Tom Chapman hit the 20-goal mark for the season at the weekend - and Deal’s winger believes it’s the first time he’s reached the milestone in his career.
Chapman helped the Hoops earn a third Isthmian South East win in seven days, bagging a brace to add to defender Jack Paxman’s early goal in the 3-0 home victory over Three Bridges.
The top scorer had also been on target in last midweek’s impressive 4-2 triumph at play-off chasing Merstham.
“We were chatting the other day and he thinks it might be the first time he’s got 20 goals in a season in senior football,” said boss Steve King, who works alongside Chapman at Dover Grammar School for Boys.
“At Ramsgate in his earlier years, he chipped in quite a bit with 10 or 15 goals. I’m very lucky I’m close with him personally and he works with me now.
“He has been absolutely fantastic.
"He always has Step 4 teams chasing him and I think this season he almost wanted to prove to himself he could still do it at Step 4.”
King revealed the squad spent time fine-tuning things after last month’s 2-1 home loss to AFC Croydon Athletic and have seen that work pay off.
“It was a really good win on Saturday,” he said.
“Obviously, we have hit a little bit of form. We worked on a few things after the Croydon defeat.
"To get two really good away wins, and then to back it up against the league’s most form team when they play at their home, that was really good.”
Paxman's goal against Three Bridges was his first this campaign.
King said: “He normally chips in with a few.
"It was a great strike from 25 yards out, arrowed in. It was probably the best goal we’ve scored this season!
“On the back of a good win against Merstham last midweek, it’s strange. After conceding early a lot when we were
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