Beckenham Town 2-1 Deal Town

Kent League Premier Division

BECKENHAM clinched victory with a last minute goal in this Kent League encounter at Eden Park Avenue, writes Ian Muir.

Despite taking a 37th minute lead Town allowed the visitors back into the game and as the contest spluttered to an end Ross Cable fashioned a brilliant winner.

It was Beckenham who looked the brighter side in the early exchanges as they closed the visitors down.

The match was never allowed to flow by the referee who constantly blew up for what appeared to be petty incidents without playing the advantage.

With the fitness and determination of both sides almost shrinking the pitch there was no time for pretty football as Town hit long balls down both flanks.

The first chance fell to Deal after seven minutes but an easy header was well saved by Chris Lewington in the Beckenham goal.

Minutes later Becks played themselves into trouble and only a last-ditch-tackle by McKenzie prevented a certain goal.

From the intervention Town mounted a counter attack and Smith found space on the right to cross to the unmarked Gallagher who stretched but could not connect with his head.

Again it was down the left flank as Cable who had been forced out wide put the ball into the path of Carew who was foiled by some quick thinking by a defender.

Minutes before the break another delivery was met by McDonnell only for his header to inch wide.

The second period got off to a flying start as Smith's header from a Carrew cross smashed against the crossbar.

Against the run of play a defensive error allowed Deal back into the game.

Beckenham then struggled to gain superiority and frustration boiled over for both sides and several players were cautioned in a stagnant 20 minute period.

With 15 minutes remaining on the clock a series of Town substitutions put a fresh spark into the match.

Town were now getting down both flanks with stand in centre half Lawson moving to wing-back.

Cable was starting to find more freedom to turn and had three chances in as many minutes.

With a minute to go Cable picked up a free kick and ran into the Deal penalty, some heavy challenges forced him away from the goal, he then twisted and turned leaving the defenders for dead and the keeper could only watch as his curling low-level shot found the bottom corner.

Beckenham assistent manager Dave Memhet said: "The new young side needs time together before it starts to gel, it will take at least six weeks before we will know what we have."

MATCH FACTS BECKENHAM: Lewington, Lawson, Hart, McKenzie, Hughes, Dussard, Smith, Gallagher, McDonnell, Carew, Cable.

SUBS: Curran, Hughes, Hawkes, Carter-Barnes, Ibrahim.

ATT: 95.