I think everyone involved in football dreams of being involved in the FA Cup and it is something that always brings an extra buzz when it comes around, says Deal Town head coach Steve King

DEAL TOWN head coach Steve King says he is targeting another run in The FA Cup this season.

Deal Town’s opening Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division campaign was abandoned at half-time last Saturday with Derek Hares’ side holding Chatham Town to a 1-1 draw at the time.

Chatham Town, Sheppey United and Glebe are all tipped to be challenging for the title this season.

Neil Hunter’s Lordswood were then beaten 3-0 at Martyn Grove on Tuesday night to put Deal Town in sixth-place in the table after the first week.

“We were pleased with how we played before the biblical weather arrived,” said King.

“We started the Chatham game very brightly against a top-quality side and felt that we were well in the game at half-time.

“They had a lot of the ball, which is to be expected but we were well-organised and were happy with the position we were in when the rain came.

“It was great to start the season with such a tough test even though we couldn’t complete the game.”

King added: “We were very happy to pick up our first three points at Lordswood with a professional performance.

“We looked strong throughout with my only criticism was that we were not clinical enough in front of goal.

“It is always a tough place to go and Lordswood worked hard throughout the 90 minutes but we were pleased to keep a clean sheet and come away with a good win.”

Attention now turns to tomorrow’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against Southall at The Charles Sports Ground.

Southall play at the same level as Deal Town and travel down to the Kent coast in second-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North.

They opened their campaign with a 3-1 defeat at Reading City before bouncing back to beat Spelthorne Sports 2-0 away from home in midweek.

“We have done our homework on Southall since the draw was made and we know that they are a very strong side who regularly compete towards the top of the Combined Counties League,” said King.

“We played them two years ago in the Vase and had a very competitive and tight game that we just managed to win in the end.

“We are expecting just as tough a game on Saturday but are hoping for a similar result.

“I think everyone involved in football dreams of being involved in the FA Cup and it is something that always brings an extra buzz when it comes around.

“it is obviously important for the club from a financial point of view to try and progress but it also allows everyone at the club to dream of a big day out if a team at our level can progress through two or three rounds.

“We have had a nice little run last year so it would be good to try and repeat that this season.”

Visit Deal Town’s website: www.dealtownfc.co.uk

Deal Town  v  Southall
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 7 August 2021
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Charles Sports Ground, St Leonards Road, Deal, Kent CT14 9AU