Steve King makes Deal big underdogs for their Bank Holiday clash against Ramsgate.

King’s Hoops will play the first of plenty of Isthmian South East derbies this season at the Charles Sports Ground as they face the Rams - last term’s play-off semi-finalists - on Monday.

“We have got nothing to lose in the Ramsgate game,” said Deal boss King about a match which will see Jack Paxman, Billy Munday, Tom Chapman, Ashley Miller, Rory Smith and Aaron Millbank face their former club.

“They will be heavy favourites for that. They have been very good for the last two or three seasons and Ben (Smith, Ramsgate’s manager) has managed to get most of that squad back together again now. They have signed some good players.

“I know they struggled in pre-season a bit - but they won their first league game and won comfortably against another Step 4 side at the weekend.

“So, we’ll go into Monday as underdogs. We’re just looking forward to the derby and giving it our all.”

The meeting will see King and Smith face one another in a competitive clash for the first time since prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Smith was at Canterbury City when they ground-shared at Deal - and there’s a close working relationship between them, both teachers.

King recalled: “The last time we faced each other would have been when they (Canterbury City) had their FA Vase run. Ben and I have known each other for a long time.

“We’re the same age and Canterbury were ground-sharing at Deal for a couple of seasons when he was there. We have had plenty of good battles but we have helped each other out at times, as well.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him on Monday and coming up against him. I sort of know how his side likes to play and he knows how we like to play.

“Both teams pretty much know the players from the opposition so there’s going to be no surprises.

“But I’ll enjoy coming up against Ben and it should be a good afternoon.”

Before then, the Hoops visit Broadbridge Heath on Saturday - a side thrashed 5-0 at promotion-chasing Sittingbourne on the opening day.

King noted: “We have been doing our homework on them. That started on Sunday.

“We know it’s going to be tough but that’s going to be the story of our season, isn’t it? That’s what happens when you get promoted. Every game is tough.

“We have got a nice, clear week to be able to prepare and, usually, we’re pretty good at bouncing back from disappointment.

“Ultimately, we’re one from one in the league and we have got a chance to try and get some more points.”

Deal lost 2-0 at promotion-chasing Southern Combination League outfit Haywards Heath in the FA Cup preliminary round last weekend.

King reflected: “We were disappointed to get beaten. But they were a strong side, so credit to Haywards Heath. They played very well.

“I thought, first half, we were probably the better side and tried to press them hard because they like to play football. We had some decent chances to score in the first half but we didn’t take them.

“Then, second half, they were the better side and we ran out of steam a little bit in the heat.

“We had worked very hard in the first half and I think it was a game where the first goal was always going to be important.

“Once they got it, we then had to chase the game and they managed it well.”

Technically, it was a cup loss to lower-division opposition.

But King added: “Although they’re a league below, I fully expect them to win that league. I’d expect them to have a good run in the FA Vase.

“When I look at their squad, they’re all Step 4 players. It was certainly the toughest of the three games we have played so far.

“They would have no problems competing in the division that we’re in, in my opinion, so I don’t feel like we have lost to a lower-league side in terms of quality of opposition. It was just disappointing to lose the game.

“I thought we did well in the first half but we didn’t score when we had the pressure and then, when they got on top in the game, they did score twice in five minutes. Then, it becomes difficult.

“We won’t be overreacting because, at the end of the day, you’re never going to win the FA Cup.

“Everybody wants a run but it’s not really been a competition for us in the last few years - and that’s continued.”