By Kevin Redsull

Deal Town manager Derek Hares is hoping that defensive clean sheets in his side’s opening two matches will prove a sign of things to come this season.

Deal booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 home win over Sandhurst Town last Saturday and Hares said: "For the last few seasons our problem has been letting in too many goals but we already look more solid at the back and two clean sheets is a good start to proving that."

Their reward for the win over Sandhurst is a home preliminary round tie with Kent League title favourites Hythe Town a week on Saturday, after Hythe disposed of Bookham.

Hares (pictured) added: "That should be a cracking game and I think we will get a good crowd for it."

It would help if Deal could go into the tie unbeaten and to do that, Hares’ side must avoid defeat in their away league game against Greenwich Borough this Saturday.

Hares said: "Greenwich away is always a tough game but if we can come away with something it would set us nicely for the Hythe tie."

The Deal boss should have midfielders Jason Brazier (ankle) and Mark Munday (holiday) available again but winger Danny Smith is still ruled out by a hamstring strain.

Striker Roy Godden has completed a two-match ban carried over from last season but will be missing again because of an ankle injury, while centre-half Adam Govey also has an ankle problem.