Dominant Punjab eased past Deal in their Kent Senior Trophy Final at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Sunday.

Chipie Sian’s troops were 4-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Paul Vines, Jayden Hussain, William Johnson-Cole and Theo McKenzie.

Attacker Hussain completed a second successive hat-trick after the restart, while talented teenage Deal defender Alex Green was sent off as it finished 6-0.

The Hoops had come into the showdown on an 18-match unbeaten run - only for Punjab to rip up the script.

Their captain Lea Dawson left an early mark on midfielder Ben Chapman in front of a crowd of 1,851 with a strong tackle inside the first minute, a challenge which Dawson was warned for.

Hussain found space with six minutes played but his shot was easily gathered by Deal goalkeeper Henry Newcombe.

At the other end three minutes later, Tom Chapman found space, only for his strike to fail to properly test keeper Rilwan Anibaba.

Deal went close, soon after. Tom Chapman passed to Billy Munday who appeared to force a fingertip save from Anibaba but a goal-kick was awarded.

That same combination linked-up well in the 15th minute when Munday headed over a right-wing cross.

But Punjab drew first blood a minute later. Chris Edwards’ own right-wing delivery was bang on the money and 39-year-old frontman Vines made no mistake with the finish.

As they aimed for a quick reply, Deal won a string of corners, the last of which flashed across the face of goal.

But things got even better for the Gravesend-based team in the 25th minute. A corner caused problems in the box and, having initially hit the woodwork, Hussain bundled home from a matter of yards out - despite adamant handball appeals by Newcombe.

Punjab incredibly then went three goals to the good shortly before the half-hour mark as winger Johnson-Cole was presented with far too much space in the box and blasted beyond Newcombe.

Deal midfielder Jack Hanson saw a 38th-minute drive drift wide of Anibaba’s right-hand post.

The Hoops had simply left way too much space at the back at this stage and McKenzie made it 4-0 on 42 minutes at the end of a dream first half for Punjab and Deal’s nightmare first period.

It could have been even worse, too, had Newcombe not made a first-half stoppage time save to stop Dawson’s header.

Pretty unsurprisingly, the Hoops made a half-time switch. Macauley Murray replaced Hanson.

Left-back Jack Penny volleyed at Anibaba in the 48th minute before Tom Chapman’s dangerous delivery was parried well by Anibaba, five minutes later, amid an encouraging start to the half for the Hoops.

On 55 minutes, however, Punjab got their fifth when a right-wing cross fell to Hussain who added his second.

Another change for the Hoops came on the hour, Lewis Stevens-Toomey replaced by Sam Taylor.

Everything which could go wrong for Deal was doing so on the afternoon and 19-year-old defender Green was sent off by referee Wayne Horsfall for a foul on McKenzie, who was through on goal, in the 64th minute.

Edwards took the free-kick which was beaten away.

But with 20 minutes left, Punjab’s sixth came. Newcombe denied McKenzie but Hussain was on hand to complete his hat-trick.

Murray tried his luck from a free-kick in the 78th minute, although the Hoops still couldn’t find a way past Anibaba.

Punjab’s first substitution saw Chandler Kasai come on for Johnson-Cole before Ashley Probets replaced McKenzie.

Deal boss Steve King had selected an unchanged starting line-up. With skipper Kane Smith still sidelined, fellow defender Alfie Foster kept the captain’s armband.

The pick of the Punjab changes from the team which beat Kennington 4-2 on Tuesday - a victory inspired by another Hussain hat-trick - was one in goal. That saw Anibaba return for Owen Bushell.

Kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes as Deal fans flocked through the turnstiles in their numbers - only for them to endure an afternoon they’ll quickly want to forget.

Deal do still have a shot at promotion in the Southern Counties East Premier Division, though, and visit leaders Erith & Belvedere on Wednesday and end their season at home to Sutton Athletic next Saturday.

Punjab are at Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday and finish their league campaign by hosting Lordswood next weekend.

Deal Town: Newcombe, Stevens-Toomey (Taylor 60mins), Penny, Green, Foster, Munday, T.Chapman, Hanson (Murray 46mins), Millbank, B.Chapman, Alford (Atherton 74mins). Subs not used: Coyne, Reeves.

Punjab United: Anibaba, Edwards, Dythe, Watson, Ratcliff, Campbell, McKenzie (Probets 84mins), Dawson, Vines, Hussain (Okundalaiye 90mins), Johnson-Cole (Kasai 81mins). Subs not used: Arnold, Gilbert.

Referee: Wayne Horsfall.

Attendance: 1,851.