Deal Town boss Steve King praises the impact striker Aaron Millbank has made after he scores in 3-1 victory at Hollands & Blair and 2-2 draw with Rusthall

Manager Steve King has praised the impact Deal striker Aaron Millbank has made at the club.

Millbank headed to the Charles Sports Ground in August from Herne Bay after he helped them earn promotion to Isthmian Premier last season, scoring a second-half penalty to seal their play-off final triumph at Ashford.

The ex-Gillingham youngster, now 28, struck in Deal’s 3-1 weekend victory at Hollands & Blair and, while he perhaps would have liked more goals this term, King has been delighted with his all-round game.

“Since we have signed Aaron, he has been absolutely outstanding,” said King.

“Everyone will agree we’ve wanted him to score more goals. But his work-rate has been phenomenal.

“He’s only on 13 I think and it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets to 20.

“Aaron Millbank can score 30 goals in a season in SCEFL, absolutely no doubt about it. But he’s part of the reason so many different players score.

“He wants to score more, I want him to score more, but he has been outstanding for us.”

There was a big milestone for another of the Hoops’ frontline as Connor Coyne made his 300th club appearance at Hollands & Blair.

King said: “I’m delighted for Connor.

“He was there the first week we came in, in 2015. To play 300 games for a football club in the modern era is a really good achievement.

"Hopefully, there’s many more to come.”

A record crowd of 660 turned out to watch Hollands & Blair return home on their new 3G pitch at Star Meadow - but the visitors managed to ruin their homecoming.

Alfie Foster and Riley Alford were also on the scoresheet.

“It’s been a good week,” said King, whose side came from two down to draw 2-2 last Wednesday at Rusthall, with Millbank once again among the goals.

“Obviously, it was a tough game at Blair.