It’s full steam ahead for Deal, insists King

Steve King is determined to ensure Deal’s season doesn’t peter out. The Hoops’ slim Isthmian South East play-off prospects took another dent with last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at struggling Phoenix Sports despite winger Ashley Miller’s late goal. Eighth-placed Deal are some way off the pace in the race for a top-five finish, having played more fixtures than everyone ahead of them.

While manager King has overseen two Southern Counties East League Premier Division promotion charges at Deal - the second of which was successful during last term’s title-winning campaign - it had taken him time, and plenty of mid-table finishes, to get them challenging in Step 5. He said: “We have had a lot of success in the last couple of years but this is a situation I’m very familiar with. “When we were in SCEFL, during my time at the club, we were mid-table for most of it.



“It’s always a building process for us because we’re not a club that lets five players go at the end of the season. “I understand when people say that [they don’t want their season to dwindle out], but it’s different for different clubs. “We’re going to finish in the highest position that the club has finished in for 60-odd years.

We have got great support, as well, and we owe it to them to still try and win as many games as possible. “If we do have a mega-run, we could get into the play-offs and we will keep chasing that until it’s mathematically impossible. “So, we want to put in as many good performances as possible and pick up as many points as we can.

” Deal were wasteful in front of goal at Phoenix Sports but also saw little go their way. They conceded two penalties, one of which keeper Adam Molloy saved, while there was also debate over the home side’s second goal. King reflected: “We created a number of chances and played very well from 18-yard box to 18-yard box.

“We missed chances, which was our fault, but I also felt that we were unlucky with decisions. We had two penalties given against us and, having looked back at them, neither were penalties. “Then, their second goal was offside.

But it was our fault for missing chances, as well. "We played some good stuff on a tough pitch, but we’re not being ruthless enough.” Skipper Kane Smith’s return only lasted less than 15 minutes with youngster Morgan Page, who had come on in his place, then being replaced in the latter stages.

But King explained: “Morgan was a tactical substitution. He was excellent on Saturday. “We had two 18-year-olds on the pitch, including Ben Clark, who we have brought in from Gillingham, and we had Kane back.

Kane had a slightly tight groin, but he got through a fitness test. “Now we have got five substitutions, my theory is it’s better to start them and then take them off whereas, when it was three substitutes, maybe you would just leave them on the bench. “Morgan was excellent.

He only came off towards the end when we wanted to bring another attacker on and he was a real plus.” Gills youth-team midfielder Clark also came through more than an hour at the start of his loan spell. “We have got a positive relationship with Gillingham,” said King.

“In the last couple of seasons, it’s been tough to bring these players in when we’re going for titles. They want them to play and I don’t want to stifle their development. “But this time, we felt it was a good opportunity to freshen us up.

With Tommy Lamb going back to America, it was an area we wanted to strengthen in. “I’d worked with Ben with Kent so I know him, personally. He did well on Saturday on a pitch that’s probably a bit alien to him!” Deal will next be in action at Ashford United this Saturday.

While the Nuts & Bolts have twice beaten them, they are under new stewardship, with Danny Kedwell having left as manager last month. Co-owner Lloyd Hume has taken the reins until the end of this season. King said: “We were a bit unlucky on both occasions.

“We lost 1-0 in the Trophy and 3-1 to them in the league. It’s a game that we’re looking forward to. “They have invested heavily and have a side that’s full of experience.

It’s going to be a good game. “Both sides probably need to win to have any chance of making the play-offs so it’s a good yardstick for us. "We’re on a similar points total as them and they’re an established side at this level.

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