Deal Town FC

Deal Town played Hilltop on 05th August 2025 in the FA Cup. Deal Town won four - one against Hilltop in front of a crowd of 511 at the Charles Ground. The Deal goals came from Wes Hennessey, Rory Smith, Ashley Miller and Alex Smith.

Twice in two days we entertained the North London side, as we battled out once again for a place in the next round of The FA Cup; the winners at the Charles Ground earning the right to face either Crowborough Athletic or Punjab United, as they too fought in a replay.

Enforced into a change through injury, Wes Hennessey found himself in the starting XI following TC’s knock on Sunday. There was also a first start of the season for Max Niblett as he replaced Morgan Page at the back. The visitors were evident in some changes of their own, following their long and disjointed trip to the Charles Ground; some of the squad only joining moments prior to kick off. On the bench for Deal saw call ups for Penny, Callahan and Waymark. Esumobi missing out due to injury.

Paxman celebrating not only his 200th appearance for the Hoops but 200th start too and  he almost has something to shout about following referee Ben Marshall’s opening whistle. Within minute 01’, Deal earnt their first corner albeit R. Smith couldn’t convert the chance.

It was an action packed first period to the game; Hammond bursting through to test the rooftop tiles on the Mill Road housing (03’), cries from Hilltop for an early penalty (04’), Foster sending a header wide (06’) and positive wide exchanges between Paxman and Miller before allowing B. Chapman to find those same tiles (11’). This all prior to the game finding a dip in tempo as Hilltop were enforced into their first change on 15’; following a collision with R.Smith, Hassan in the Hilltop goal was soon heading for the medical room.

The replacement, well, did nothing to install any confidence in the 511 watching. His first goal kick being pelted straight towards Kingy and Co, for a Deal throw. Hennessey looked lively with the ball out left, working well to present Paxman with a strong opportunity for the first shot on goal (18’); ‘Pax’ was too busy seeing his name in stars as this was the third shot to be hit into ‘Row Z’. 

Continuing his involvement, Hennessey then spun his marker before being cynically brought to ground; the game’s first yellow card as Hilltop’s 8, Hussain Hussain became the recipient (21’). Coupled with some free kicks awarded to Deal, Hilltop losing their cool and referee Marshall soon found himself reminder captain Hussain (6) of his responsibilities. Doing his best to help Marshall referee the game, Hennessey presented an opportunity for the books to be balanced and subsequently earn himself a yellow card of his own (29’).

Paxman continued to throw ball after ball into the Hilltop area, and it almost paid off. As Foster flicked on and won another corner, the resulting goal kick was poorly distributed which saw Miller pounce on the ball. Sadly his guided shot was only heading for the advertising board in close proximity to the wrong side of the post (36’).

Hilltop did decide to attack later in the half and forced their way into the Deal area to earn a corner of their own (39’). Following so unsavoury exchanges and rebukes all round, the corner was delivered and wasted. The entertainment began to start just before half time, however. Assoweh for Hilltop catapulting himself to ground under no pressure, was more akin to an Olympic Diver gunning for gold off the top diving board; his reward, a yellow card, which was also followed swiftly for Mahdi following his over excitable questioning (44’).

As the game began heading towards half-time, seven minutes were added. Not long after some ironic cheers relating to Hilltop’s goalkeeper’s inability to play the ball to any of his team mates, did Deal take advantage. Eventually the ball was manipulated into the penalty area and Hennessey was there to cushion a header into the corner (45’+7). Late goals in additional time clearly the memo of the Round!

With only time for kick off to be taken, the half time whistle went.

HT: Deal Town 1 - 0 Hilltop

No sooner had the half-time Krombacher settled, and Rory Smith opening his account for the season. Hennessey with a great cross field ball to the opposite side of the penalty area, for Smith to send his header towards goal and away from the ‘keeper (48’). 2-0.

Oni soon came on for Smith (52’) before Page replaced Green (56’). Tonkin remained largely untroubled for the evening but continued to remain alert, as he did on the hour mark to take possession (60’). 

Miller soon made it three, starting and finishing an interchange with Paxman on the penalty area line (63’) although Hilltop continued their dogged drive which played well for them on Sunday. Following Palmby’s introduction for Hennessey (65’), Hilltop began enjoying some possession; and it was rewarded. Following some confident interplay, the visitors struck from the edge of the area, past Tonkin and they pulled one back (69’).

No sooner could it have been a second for Hilltop with a strike (71’) but we shifted the ball down the other end and Miller won another free kick, dangerously close to being a penalty. Up steps the Deal Pirlo only for the free kick to be parried away to safety (73’).

The technical area for Hilltop remained loud, vociferous and boisterous, continually disagreeing with the decisions and actions for the referee. The Deal boys ground deep to battle through, with small chances not forthcoming. A flutter of cautions for Hilltop at this point before Alex Smith (90+7) finished proceedings.

An encouraging performance which is now rewarded with a trip to Crowborough Athletic on the 16th August, following their 3-2 victory over Punjab United on Tuesday evening too. But first, the small matter of Sittingbourne on Saturday!

The Perrys (Dover Ford) Man of the Match, as selected by supporters Andy Smith & Stephen King, was Ashley Miller.