Deal Town boss Steve King eager to improve club’s FA Cup record ahead of preliminary round game at Crowborough Athletic as he reflects on opening-day 3-1 Isthmian South East defeat

Steve King is eager to improve Deal’s FA Cup record this season.

The Hoops will play new divisional rivals Crowborough Athletic in the preliminary round on Saturday, having seen off Hilltop 4-1 in their extra preliminary round replay last Tuesday.

While Crowborough and Deal are both plying their respective trades in Isthmian South East this campaign, they haven’t faced each other much competitively in recent years.

Deal boss King, whose team visit Faversham tonight, said: “I get on well with Sean Muggeridge, their manager.

“We were very similar SCEFL (Southern Counties East League Premier Division) sides for a number of years in terms of always being in and around similar places in the table.

"They’re a similar club to us, as well. They’re a community club.

"They haven’t got a big backer and did really well to get promoted last year.

“They were a side we used to play in pre-season games when they moved over to the Southern Combination League.

“It’s going to be a tough game.

“I know they lost quite heavily at the weekend (at Broadbridge Heath) but, having looked at what I’ve looked at, they seemed quite unlucky - which sounds stupid when you have lost 5-1!

“But they have beaten Punjab (3-2) and we know they’re a good side so that’s going to be a really tough game on Saturday. It’s one we’re looking forward to.

“Our FA Cup record in the preliminary round can best be described as woeful. We always seem to win our extra preliminary game and then fall at the next hurdle so that’s something we’re looking to put right.

“It should be a good game and it’ll be great if we can progress.”

Ironically, the teams have often met in pre-season friendlies, most recently two years ago.

The novelty of facing one another may soon wear off -