Where to start? Rather unusually, I think the start point here is at the end and in the overwhelming sense of disappointment that the club felt collectively at what was a lacklustre bank holiday performance against a Herne Bay side with whom we know we can compete. That is meant with no disrespect to our opposition. Herne Bay played valiantly - with 10 men for 40 minutes of the game - and finished clinically. But there is a gnawing feeling that with a few bounces here or there and better execution this game could have ended differently. So, let’s get into it.

In front of a healthy crowd of 644 the game got off to a bit of a stop-start opening. The Herne Bay centre half was taken off injured within the first 5 minutes and with the referee setting an early stall out to give free kicks for even the barest of contact the precedent was set for a first half somewhat bereft of flow, with both teams finding it difficult to get into a rhythm. So it continued for the opening half an hour, a game played somewhat in the channels until a move either broke down or was prematurely stopped. Quality somewhat lacking I think it would be fair to say.

On the 30th minute, Herne Bay were awarded a penalty. The HB winger drove to the byline and was bought down by the Deal left back as he was looking to get a ball into the 6-yard box. Tonks, no stranger to a big penalty save, dived low to his right and kept out the Joe Taylor penalty and parried it out of harms way. Deal got away with one there and the scoreline remained 0-0 heading into half-time.

In contrast to the opening of the first half, it did not take long for the second half to provide some fireworks. On 47 minutes the referee showed the Herne Bay manager (Ben Smith) a yellow card for what was assumedly dissent. With the ref turning his back to continue the match, the Herne Bay manager commented again & was booked for the second time in 20 seconds and received his marching orders form the referee. An extraordinary outburst that saw the Herne Bay dugout a little lighter.   

Not ten minutes later, in the 55th minute Ben Gorham was sent to join his manager in the changing rooms. An elbow to the face of Tom Chapman was spotted by the referee and a red card immediately brandished. At this stage with HB down to 10 men and without a manager on the sideline it was all to play for. In the subsequent moments Deal then had an effort flicked just over the bar from Paxman and were looking to get at Herne Bay. The next 5 minutes however, put paid to Deals ambitions.

On the 66th minute HB took the lead. Joe Taylor the first to react after a deflected cross from the left had looped over the Deal goalkeeper onto the bar and fell into the middle of the 6-yard box. 0-1 to HB. The second for Herne Bay followed shortly thereafter, Emmanuel Robe driving between at the heart of the Deal defence to finish well into the far corner. From looking at ways to win this game, Deal were now doing their best to hold on. 0-2 to HB. A lifeline came in the 76th minute, Deal being awarded a penalty for handball in the box. Owen Wilkinson stepped up to take the spot kick and confidently slotted it home, 1-2 to Herne Bay heading into the last 15 minutes of play.

With the game on the line and all to play for I do have one observation to make that may prove controversial, but I mean it with the best intentions. The Charles Ground is quiet, too quiet. The boisterous away support that Herne Bay brought with them were loud and vociferous in their support for their players and carried our opponents in their difficult moments. We as fans need to combat this and get behind the team as loudly as we can when we are playing at home in front of 550+ home supporters. Bang a few boards, chant a few songs, shout a few “come on Deal’s”, just show your support to the lads in a way that can be heard and not drowned out. Our home has been our fortress and I for one would love to see it become so again. Anyway, answers on a postcard please, I expect some reaction here.

Back to the game. With time running down Deal were caught short passing between each other on the halfway line, searching for an angle to get the ball forward. The ball was intercepted and moved to the right winger Robe, who once again demonstrated his powerful, direct running to get outside the deal defender and bury the ball confidently at the near post. The final result Deal Town 1 – 3 Herne Bay.

We move on now into a run of September fixtures that include 5 home games in a row. Let’s take this opportunity to get behind the boys and get some positive results.

COME ON YOU HOOPS!

Words by Zack Foulds