Deal Town boss Steve King looks ahead to last-16 FA Vase draw

Deal manager Steve King won’t spend too much time thinking about today’s last-16 FA Vase draw.

The Hoops, 2000 winners of the competition, are three rounds from a Wembley Final. They won 2-0 against Cobham on Saturday in their first home tie since thumping Tooting Bec 7-0 in October 2022.

While the FA Vase is always an important competition for Deal - who have won 11 of their last 12 games - the club are also challenging for Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion this season and have a Challenge Cup Quarter-Final at Kennington next Tuesday.

King said: “We had five away draws on the bounce and we’ve now had one at home. If we get another one at home, we’re not going to complain.

“But if we have to go away, our away record is the best in the league. We love going on a journey - the boys love going away - so we cannot really lose in the draw.

“Everyone was talking about Farnham but they’ve gone out. Bridgwater United, who have beaten them, are probably a side to avoid!

“But, like with this round (last 32), if a team has got to the last 16 in the Vase, they’re decent. We will think about it for 10 minutes on Monday when the draw is made. Then, we’ll think about it again on February 1.

“We have five massive games between now and then, and we have a lot to play for this season. Yes, the Vase is big - but we’re not 10th in the league and the Vase is the be-all-and-end-all.

“We have got to go to Lydd on Wednesday and we’ve got a Quarter-Final next Tuesday. That’s going to be our focus.”

The Hoops reached this stage of the FA Vase in 2020 when they were beaten 2-0 at Northern League Consett AFC, with King then-boss Derek Hares’ assistant.

But much has changed since then and Deal won’t be overawed, regardless of who