By Brian Davis

Whyteleafe climbed to third in the Southern Counties East League after a 3-1 win over Deal Town at Church Road.

John Fowler's men are now unbeaten in six league games, and are off the top spot by five points, although they have a game in hand. 

The first goal was somewhat fortunate as the linesman failed to raise his flag when Roscoe DSane put the ball through to Greg Andrews who was clearly in an offside position, but he took advantage of the situation to shoot past the advancing Josh Mattless to give the hosts the lead.

Whyteleafe were soon two up- in the 24th minute Bentley Graham made a fine run down the right, pulling the ball back to DSane who spotted Ryan Fowler unmarked on the edge of the box.

He made no mistake, firing into the back of the net to double the lead.

Deal’s first good chance fell to Kristin Gregory in the 30th minute, his header from Danny Smith’s free kick was well saved by Sheikh Ceesay.

Deal's Jack Tanner brought a free-kick out of the advancing Ceesay, but the goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

The second half was rather low key after the lively first half. Leafe nearly extended their lead in the 47th minute, Abraham’s long ball picking out DSane.

He put Andrews through and he rounded the keeper, but hit the side netting from a narrow angle. Thompson and Andrews then both shot wide from good chances.

Ceesay did well to come out and tackle substitute Ryan Philpott who had broken clear in the 56th minute.

Mattless then made a superb save in the 59th minute to tip Thompsons free kick past the post that he had curled round the wall.

Leafe were aggrieved in the 80th minute to have a goal ruled out. Sam Clayton took the ball round the keeper to the by-line before pulling the ball back to Taylor Smith who shot home, but the linesman ruled that the ball had gone out of play before the cross was made.

Clayton however recovered from his disappointment to score Leafe’s third in the 84th minute with a fine strike from 25 yards.

Deal did get a late consolation goal two minutes from time when a poor back header was intercepted by Walsh who touched the ball past the advancing Ceesay into the net.

Leafe travel to struggling Rochester this weekend.

Whyteleafe: Ceesay, Merchant, Penfold, Abraham, Smith, Thompson, Fowler, Grant (Williams 80), DSane (Smith {Taylor} 65), Andrews (Clayton 65), Graham.

Not used: Pratt, Burnett