Mead collapse to defeat against in-form Deal

THAMESMEAD TOWN 1 DEAL TOWN 3

By guest reporter Thomas Hawes

Thamesmead Town put in a second below par performance at Bayliss Avenue in the Kent Premier League, but this time they were beaten by a Deal Town side that has now won four out of their last six.

The encounter had started out fairly slow, with little action at either end during the opening quarter of the match.

However, the game sprung into life after 36 minutes when James Collins went on a mazy run on the right. The tall midfielder charged into the box before being barged over by Tyrone Sterling. Sterling really should have known better as the tricky winger was heading away from goal. Dave Bathgate kept his cool to tuck away the penalty to Sam Mills’ left.

Thamesmead rallied in the early periods of the second half without threatening the Deal goal and it was therefore no surprise when Deal doubled their lead on the hour mark. A hoisted free-kick into the Mead penalty area, was headed at Mills. Mills parried and a goalmouth scrambled ensued, but the ball eventually broke to Michael Cassar who fired the ball into the roof of the net from a yard out passed a helpless Mills.

Mead have an injury worry ahead of their Kent League Cup Semi-Final First Leg tie against Herne Bay on Thursday as Robbie Tarrant appeared to injure his calf after stumbling over on 64 minutes. Experienced defender Peter Deadman came on to replace Tarrant, but it looks as if Mead may have to do without the right-sided player on Thursday.

With 74 minutes on the clock, the home side had a glorious opportunity to pull a goal back to make for an exciting final quarter of an hour, but Ross Cable blasted over from 12 yards after Mead’s best move of the match.

To compound Thamesmead’s misery, Deal effectively ended the match on 78 minutes when Michael Cassar grabbed his second of the afternoon with a sweet side-footed half-volley from the edge of the area following a neat lay off by John Utterson.

There was enough time for Thamesmead to grab a consolation goal back to keep up their impressive record of scoring in every home league fixture of 2006/07. Rikki Cable was fouled in the penalty area and his brother Ross converted the penalty kick to make it 3-1.

Thamesmead must now turn their attention to Thursday’s crucial League Cup encounter with Herne Bay, who struggled to snatch a point against Erith Town on Saturday. The Mead then travel to Mile End Stadium, where they must surely pick up three points against the side they walloped 10-3 in August.

THAMESMEAD TOWN: Mills, Stewart (Kearley 71), Thomas (Ross Cable 69), Brown (capt.), Loveridge, Sterling, Tarrant (Deadman 64), Knight, Williams, Rikki Cable, Mulholland.

Attendance: 47

MATCH STATS

THAMESMEAD TOWN

Total Shots8

Shots on Target5

Shots off Target3

Shots in Area8

Shots outside Area0

Fouls Committed10

Corners4

Offsides7

Yellow Cards3

Red Cards 0

DEAL TOWN

Total Shots12

Shots on Target8

Shots off Target4

Shots in Area8

Shots outside Area4

Fouls Committed17

Corners4

Offsides7

Yellow Cards2

Red Cards0