Deal Town FC

Deal Town played Cobham Football Club on 30th August 2025 in the FA Cup. Deal Town won two - nil against Cobham at the Charles Ground. The Deal goals came from Alex Green and Ife Oni.

Deal Town progressed to the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, for the first time in 10 years, as they comfortably dispatched Combined Counties side Cobham; ironically by the same score-line when the sides met in The FA Vase in 2024.

Following Bank Holiday Monday’s victory over Herne Bay, Manager Steve King was forced to replace Jacob Strouts (cup-tied) and Macca Murray (injury); in stepped Zak Hammond and Jack Palmby, respectively, to fill those voids. There was also a call-up to the bench for U23s defender Dan Gannon. Prior to kick-off, the club marked the passing of supporter Barry O’Brien with a minute of silence.

It was Esumobi who gave Deal their threat in the first quarter; always looking liveliest to win possession and challenge aerially for flick-ons. And it was Esumobi who created the first real opening of the game (7’) as he picked up a lose-long ball from Smith to attack down the right-hand side and into the penalty area. The two combined soon-after (11’) but in reverse this time, with Smith racing down the left and casually crossing for Esumobi to head the ball across the goal, grazing the base of Cawdron’s goal.

King was called on to make an early, and enforced change, as Smith pulled up on the halfway line (19’); Miller coming on in his place to pose problems of the visiting defence, and he quickly done just that. Esumobi with another of his flicks on which put Miller in behind Alexiou and co., only to see his audacious chip over Cawdron go agonisingly wide (21’). Miller was again involved in the next action as he appeared to handle the ball with his arm in the visitors penalty area (23’); with the referee dismissing Cobham’s claims, the Cobham management soon voiced their opinions to match referee Krystian Kaczala.

Soon after and Deal had half-hearted claims of a penalty (26’). Wilkinson diving in between defenders before delivering a inviting delivery across the face of goal. Chapman appeared to nip in quicker than the defender and clipped, but the claims were quickly dismissed by Kaczala.

With the wind causing issues all over the pitch, it was Cawdron’s kicking which was most impacted. Paxman benefited from one (33’) as he capitalised on one goal-kick, picking up some wayward strike and bombing forward on the left. A dainty, reversed cross found Wilkinson whose shot just missed the post. Deal were on top for the majority of the game, let-alone the half, and arguably the best passage of play came not long after. Play developing from our own half, Hammond and Wilkinson combined on the right before sending the ball across to the other side of the area; Green picked up the pieces to deliver it back in but the attack come to nothing, albeit the Charles Ground faithful appreciating the move.

Cobham did have the occasional attack; Murray (not our Pirlo) managing to push the ball past Green, before whipping a testing delivery into danger (39’). Hammond managed to get something on it prior to Tonks collecting possession. The half soon came to a close, not before the referee felt it time to give Hayford a stern reminder of who was in charge (45’+3); following half-hearted cries of a Cobham penalty.

HALF TIME: DEAL TOWN 0 – 0 COBHAM

Following a £280 win being claimed on the 50/50, the two teams came out following the break and were underway at 16:10. The first attempt of the half falling to the visitors (47’) albeit the final shot ending very high, very wide, and nothing very handsome about it. Not to be out-done, Wilkinson tried breaking the deadlock himself; plucking the ball out of the air near the scoreboard, he cut inside and created an angle to only see his shot take a slight deflection on the way past Cawdron’s goal (49’). Certainly a more attractive offer than his counterpart. The resulting corner was duplicated in quick succession, before Miller sent the ball in only for Green to put his header wide too (51’).

The Hoops’ faithful could feel something brewing and it certainly wasn’t long before they had something to cheer. With Miller using his body well, getting ahead of the defender, he felt the nudge in the back and went to ground (55’); penalty awarded by Assistant Referee Matthew Jackson, supported by Kaczala. The Cobham captain, Alexiou, also collecting the game’s first yellow card for his troubles. Up stepped Esumobi; his tame effort comfortably saved by the ‘keeper. A unfortunately negative in what was a lively showing from the 6ft+ forward.

Another 14 minutes passed before Deal eventually hit the net, and a finish well worth the wait. Having collected the loose ball in the Cobham penalty area, Green pirouetted and smashed home a thunderous strike which sailed through a body of players (69’). Finally, we managed to open the scoring and settle some nerves. The goal invoked changes for the Surrey-side, but also for King; Esumobi and Wilkinson making way for Hennessey and Oni (71’).

And it was the two substitutes who combined to double Deal’s lead. Hennessey working hard on the left-side of the penalty area before sending a deep cross to the back post; in stooped Oni to head the ball into the ‘keeper, who could only parry the header into the side netting (77’). Fantastic impact from the two super-subs.

In honesty, there’s little to report on the final ten minutes, other than a couple of scrappy moments involving Niblett and Paxman with the opposition and a quadruple sub from Lewington’s side. King’s men battled hard and controlled for large parts, rightly earning their place in the hat for the next round. A professional performance in front of the 619 strong faithful.

FULL-TIME: DEAL TOWN 2-0 COBHAM

On the performance, King had this to say:

Really pleased with the win and the clean sheet. Not an easy one but the boys stepped up well and we are delighted to have reached the 2nd Qualifying round for the first time in ten years. It’s not been an easy start to the season but, with the win on Monday and today, we are really pleased and now looking forward to the draw on Monday.

Deal’s man of the match, sponsored by Perrys (Dover Ford) was selected as Alex Green.

The draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round will be released at 1pm on Monday.

#COYH