Deal Town boss Steve King on 5-1 Isthmian South East win over Erith Town, two-goal striker Rory Smith, home match against Broadbridge Heath and latest on chances of top-five finish

Steve King has highlighted the importance of Deal’s win over Erith Town - for both their long and short-term ambitions at the club.

The Hoops kept alive their slim hopes of an Isthmian South East play-off finish with a 5-1 victory against the Dockers at the Charles Sports Ground last weekend.

King’s team and Erith have come up against each other plenty of times over recent years.

There has rarely been much between the sides but Deal bucked that trend as two-goal Rory Smith, defender Alfie Foster and substitute Wes Hennessey did the damage after teenage striker Owen Wilkinson had given them a second-minute lead.

Boss King said: “Our home form has been outstanding.

“We lost our first two home league games of the season - to Sittingbourne and a frustrating one to Merstham - but, since then, we have been so good at home. I know we lost at home to AFC Croydon Athletic but we were so good that day.

“The best thing from Saturday was, over the past 10 years since I’ve been at the club, we have played Erith Town so many times.

“Very rarely has there been more than a goal in it. We were ruthless.

“So, it was a very positive day for our long-term aspirations but our short-term ones, as well.”

For striker Smith, his double came with goals in each half as he made it 2-0 halfway through the first period in front of a crowd of 473 and added the Hoops’ third in the 52nd minute.

King has always had plenty of faith in the one-time Aberdeen trialist but injury problems have become a big issue for him.

“We’re really pleased with Rory and what we have got out of him,” said King. “He was away in Australia over Christmas and that coincided with him having an injury.

“We’re trying to manage his game-time sensibly, especially with the other