Ashford United are seeking promotion to the Ryman League for the second successive season.

They are one of six Southern Counties East clubs in a list of 70, spanning 14 Step 5 leagues nationwide revealed this week who have applied.

The other clubs are leaders Erith & Belvedere, Phoenix Sports, Tunbridge Wells, Greenwich Borough and Corinthian.

FA Vase opponents, Eastern Counties League leaders Norwich United have also applied.

United face strugglers Deal for the third time this season, at Homelands on Saturday, when Olympic heptathlon bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton will be a guest of the club.

Top scorer Stuart Zanone’s double paved the way for a 2-0 win at Charles Ground in September, before Deal came from 2-0 down after only 15 minutes to win 3-2 in the Kent Senior Trophy at Homelands early last month.

Zanone has hit 10 goals in the last five games, and boss Paul Chambers said: “Stuart is in that sort of form and expects to score in every game.

“He has been brilliant for us, and is on fire at the moment.”