Deal Town FC

9th February 2026

U13s vs DULWICH

Our U13s stormed back from a shaky start, and an early two goal deficit, to book their place in the Kent Youth League cup final on Sunday.

After the recent heavy rain, put pay to any hopes of playing at the Charles Ground, the team were grateful to fixture secretary extraordinaire Louise King for pulling the strings and getting the game ahead on the 3G pitch at Folkestone Invicta.

With Dulwich sitting in the top 4 of the North division, the team were fully expecting a tough game; they were on the back foot inside five minutes, as a long ball released the speedy Dulwich striker. The striker managed to create the room to fire in a shot, that deflected off Laval-Chesterton, and looped over goalkeeper Fyfe (standing in for the unfortunate Johnson) to give the visitors an early advantage.

Deal looked to have dealt with the initial setback well as they threatened an immediate equaliser.  Styles' inswinging corner grazed the top of the crossbar, before King’s corner from the opposite side somehow evaded four Deal attackers.

The away side were proving difficult to contain and, with only fifteen minutes on the clock, a moment of indecisiveness at the back saw the ball loop invitingly across the Deal box and the winger was in acres of space to smash the ball home.

At this point it would have been easy for the team to let their heads go down, as they are so often used to being ahead in games, but in another sign of their growing maturity they remained calm and found a way to get a foothold in the game; the next goal was absolutely crucial. Laval-Chesterton almost halved the deficit immediately, as he headed a Styles corner over from close range, but it wasn’t long before the home side pulled a goal back.

A throw in down the line was flicked on by King to Thomas, who drew in the defender, before squaring it the unmarked Styles who waited for the ball to roll across him before lashing home with his left foot. Deal had their tails up and were all of a sudden first to every ball, pressing higher up the pitch and winning the ball back with regularity.

From one of these occasions Deane and Styles did brilliantly to win the ball back and draw a foul near the corner flag. The Dulwich defence and keeper had looked susceptible at set pieces throughout the first half; King took full advantage as he whipped in an effort at the near post and the the goalkeeper could only push the ball high into the net.

With parity restored, Deal needed to see the game through to half time to re-set; they were grateful to Fyfe, who got down well at his near post to deny a goal bound effort after a corner was only half cleared.

HT 2-2

Deal emerged with the same XI for the second half and, having wrestled their way back into the game, they very quickly seized control of it with two quick fire goals. King and Talling worked tirelessly to win the ball back in midfield. The latter clipped an early ball in behind for Deane to chase and, despite looking second best, he nipped in and prodded the ball goalwards before chasing his own touch. Winning the race with the retreating goalkeeper, Deane got in front to force the ball home.

The second half was only ten minutes old when the same player doubled his tally, and Deal’s advantage, following the best period of football the hosts produced all game. A throw-in deep in their own half saw Beeden, Husk and Laval-Chesterton combine neatly to draw Dulwich in before switching the play to Smith on the left. Smith pushed forward and then chipped a delightful ball into the left channel for Deane to chase and, as the goalkeeper charged out of his goal again, he gave the striker the opening to slot the ball into the far corner.

Deal were now on top and were showing their strength, as they continued to fly into tackles and regain possession. Dulwich in turn responded by chasing the game, sending on two attackers and pushing bodies forward, however this started to leave more gaps at the back for the home side to exploit. A Beeden clearance released Deane in on goal with a chance for his hattrick but this time the goalkeeper narrowed the angle well and pushed his effort behind for a corner.

The striker was not denied for long though as Dulwich’s weakness from corners was exposed again; Styles whipping the ball into to the near post where the goalkeeper dropped the ball and, despite it looking as though it had already crossed the line. Deane was on hand to nod the ball home.

Despite the game looking as though it was done-and-dusted, Dulwich continued to press forward; they almost pulled a goal back immediately, as the speedy winger zipped down the left before clipping a cross that the tall striker could only head over when he should really have done better.

The game had been played in a good spirit up until this point, but it threatened to boil over as Thomas was pulled back after a strong run down the right was brought to a halt. The offending full-back then proceeded to create a fracas, eventually talk his way into the referees book and was sin binned for eight minutes.

Deal took full advantage of the extra player as another corner caused chaos in the Dulwich box, allowing Deane to nod home his fourth of the game and put the game beyond doubt. 

A fantastic turnaround from the team after a tough stay to the match, and a brilliant achievement for the boys and management team to reach a cup final in their first season in the Kent Youth League.

⚽️ Deane 4, Styles, King

This means that the U13s will be playing at Maidstone United on the 12th March, 7.45pm kick off. It would be great to get as many Hoops supporters there as possible, to get behind the boys!

ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Cray Wanderes 3-0
Sutton Athletic 3-2
Dartford 6-0
Fisher 1-1 (won on penalties)
Dulwich 6-2

U14s vs ASHFORD UNITED

Our Under 14s travelled to unbeaten Ashford United this Sunday; a team who top the U14 East division. The boys, on the back of a point last time out away to Whitstable, were full of confidence to try and get a result.

Deal started the game brightly moving the ball around nicely and holding their shape to limit Ashford to few chances early doors. Frampton, who started the game up top, was setting the tone by defending from the front with Star-Rose picking up on any loose balls.

Midway through the first-half, Mackenzie-Frazer and Nixon combined down the right which allowed M-F to get the ball into the box for Frampton to turn and fire Deal ahead. With Deal leading 1-0, Groombridge (who had a great first half) and Parnell were winning lots of first and second balls; they started to grow in confidence, with Groombridge finding Mackenzie-Frazer out wide. M-F drove into the box and fired into the bottom left corner to double Deal's lead.

HT 2-0

The second half started with Ashford trying to find a way back into the game. They pushed and pushed to try and find a goal and eventually had the ball in the net, before being ruled out for offside. Deal's defence was solid with White, Strain, Winsbury and Nixon looking to keep their fourth consecutive clean sheet. With Hulks and Carley behind them, they managed to see out the second half to gain a well deserved victory.

All the squad put a shift in today, against a very good Ashford side who remain at the top of the division.

FT 2-0 

#COYH