Ben Chapman struck twice either side of half-time to earn the Hoops their first win of the season at Chislehurst on Saturday.

Coming after the FA Cup disappointment against Sutton Athletic it was just the result that Deal needed, with manager Derek Hares saying: “It was a great response after last weekend’s defeat. We thoroughly deserved to win against a good side thanks to a fine all-round team performance.”

There was little to choose between the teams during an evenly-contested first half but it was the Hoops who grabbed the lead just before the break. Connor Coyne sent Chapman clear and the midfielder outpaced one defender before rounding the Glebe ‘keeper to score.

The home side, who finished three places above Deal last season, came out at the start of the second half with all guns blazing but they were kept at bay by some determined Hoops defending and then, with 53 minutes gone, Deal were gifted their second goal. The Glebe goalie dropped a Steve O’Brien corner at the feet of Chapman who gratefully tapped the ball home into the unguarded net.

The Hoops then set about consolidating their two-goal advantage and, with ‘keeper James Tonkin again in fine form, duly recorded their first ever victory at Foxbury Avenue.

Deal: Tonkin, Alexander, Smith, Bigginton, Maughan, (Hark 82), O’Brien, Murray (Munday 66), Treadwell, Chapman, Coyne (Cardwell 69), Wilson.