Deal Town boss Steve King relaxed about goalkeeper dilemma ahead of huge FA Trophy first-round home tie against Hashtag United

Steve King is relaxed about Deal’s goalkeeper dilemma ahead of a huge FA Trophy tie.

The Hoops, who have already progressed further than the club have ever done before in the Trophy, welcome Isthmian North high-fliers Hashtag United to the Charles Sports Ground for a first-round fixture this Saturday.

James Tonkin, the club’s No.1 at the start of this season, is still touch-and-go as to whether he will be able to return from a groin injury in time for the tie while present first-choice Joe Coleman is cup-tied.

It was youth-team prospect Kye Davidson who was between the sticks in the previous round, however, leaving manager King with a big call to make.

Asked if Tonkin will be fit to face Hashtag, King replied: “We’re hoping so. He certainly isn’t fully-fit yet.

“We’re in a position where, if he’s not fully-fit on Saturday, we will still probably put him in. Next Tuesday at Steyning, we’ll have Joe.

“Ultimately, goalkeeper decisions are like outfield decisions so you need to look at form and fitness. It’s not a decision that we can think about until we know their fitness and form.

"We’re really pleased with how Joe has done and Tonks has done well for us for a number of years.

“There is certainly no panic from me. I would much rather have two or three very good goalkeepers than no goalkeepers.

“We’re hoping to have Tonks available on Saturday. If not, we have got Kye, who did well in the last round. I’m pretty relaxed about it.

“We’ll just see how it plays out.”

It promises to be an exciting day for Deal but King says it cannot be the Isthmian South East side’s only focus, with the Trophy tie sandwiching league matches against Faversham Town and Steyning Town. The Hoops lost 4-2 in a midweek home match against Steve