06/09/2026
MATCH REPORT: DEAL TOWN FC YOUTH 6-2 GILLINGHAM TOWN FC
Kent County League Division 2 Central & East | Saturday 5th September
First points on the board and what a way to do it! A dominant 6-2 victory over Gillingham Town FC, with Riley Kingsnorth grabbing a hat-trick and a top class performance from start to finish.
FIRST HALF
We started the brighter side but found ourselves behind on 7 minutes. Tom Myhill clearly won the ball with a great tackle, but the referee pointed to the spot. An incredibly harsh decision. Gillingham converted. 0-1.
The response was immediate. On 17 minutes, Myhill whipped in a lovely corner and Curtis Winnett headed home at the back post with the Gillingham keeper all at sea. 1-1.
On 37 minutes, Dom Crawford's ball appeared to force Riley Kingsnorth wide, but the forward squeezed it past the keeper from a tight angle to give us the lead. 2-1 at half-time.
SECOND HALF
We came out flying. Just three minutes in, Kingsnorth grabbed his second with a lovely volley inside the box from Rob Westbrook's lay off. 3-1.
Two minutes later, Sam Plant's excellent corner hit the inside of the back post and struck captain Curtis Winnett. He didn't know much about it but he certainly didn't care! 4-1.
On 51 minutes, Kingsnorth completed his hat-trick. Westbrook was bundled over and a penalty awarded. The keeper guessed right and made the save, but Kingsnorth smashed home the rebound. 5-1.
Gillingham were in real trouble with Deal in full flow.
On 72 minutes, a rare sloppy moment from us. An untidy throw in resulted in a quick turnover and the error was punished. 5-2.
On 89 minutes, Ben Heaver headed home Jake Manning's cross from a quick corner worked between Plant and Manning that caught Gillingham cold. Heaver's first goal of the season. 6-2!
MAN OF THE MATCH: SAM PLANT
Whilst Kingsnorth grabs the headlines with his hat-trick, it's Sam Plant who takes the Man of the Match award. Worked tirelessly all game, providing excellent cover for his team mates whilst running the midfield from an attacking perspective. Led by example and covered every blade of grass. Outstanding.
A word from the manager:
"Firstly it's great to finally get points on the board, even better that they came with a top class performance. There is no hiding that in our first three games we really haven't been at the races and simple errors had cost us. The message to the lads all week was to just keep doing what you do, believe in how we play and the quality we possess.
That character was tested early on with the penalty, but unlike the last few weeks the response was instant and ruthless. We were tested again on 25 minutes with Rob being sent to the sin bin, but the work rate was superb and you couldn't tell we were down to 10 men. Much more like us, still plenty more to come though!" 💪🤍🖤
Scorers:
Curtis Winnett (17', 44')
Riley Kingsnorth (37', 48', 51')
Ben Heaver (89')
Assists:
Tom Myhill (17')
Dom Crawford (37')
Rob Westbrook (48')
Sam Plant (44')
Jake Manning (89')
Substitutions:
Leon Nguyen on for Baily Perry (59')
Sam Hanson on for Ben Heaver (59')
Bailey Russell-Skardon on for Dom Crawford (64')
Seb Cook on for Joshua Stockley (68')
Jake Manning on for Ciro Allcock (68')
Ben Heaver on for Curtis Winnett (74')
Bookings:
Rob Westbrook (Sin Bin, 25')
Ben Heaver (Yellow, 39')
