Deal Town travel to Sporting Bengal United in the FA Vase after beating Glebe to win a place in the Kent Senior Trophy quarter-finals

Deal boss Steve King is wary of FA Vase opponents Sporting Bengal United - no longer the whipping boys that they were in the Kent League.

United once went a whole season in the Kent League without scoring a point, conceding 160 goals in a 32-game campaign, but after a decade in the Essex League, the club are now a competitive side in the Eastern Counties First Division South - a step below Deal and the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

Their surprise 6-3 win over Deal’s league rivals Glebe in the last round caught the eye and King knows his men will have to be on their game this Saturday.

“You don’t get to this stage of the FA Vase without being a decent side,” said the Hoops boss ahead of their away trip.

“We will show them the utmost respect. Yes, they are in a league lower, step six, on paper we might be in as favourites but the last round Glebe would have been heavy favourites to beat them.

“I know they used to be known as the whipping boys in the Kent League but they won 6-3 at Glebe and their league form has been very good.

“We have done our homework, it will be a very tough game but it is winnable and one we’re looking forward to. We know we will have to be at our very best but we are confident that if we are it is a winnable game.”

Deal’s domestic cup objectives, meanwhile, remain on track with a 4-2 extra-time win over Glebe in the Kent Senior Trophy last weekend. They are eager for cup success and the Trophy is a realistic opportunity, having been knocked out of the SCEFL Challenge Cup at Lydd Town on penalties.

Riley Alford had put the Hoops ahead against Glebe, but the visitors struck back and with four minutes of normal time left they took the lead.

Billy Munday then scored to take the match to