Hoops loss can be vital lesson

Deal’s weekend defeat at Burgess Hill helped show the levels the Hoops need to look to reach next season, according to top scorer Tom Chapman. Steve King’s side, who went into the Isthmian South East match on a four-game winning streak, fell to a 4-0 defeat at the promotion-chasers who scored four first-half goals. It made for a tough afternoon for Chris Waymark, who played in goal with Adam Molloy absent for personal reasons.

Deal had been beaten 5-3 by the Hillians at the Charles Sports Ground in January. Winger Chapman, who has got 21 goals this term, said: “From the game when we played them at home, we knew they were going to be a decent outfit. They just blew us away in the first half on Saturday.



“There’s loads for us to learn. We had been on a very good run before Saturday, winning four games on the bounce. “But it just showed where we need to get to next season if we want to aim for those play-off places.

” The top-end of the division in the Hoops’ first campaign at the level has proven particularly strong. Both champions-elect Ramsgate and second-placed Sittingbourne are expected to clear the 100-point mark while fellow play-off occupants Margate aren’t far behind. “If you look at Ramsgate and Sittingbourne, they’re both absolutely flying at the top of the league,” Chapman noted.

“Sittingbourne are second with nearly 100 points! “Third and fourth are a step above everyone else, as well, but then you have got a middle bunch where we are. “From the last play-off place to us, it’s been fairly close. It shows the top-end of the league has been very strong.

“But that middle group is kind of very similar and I think anyone can beat anyone in there.” Provided Deal can get back on track, hosting East Grinstead this Saturday before an Easter Monday derby at Herne Bay (both 3pm), a top-10 finish remains firmly in their sights. That would be just reward for King’s men not allowing their campaign to dwindle out after their ambitious play-off push diminished.

Chapman said: “We have always had a strong belief we’re always trying to build for the following season. “We had that in our SCEFL days, just trying to finish as high as we could. “We’ll look to finish the season well and then look to get into the play-offs next year.

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