Deal Town manager Steve King admits clash at Kennington as tough as it gets in the league as he also looks ahead to FA Vase tie at Alford

Boss Steve King believes Deal’s Bank Holiday Monday clash at Kennington is about as tough as it will get this season in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

The Hoops will visit Dan Scorer’s side as they return to league action, two days after their FA Vase First Qualifying Round fixture at Alford.

Deal had mixed fortunes at Homelands last season, under former manager Derek Hares, beating them 5-1 in the first round of the Kent Senior Trophy before The Ton got revenge in March as they battled to a 1-0 win.

“It’s as tough as it gets in SCEFL to be honest, Kennington away,” King suggested.

“Dan has done a great job there. You don’t go there and beat them easily.

“We had a really good Kent Senior Trophy win but we lost there in March in the league. No one needs to tell anybody at our club how tough it is to play Kennington.

“It’s a tough one, because we have the Vase on Saturday, but if we can get a result against Kennington, we will be really pleased because they are a really good side.”

Before then, though, it’s FA Vase action for Deal who travel to Southern Combination Premier Division outfit Alford this weekend.

On what research he has managed to do on Alford ahead of the 220-mile round trip, King replied: “We have done as much work as we can.

“It’s been quite difficult with the way the fixtures have come out, they have been playing at the same time as us.

“But we have got reports and done as much as we can.

“We will focus on what we want to do but we will show them the respect they deserve.

"It’s another long journey for us. That’s three Saturdays away in a row, plus midweek at Egham, but we have got good players and know that we are a good side.

“The boys will want to respond and put it right.”

Deal’s FA Cup