Yet another Emirates FA Cup disappointment for a Brickies side who promised so much after the excellent performance against Harlow Town on Tuesday night.
Sittingbourne’s poor form against lower league sides continued and in truth after conceding a penalty which was converted in the first minute, they never looked like getting anything from this game.
The only crumb of comfort for the Brickies was that they did have the ball in the Deal net twice, but both efforts were ruled out for offside, also Andrew Drury hit a post, two Lex Allan shots were kicked off the line and Johan Caney-Bryan fired the ball over the bar from about twelve yards out.
This was Deal Town’s first victory over the Brickies in the FA cup at the 7th attempt (the last FA cup match between these two sides was in the 1966/66 season), and they got on course for it in the first minute when Billy Munday was tripped in the area and Macaulay Murray gave Brickies keeper Jordan Perrin no chance from the spot.
Sittingbourne were rocked by this early setback and Deal went on the offensive and almost doubled their lead but Ben Chapman failed to connect with the ball whilst in a good position.
Most of Deals play was coming from the right where Troy Howard in particular was causing all sorts of trouble. Jack Paxman too was a danger man and his cross on 7 minutes was inviting but again no one connected with the ball.
Sittingbourne’s first effort came on 14 minutes when Lex Allan headed over the bar, then Ryan Palmer had a good effort that Deal’s keeper James Tonkin turned round a post for a corner. From the corner the ball was headed goal-wards but then kicked off the goal line.
Sittingbourne’s liveliest forward was Kane Rowland whose physical presence wasn’t appreciated by the Deal players. Rowland looked to be through on goal in the 18th minute until a last ditch challenge ended in the ball being kicked off of his toe.
After this brief flurry by the Brickies things looked a bit better but that optimism was dashed a minute later when a snap shot from just outside the area by Ben Chapman was well placed by the Deal striker and Deal were 2 goals to the good.
Things briefly looked up for the Brickies when Andy Drury had a shot from just outside the area but the ball hit a post and rebounded to safety. Once again any elation from this was swiftly dampened when with 4 minutes to go to half time Jack Paxman took advantage from yet another dangerous cross from the right and fired the ball past Perrin for number 3.
Sittingbourne started the second half brightly and Lex Allan had a shot kicked off the line and then a Rowland surge forward was cut short after a foul by Kane Smith leading to a free kick just outside the Deal area. Conrad Lee took the kick which brought out a spectacular diving save by Tonkin. Rowland then had the ball in the net but the “goal” was ruled out for offside. Then the usually dependable Johan Caney-Bryan was presented with a great chance from a cross by the hardworking Enoch Adjei but with the goal at his mercy he fired over the bar.
Deal put the result beyond any doubt on 59 minutes when a Drury foul led to a free kick just inside the Brickies half. The ball was looped to just inside the area and Kane Smith was able to head the ball past Perrin for Deal’s fourth.
Vance Bola joined the fray on 62 minutes and he put some urgency in the attack having some good runs.
Deal had the wind at their backs in the first half and made good use of it but it was noticeable that with the wind behind their backs in the second half Sittingbourne were finding it more of a curse than a blessing with the ball running away at times.
With 10 minutes to go Conrad Lee had another free kick but it was an easy take for the keeper, but two minutes later Bola’s persistence paid off with a shot that Tonkin could only palm out and Rowland was on hand to kick the ball over the line for a consolation goal for the Brickies.
So a disappointing start for Darren Blackburn for his first competitive game in charge of the team. It was clear that Deal having a couple of competitive league games behind them was a real asset for them but in the end, as the score suggests, they were worthy winners.
Deal Town: James Tonkin (Yellow), Liam Hark, Jack Penny, Alfie F Foster, Kane Smith (Connor Coyne), Billy Munday, Jack Paxman, Macauly Murray (Brad Baker ) , Ben Cardwell (Toby Greenfield), Ben Chapman, Troy Howard.
Subs not used: Luke Eldridge, Harry Alexander, Kieron Jones, Lee Scott.
Sittingbourne: Jordan Perrin, Daniel Stubbs (Salvyn Kisitu 46 mins), Conrad Lee (Yellow), George Monger (Freeman Rogers 77 mins), Lex Allan, Cory Walters-Wright, Enoch Adjei, Andy Drury (Yellow), Kane Rowland (Yellow), Johan Caney-Bryan (Vance Bola 62 mins), Ryan Palmer.
Subs not used: Sam Flisher, Harry Miller