We know we are in for a really tough game against Cobham, says Deal Town boss Steve King

DEAL TOWN manager Steve King says his side are focused on the job at hand ahead of tomorrow’s FA Vase Last 32 home tie against Cobham.

Deal Town sit in fourth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 42 points from 19 games.

Glebe are presently at the summit with 45 points from 23 games, while there are 10 clubs who are seriously involved in the promotion race.

Faversham Town, who appointed former Ashford United boss Tommy Warrilow as their new manager on Wednesday, are in second-place in the table with 44 points from 23 games, followed by Corinthian (42 points from 20 games), Deal Town and Whitstable Town (42 points from 24 games).

Deal Town beat First Division side Staplehurst Monarchs 5-1 at home on Tuesday night to progress in the Challenge Cup.

King said: “Pleased with the final result. Staplehurst played really well for the opening 30 minutes and caused us a lot of problems but once we got into our stride in the second half we were pretty comfortable in the end.  It was pleasing to get through and good to get back to winning ways.

“We are pleased with how things are going but still disappointed to have dropped two points in injury time at Holmesdale last week.

“The SCEFL is wide open with up to 10 teams still in the title race.  There are lots of games to play and plenty of tests and turns, so it is way too early to be making predictions.

“We are pleased with our current run of form, will look to continue that in 2024 and try and finish as high in the table as we possibly can.”

Deal Town have signed striker Ashley Miller from league rivals Faversham Town  and he has been added to the squad for tomorrow’s game.

Miller is not cup-tied as he missed the Lilywhites' 4-0 win over Horsham YMCA as he was away.

Cobham are sitting in the bottom four in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South table, having picked up 21 points (five wins, six draws and nine defeats) from their 20 league outings.

“I’m expecting a really tough game against a team that has got some excellent results recently, including drawing Jersey Bulls and beating Egham,” said King.

“Any side who has made the Fourth Round of The FA Vase - and having done our homework - we know we are in for a really tough game.

“We welcome Ashley Miller to the club, who will be in the squad and although we are nursing some knocks, we are confident of most of the boys being fit.”

Deal Town are expecting to attract another large crowd to The Charles Sports Ground tomorrow, and King had this message for them.

“Your support is crucial to us and we need you again on Saturday, so please turn out in big numbers like you have done all season and get behind the boys.

“All we are worried about is reaching the Last 16 tomorrow. If we do that, then we will be delighted. As soon as you look too far ahead things start to go wrong, so we will focus on the next game.”

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

Deal Town  v  Cobham
The Isuzu FA Vase Fourth Round
Saturday 13 January 2024
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Charles Sports Ground, St Leonards Road, Deal, Kent CT14 9AU