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Bathgate spot-on as Deal return to semi-finals

Deal left it late to beat Tunbridge Wells and book their place in the Kent Senior Trophy semi-finals
Deal left it late to beat Tunbridge Wells and book their place in the Kent Senior Trophy semi-finals

Deal 2 Tunbridge Wells 0

Two late penalties from skipper Dave Bathgate carried Deal into the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Trophy for the second season in a row.

With little to choose between the sides throughout the 90 minutes as they battled against a sticky surface and strong wind, it was one of those games where one piece of skill or a mistake looked likely to settle the issue - and in the event an unnecessary handball by Wells midfielder Jason Barton did the trick.

There were only two minutes left when, with the game still goalless, Deal right-back Darren Waring knocked in an innocuous-looking cross which Barton - under no pressure - decided to cut out with his raised left arm.

Bathgate calmly tucked the ball past Mikelle Czanner, and then in injury time Deal were awarded another penalty after Jason Bourne tripped Jack Colins - and again Bathgate did the honours.

Deal had suffered an early blow when striker Mark Pollard had to be carried off with a knee injury and, after his replacement Scott Holden had missed a good opportunity, Wells - with Ross Cable skilfully linking their best passing moves - began to show why they are third in the Kent League table.

But Adam Govey and Josh Davidson were both solid at the heart of the Deal defence as the hosts held firm.

Deal: Rogers, Waring, Govey, Davidson, Ingram, Collins, Bathgate, Suter, Robinson, Pollard (Holden 18), Smith. Attendance: 100

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