Derek Hares is savouring the moment – Deal Town are top of the Safety Net Kent League.

A 1-0 win over Sporting Bengal on Saturday moved Deal to the top and boss Hares (pictured) said: "It’s a great feeling – beyond my wildest dreams!

"If someone had said we’d be top after eight games, I wouldn’t have believed them. Realistically, we were looking to consolidate this season as it’s been tough off the pitch. So being top is way beyond our expectations.

"It’s the kind of league where on one given day, anyone can beat anyone but we have some good players and they’re doing the business." However, despite the unexpected start, Hares is remaining calm.

He added: "I’m delighted but we can’t start getting carried away. There’s a long way to go and there’ll be plenty of twists and turns to come but we’re top and it’s always nice to have points on the board."

Deal take a break from league action to start their campaign in the Kent Senior Trophy at Holmesdale on Saturday and Hares is keen to make amends
for a disappointing 1-1 draw two weeks ago.

He said: "Holmesdale is a difficult place to go to. We should have beaten them in the league a couple of weeks back and know how they play.

"It’s probably helped our league form that we’ve gone out of a couple of cups early but we want to win Saturday and go on a run.

"We’ve reached the semi-finals in the last three years so hopefully we can go beyond that this time."

Andy Hadden and Mo Takaloo will both be missing for Town through
suspension, while Shane Suter is attending a wedding.