal continued their first half pressure and early in the second half; Oscar smashed the ball past Cuxton's keeper after a great one-two pass with Sean on the edge of the box. Deal continued to rotate the subs which kept the pressure on Cuxton. Goals continued to come in from Ollie that worked the front line well all game and another goal for Edwin and Oscar to complete the 5 v 0 well deserved win. Fletcher also stood in goal.

U18s: DEAL TOWN 5–2 PHOENIX SPORTS

Kent Youth League, Premier Division - HOME

Deal Town U18s continued their strong start to the season with an impressive 5–2 home victory over Phoenix Sports. After last week’s 3–0 away win at Ashford, the young Hoops delivered another confident performance against previously unbeaten opponents.

Deal started brightly, dominating possession and creating several early chances, forcing the Phoenix goalkeeper into a number of good saves. However, against the run of play, the visitors took the lead with their first meaningful attack, a well-weighted through ball splitting the Deal defence and allowing the Phoenix striker to slot calmly past the advancing keeper.

The home side responded well, maintaining their composure and continuing to play their passing game. Their pressure was rewarded when Tom Smith rose highest to head home from a well-worked corner, bringing Deal level.

Moments later, a slick passing move saw Mekhi Deans-Kelly played through on goal, and he made no mistake, slotting past the keeper to make it 2–1. Deal soon extended their lead as Noah Slater drove into the box and delivered a superb lofted cross to the back post, where Smith was on hand again to nod home his second of the game for 3–1.

Just before half-time, Deal capitalised on a poor clearance from the Phoenix goalkeeper. Deans-Kelly collected the loose ball 25 yards out and, spotting the keeper off his line, curled a delightful effort into the net to make it 4–1 at the break.

Phoenix showed character in the second half and enjoyed spells of pressure, but Deal’s quality told once again when Jem Saldinho stepped up to curl a superbly placed free-kick into the top corner, sealing the victory at 5–1. The visitors managed a late consolation from a free-kick, but it wasn’t enough to spoil what was another excellent team performance from Deal Town U18s, who played some outstanding football throughout.

Deal Town Scorers: Tom Smith (2), Mekhi Deans-Kelly (2), Saldinho

SENIOR SIDES

The 1st team were victims to a strong Three Bridges performance on Saturday. A dominant first period saw Three Bridges control in large periods, taking a 2-0 lead prior to Jacob Strouts halfing the deficit for the Hoops just before half-time. As Strouts moved to an unconventional forward position in the second half, the Hoops troubled the Sussex side but could not get the equaliser, unfortunately conceeding a third for the game to finish 3-1. 

The Women's team were also unsuccessful, as they lost 4-2 to Biddenden, in the South East Counties Women's Football League. 

The U23s were victorious last Thursday evening; a visit to Lordswood resulted in a 3-1 victory for Rob Edward's side. Goals from Kaeden Jefferys, Bleu Potterton and Charlie Smith lifting the side to 4th in the table.