Deal manager Steve King knew not to panic at the start of the season and is now reaping the rewards.

The Hoops had 12 players missing when they kicked off the new campaign in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division and King kept his cool as those early games went against them.

His side finished third last season and Deal have got themselves well placed again. They went into last night’s game at Bearsted sixth in the table off the back of a 4-1 weekend win against Holmesdale.

They scored another four on Tuesday night, beating the Bears 4-2. Aaron Millbank scored two of the goals, including one from near the halfway line.

With two points from their first four league games, King has definitely seen an upward trend, as he expected.

“We had to stay calm and we left it for other people outside the group to panic,” he said.

“We knew we had some really good results in pre-season. We went and beat Herne Bay who have done very well in the league and we gave Dover a really good game. We knew we weren’t miles off where we wanted to be but we had players unavailable and the biggest thing we did was that we didn’t panic.

“We did what we could, we accepted losing without getting rid of players or worrying and this is what we’re capable of doing, so all good.

“I have been in and around it for eight or nine years and you see quite a lot but if I was first or second season involved then you might panic a bit quicker.

“From our point of view we were confident of the squad that we had, it was just about trying to limit the damage and just to manage fans’ expectations during that, but everyone goes through it.

“I think that when it’s at the start of the season it just gets highlighted more because you are bottom of the table.

“But if we went four games without a win now people won’t think it’s a disaster because we are still up and around the play-offs.”

King wasn’t taking their midweek opponents lightly with the Bears just a couple of points behind ahead of that clash.

He said: “We look at every game in this league confident that if we get to our levels we will be very close to winning.”

Deal found themselves a goal down after seven minutes against Bearsted but levelled with a goal in first half stoppage-time. Ben Chapman put them ahead after the break and Millbank extended the lead from the penalty spot.

The Bears didn’t give up as they pulled a goal back and were only denied an equaliser after a couple of top saves from Henry Newcombe.

With five minutes left Millbank found the net from distance to seal another maximum-point haul.

Saturday’s visitors Rusthall sit lower down the table.

Victory last Saturday against Holmesdale came in front of a decent crowd of 382, with the club making the effort to get the game on despite the wet weather.

They were rewarded as Jack Penny gave them a sixth- minute lead and goals from Aaron Millbank and Tom Chapman extended it before the break. Holmesdale got one back but Millbank’s second after the turnaround completed the scoring.

King said: “It was probably 50-50 at best (for the game to be played) but we’ve already had two games postponed so we got the sand out. It was far from ideal conditions, but we got the pitch safe and it was good.

“You always want to get the first goal, especially in those conditions, because it’s not easy to chase the game. To get in front and be 3-0 up in the first half was very pleasing.

“The only disappointment was that we gave away a sloppy goal and we have a habit of doing that.

“It’s not the biggest of issues, but as a coach and a manager it is just frustrating because you want clean sheets and that is something we need to look at but it was another good performance.

“It was nice to get the game on and nice to get the three points.

“Considering the weather that crowd was brilliant. To have close to 400 was outstanding, we’re really pleased. Dover were at home in the FA Trophy and we beat their crowd. It is a real positive.

“The fans get a friendly welcome and the club do a great job in making it a friendly and welcoming environment.

“We have a good team and I think people like watching us play.”