DEAL TOWN 1 WHITSTABLE TOWN 2
Pre-season friendly
Tuesday August 18 2020 19.45

Whitstable came from behind to win a competitive friendly at Deal thanks to second half goals from Charles Etumnu and Aaron Millbank, after Deal had opened the scoring in the first half following a bright start.

Deal Town had been in mid-table in the SCEFL Premier Division when last season ended prematurely, but have always been difficult opponents in recent years and Whitstable have had some memorable games against them.

Liam Gillies shot over following a long throw by Connor Sanders, but it was Deal that began the better of the two sides. Connor Coyne had a header saved by Dan Eason before his team took the lead in the 11th minute. Luke Girt passed the ball across his own penalty area as Whitstable tried to play out from the back, but it was intercepted by Ben Cardwell who slipped it past Eason. Gillies and Millbank had chances for Whitstable, whilst Cardwell and Jack Paxman sent shots wide at the other end. Jack Penny, the Deal left back, committed several fouls and eventually earned himself the game’s only yellow card. From one of the resulting free kicks in the 35th minute, Millbank had a firm shot parried by James Tonkin who then also saved from Sanders as he followed in. Deal led 1-0 at the break.

Deal had a couple of shots fly over the bar early in the second half and Ollie Gray clipped the top of the goal from a long range effort for Whitstable. In the 64th minute, Whitstable appealed for a penalty when Tijan Jadama was challenged in the box, but the referee was not impressed and then a Deal effort went just past the post. On 72 minutes Whitstable worked the ball into the Deal penalty area and both Millbank and Etumnu were met by strong challenges, but Etumnu managed to regain his balance, stay on his feet and find himself the space to shoot past Tonkin to equalise. Deal responded and Eason was called into action twice to ensure his team did not fall behind for a second time. It was Whitstable that scored the decisive goal on 83 minutes when a long throw by Sanders was hooked into the net by Millbank, although after the goal had been confirmed, it was pointed out that Whitstable actually had twelve players on the pitch, as Gray had not yet left the pitch following a double substitution moments earlier. After much amusement, Deal tried to find a late equaliser and one header flew over the bar, before Eason safely collected another. Whitstable sent on replacement goalkeeper Lewis Mitchell for the final couple of minutes and after a brief scare when he managed to gather a deep cross at the second attempt, the final whistle blew to confirm a 2-1 away win.

Whitstable now face three home friendlies against Isthmian Premier League opponents, Cray Wanderers, Margate and Folkestone Invicta.

Deal Town
James Tonkin, Liam Hark, Jack Penny, Alfie Foster, Kane Smith, Billy Munday, Jack Paxman, Ben Chapman, Connor Coyne, Luke Eldridge, Ben Cardwell.
Subs: Brad Baker, Macca Murray, Lee Scott, Luke Bigginton, Troy Howard, Kerion Jones, Sam Lawford.
Goal: Ben Cardwell 11
Yellow card: Jack Penny 42

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason (Lewis Mitchell 88), Ollie Gray (Callum Edwards 82), James Brown, Leo Mazzone (Charles Etumnu 61), Connor Sanders, Luke Girt (c), Tijan Jadama (Glen Bain 82), Liam Gillies (Dean James 77), Aaron Millbank, Liam King (Muhammed Cham 66), Jay Hards (Trialist 72).
Goals: Charles Etumnu 72, Aaron Millbank 83.

Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Nick Dunn
Assistants: Chris Cannon & Robin Smit