Staplehurst Monarchs United 1 Deal Town 3

Match 73/21/1937 - Wednesday, 15th December 2021 - SCEFL Challege Cup 2R

Staplehurst Monarchs United (0) 1 82
Deal Town (2) 3 Coyne 7 Munday 45 OG 63
Attendance: 92

Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 2/4,066

I was made up to have a SCEFL side 10 minutes walk from my front door. Staplehurst will never be the club that I support match to match, but when the fixture list allows, the Jubilee Sports Ground is a welcoming visit. But for how long will they want me to visit? So far, I’ve seen three home games and one away and, as yet, they haven’t managed even a draw, despite prior to this game, having been on a five game unbeaten run. A mitigating factor is that I’ve seen them play Chatham and Deal from the SCEFL Premier and Larkfield and New Hythe, expected to be among the front runners in Division One.

On a pleasantly mild evening, Deal Town exercised their higher status and completely dominated the first 45 minutes. The lack of team details via either a white board or a team sheet means that apart from the goal scorers, events will go unnamed.

From the outset, Deal were on the front foot, a header from a corner narrowly wide on two minutes; the post hit after four, so it was no surprise when, after seven minutes, they went in front following a cross from the left that was headed on for Connor Coyne to touch home from close range.

Five minutes later, the visitors saw an effort come back from the underside of the bar and moments later, Steve Lawrence, the Staplehurst goalkeeper made the first of many good saves. The first half progressed without the Monarchs having a meaningful effort on goal, but their resilience at the back was to be admired but, in time added, Deal added a second when a cross from the right was met with a volley from Billy Munday to sent the East Kent side into the break with a two goal lead.

The second half’s momentum didn’t change and after 63 minutes, this Challenge Cup Second Round tie was put to bed in somewhat unfortunate manner for Staplehurst as Lawrence’s save rebounded off a defender into his net.

Deal, perhaps, went in coasting mode and Staplehurst took advantage to pull a goal back eight minutes from time with a header following a free kick.

Staplehurst are a club on the rise, a FIFA Approved Surface (as 3G/4G now needs to be referred to) is a possibility for next season and its status as a community club with age groups from five years old through to veterans is well received in the village. Most attendances at the Jubilee this season have been 100-plus although for this game it fell just short of three figures, but it shows that the support at this level is there for the club to continue to grow.