18 September 2021

Deal Town                            2          Paxman 51, Howard 90

Erith and Belvedere          1          Rooney 15

SEASIDERS DEAL DERES FIRST LEAGUE DEFEAT

Erith and Belvedere came back empty handed from Deal after an exciting game which suggested both sides could be in the promotion race this season.  It was the Deres’ first league defeat of the campaign but came after a thrilling start.

Luke Rooney had long been a target for the club after impressive performances against them for Beckenham in previous seasons, and he made an instant impact on his debut with a screamer from outside the box in the 15th minute, a very satisfying rattling noise as the ball hit the net.

Before that Ollie Bate and Henry Dasofunjo had had promising chances, and on 19 minutes Bate did well to create space for a shot that went just wide, but despite an impressive opening from the visitors Deal came back into ti and looked dangerous by the break, Alfie Foster’s free-kick being well held by Rilwan Anibaba.

Six minutes into the second half Deal were level, as Jack Paxman robbed a defender and fired home.  Deres nearly replied five minutes later as Bate headed wide from Dasofunjo’s cross.

Midway through the half Deal were threatening, and Troy Howard came closest with a shot that just missed the left upright.  Yet Bate was having a stormer, full of energy, and within a minute he set up Keanan Allassani for a shot that was tipped over by James Tonkin and then had his own shot cleared off the line in a goalmouth scramble.

As the match drew to a close Deres manager Danny Murphy was heard to say “we’ll do well to get away from here with a point”.  Sure enough, what he feared came to pass as Troy Howard poached a winner in the third minute of stoppage time.  Not many will come away from the Charles Sports Ground with a point this season.

DEAL: James Tonkin; Max Niblett, Liam Hark, Alfie foster, Kane Smith, Billy Munday, Jack Paxman, Macaulay Murray (Joe Reeves 85), Sam Wilson, Ben Chapman, Troy Howard.  Subs: Jack Penny, John Brayne, Kieron Hollier, Rene Rivera.

DERES: Oliver Pain; Vinnie Medhurst, Marlon Patterson, Drew Allassani, Calum McGeehan (Danny Patterson 82), Reece Barrett, Ashley Carew (Keanan Allassani 48), Luke Rooney, Benga Ogunseye (Calum Willock 71), Ollie Bate, Henry Dasofunjo.  Subs: Louis Sprosen, Max Pell.