We will need to be at our very best to beat Littlehampton, says Deal Town head coach Steve King

DEAL TOWN head coach Steve King says his side will have to be at their best to see off Littlehampton Town in The FA Vase Second Round tomorrow.

 

Derek Hares’ side are in fifth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having collected 31 points from their 15 league outings.

However, Deal Town suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Hollands & Blair last weekend. 

The Gillingham-based side appointed Scott Porter as their new manager to replace Simon Halsey, but Porter officially took charge after the game.

“Although we lost to Blair we were not too disappointed with our performance,” said King.

“We missed a number of good chances and managed to score a freak own goal.

“Blair worked incredibly hard on the day and they have a number of good players who were trying to impress the new management team.

“We know one of the areas we need to keep working on is converting our chances.  Our top scorer this season only has six goals so far, which is something we will keep working on especially when you see the firepower at Glebe, Sheppey and Chatham’s disposal.”

Winger Troy Howard has scored six goals for Deal Town so far this season, with centre-half Alfie Foster and central midfielder Billy Munday on five-a-piece.

Striker Jamie Philpot has scored 27 goals for leaders Glebe, while striker Jack Midson has scored 13 for unbeaten second-placed side Sheppey United, while Chatham Town’s talisman, Dan Bradshaw, has notched 26.

Littlehampton Town make the trip to the Kent coast tomorrow, sitting top of the Southern Combination Premier Division with 44 points from 19 games, a couple of points clear of Saltdean United.

“We are really looking forward to the game,” said King, whose club won The FA Vase for the only time back in 2000 when Tommy Sampson’s side beat Chippenham Town thanks to Rory Graham’s goal.

“As a club the Vase is always important to us and we always enjoy these occasions.

“It is going to be a very tough game with Littlehampton flying in their league and although we will be going in as underdogs, we will always back ourselves at home and look forward to putting on a big performance, although we always back ourselves at home and look forward to putting on a big performance.

“Although we lost last week, we are pleased with the performance so we need to ensure we keep doing all the right things. We should have a good crowd and I’m expecting it to be another good day for the club.

“Although we always back ourselves at home and look forward to.

“As ever we have done our homework since the draw so know the challenge that we will be facing.

“We have spent the week working hard on the game plan and will ensure that the boys will be ready come Saturday.

“Littlehampton are a very strong side and did well against Sittingbourne in The FA Cup, so we will need to be at our very best.”

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

Deal Town  v  Littlehampton Town
The Buildbase FA Vase Second Round
Saturday 20 November 2021
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Charles Sports Ground, St Leonards Road, Deal, Kent CT14 9AU