Deal Town boss Steve King looks forward to Isthmian South East match at Merstham this weekend as he bemoans defensive errors in 3-3 weekend draw against Broadbridge Heath

Steve King expects Deal’s match at Merstham to be “a humdinger” this Saturday.

The Hoops were left to bemoan a sloppy defensive display as their faint hopes of a top-five Isthmian South East finish took another dent with last weekend’s 3-3 draw against Broadbridge Heath.

Deal lost 3-2 to the Moatsiders at the Charles Sports Ground in August but did the double over them last term, winning 4-3 at home in October before they claimed a 4-2 triumph at Weldon Way in March.

If previous results are anything to go by, goals in any clash between the two teams are likely to be on the cards.

“The Easter weekend is always a difficult one with two games in three days but our squad is pretty strong,” said Deal boss King, whose men will host relegation-threatened team VCD on Easter Monday.

“If we get six points from it and other teams around us get zero, it changes the picture but, if we get zero points and those around us get six points, it changes the picture the other way.

“Against Merstham, we lost 3-2 at the start of this season. But we won 4-2 at their place last season so it should be a humdinger of a game.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

With just 15 points to play for this term, Deal are seven points behind Sittingbourne, in fourth, and fifth-placed Faversham Town.

King said: “I was quite public that we thought 75 points would give us a chance. It would have got us in last year.

“If we get 77 points and we still don’t get in, we will feel very unlucky. We’re looking to build on what we have done, certainly since Christmas.

“Getting 15 points is going to be a tall order. We’re away to Merstham this weekend and they won 5-0 at Faversham on Saturday.

“Then, we have got VCD and Broadbridge Heath, who are fighting for everything. We