Deal Town welcome Sheppey United to the Charles Ground on Saturday for an FA Trophy tie, with the home side looking to improve on the frustrating start to their season which currently sees them propping up the South East division. 

But when we spoke to boss Steve King this week, it was clear that the Hoops boss isn’t ready to put the panic signs up yet.  

King told us, “It’s been a frustrating start, we haven’t got the points that we would have wanted to from some very tough games, and we have had three of four league games away from home so far.  

“There is certainly no panic but things haven’t gone to plan, but we have had some good results in the cups in between – we had a good win at Binfield in the last round of the Trophy and we are certainly looking forward to a bit more cup action on Saturday. 

“Although I would be lying if we weren’t eager to get back into league action to put some points on the board. But there is a big game Saturday – Sheppey have had a decent start to the season, and we are really looking forward to it.” 

The two sides go into the weekend off the back of differing fortunes in the County Cup on Tuesday night, Sheppey fielded a young side that beat neighbours Sittingbourne 2-1, whilst Deal lost 8-7 on penalties to what was Chatham’s full team leaving King to acclaim, “I thought we played brilliantly – they fielded a very strong side and it was probably our strongest performance of the season.  

“It ended up becoming a “proper” game with eight or nine bookings and was played more like an FA Cup or FA Trophy tie rather than a Kent Cup game.” 

“We went 2-0 up and felt that we had a very poor decision go against us regarding a penalty that got them back into it before a very, very good equaliser late on took it to penalties which is a bit of a lottery and unfortunately we lost 8-7 in the shoot-out.  

“When you consider that our league performances have been disappointing, I think everyone who was at the game on Tuesday saw a “real Deal performance” and hopefully we can kick on from that on Saturday in the FA Trophy and the next three league games all of which are at home which will hopefully be a chance to pick up some points and start climbing the table at this really early part of the season.” 

“We will be looking to make the Charles Ground a fortress again as we have previously. Ever since I have been at the club, eleven years now, our home form has always been strong, and we have actually only played at home once so far in the League. We did lose that game which was disappointing but Herne Bay have had a good start and recruited well in the summer – I don’t think that there is any worries about our home form and certainly on Tuesday against a very strong Chatham side we showed what we can do at home.” 

“We have played Sheppey a lot over the years, they got promoted before us and they do tend to be good games. They have had a little bit of a one over us recently – we beat them away the last two seasons, but I don’t think that we have beaten them at home in my time at the club – that’s something we’ll be looking to put right on Saturday.”