Deal’s players might not be thrilled about the prospect of a lengthy pre-season away journey - but manager Steve King has been looking at the bigger picture with this weekend’s friendly.

The Hoops face a round trip of more than 100 miles to visit Crowborough Athletic on Saturday.

But with the likes of Erith Town, Fisher, Holmesdale and Glebe remaining in the Southern Counties East Premier Division for the new season, it’s the sort of journey they will need to do again at times.

King explained: “I always say to the boys that I don’t like having a ‘cushy’ pre-season schedule so I always like to throw one in that everyone whines about!

“If you have to go somewhere difficult away on the first day of the season and all you’ve done is play five miles away on nice grounds, people can get a bit too comfortable.

“They’ll have to get up a bit earlier, they’ll have to sit in the car for an hour and a bit to get there.

“We’re good friends with the people at Crowborough.

“They’re, obviously, ex-SCEFL and they did well in the Southern Combination League [coming sixth] so that’ll be a good test.”

Deal drew 3-3 at Isthmian Premier Margate on Saturday, having started pre-season with a 5-0 home win over Minster in front of more than 300 people last Tuesday.

Reflecting on their friendly at Hartsdown Park, King said: “It was a good work-out for us.

“I’m pleased, certainly with our first-half performance. Obviously, we got the goals but we also played very well, which was good.

“They have got quality players and went half-and-half, bringing on people like Ben Greenhalgh and Harrison Hatfull.

“We got a bit leggy in the second half but it was only our second pre-season friendly, they played two 11s and we had boys getting through 90, so it was to be expected.

“Results don’t matter but you don’t want to come and lose 6-0 or 7-0!

“So we’ll take this, we’re pleased with the performance.”

With brothers Tom and Ben Chapman playing cricket for Sandwich Town and captain Kane Smith still sidelined (groin), Joe Reeves netted in the first period while defensive duo Alfie Foster and Alex Green were on the scoresheet too.

On Reeves’ display, King said: “It’s perfect for us. We do what we do with the Chapmans as part of our agreement, it’s always been that way.

“It gives us an opportunity to do some different stuff and we had a few others missing on Saturday as well - it’s holiday and wedding season, isn’t it?

“That’s what pre-season is all about - giving everybody minutes, giving people opportunities and looking at different combinations.

“I think it showed our strength-in-depth as well.

“Kane Smith is still injured, hopefully he’s not too far away, so if you take Kane, Tom Chapman and Ben Chapman out of what’s probably your strongest side, then to put in a performance like that is pleasing.”

Goalkeeper Henry Newcombe also made a stunning save amid a strong first-half performance by the Hoops, who led 2-0 before Gate hit back.

“He’s a good goalkeeper,” King noted. “He makes saves at important times and was a massive part of our good run at the end of last season.

“There’s parts of his game we want to work on, he knows that, but in terms of shot-stopping and keeping us in games, there’s not many better. He’s important for us in that respect.”

Deal have been drawn at home in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round to Combined Counties League Premier Division South Guildford City on Saturday, August 5.

He said: “I was sat at work on Friday and we just wanted a home draw! We lost two games at home all season last year so we fancy ourselves at home.

“It was basically a case of ‘Give me anyone at home’. We’ve got a home draw and we’ll do our homework on Guildford before we play them, as we always do. But it’s a home draw so we’re looking forward to that.

“We’ll go out and do our best to win a game of football.

“We’re at home against a Step 5 side. Let’s go and beat them.”

The winner of the tie will earn £1,125 in prize money and a trip to Lydd Town or Camberley Town in the next round on Saturday, August 26.

Deal won at home to a Gillingham XI on Tuesday in their latest pre-season friendly, as midfielder Billy Munday scored the only goal of the game.