Deal Town head into the Christmas programme bang in the middle of the Isthmian League Southeast division – they are currently twelve points behind the Play Off places but thirteen points in front of the bottom four.
And as Steve King prepares to take his side to Oakwood on Saturday to face VCD Athletic, one of the sides in the bottom four, the Deal boss has been speaking about his side’s form in the lead up to the holiday programme.
“The word I think best sums it up is frustrating,” he told KSN this week. “I have been more than satisfied with our performance levels and there have been weeks where I don’t feel that the results have reflected that.”
“We have struggled with having most of our key forward players being out at the same time – I know every side gets injuries, but we have had all our key players out at the same time in the same area of the pitch and despite playing really well, we have struggled to translate it into the results that I feel we deserved.”
Only playing the once over this holiday period has taken the Deal boss a bit by surprise – “It’s a bit of a strange Christmas,” King admitted.
“Feels like nothing’s changing just playing Saturday, Saturday, Saturday and following our normal training schedule.”
“We know that it’s going to be a really tough game at VCD – they are a good side and play some good football especially at home.”
“As we have seen from all the promoted sides – as we saw from Hassocks last weekend – they have really adapted well to the League and although VCD may be struggling a little bit in terms of position, there isn’t a massive difference in points totals – except for East Grinstead who are thirteen points behind their closest club and sixteen away from safety – there isn’t a massive difference between anyone in the bottom area and if they can string a few wins together VCD will be mid-table.”
“It’s a tough game for us on Saturday but we were very good against Hassocks and couldn’t put the ball in the net; we were very good against Whyteleafe the week before again that same story.”
“So, we go to VCD the day after Boxing Day full of confidence, but we need to start taking our chances!”
After the trip to VCD, Deal next welcome Herne Bay to the Charles Ground to kick off 2026 on January 3rd.