Manager Steve King admits simply too many players were unavailable for Deal’s opening-day defeat at Fisher.

The Hoops, who came third last season and one of the Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion favourites, went down 3-1 despite striker Aaron Millbank’s first-half effort on Saturday.

King isn’t usually one for excuses. He was without suspended defender Alex Green, Rory Smith and Alex Smith - still playing cricket for Sandwich Town - alongside Macauley Murray, Tom Chapman, Jack Hanson and Max Niblett among others this time, though.

“We’re very disappointed,” Deal’s boss said.

“I’m not one for making excuses, but we played with 12 players unavailable. It’s very difficult for any side to overcome that.

“We didn’t play very well on the day but, when I could field an 11 who were unavailable, it was very difficult.

“But we are not going to panic.”

Even skipper Kane Smith and Joe Reeves, coming back from injuries, were on the injury-hit team’s bench, the latter playing the last 20 minutes.

King added: “We have not got any injuries that are long, long-term, but still a few that will be a few weeks.”

Their first competitive clash came after they went down 5-3 at home to National League South Dover last Tuesday in front of more than 1,000 fans, despite a Ben Chapman brace and an effort from Rory Smith.

On the Smith duo’s absence as they continue to play cricket at weekends, King said: “It’s just frustrating when we have so many other people unavailable.

“But I would prefer to have someone like Rory for 50 games out of 55 than not at all.

“I thought he was unbelievable against Dover and we envisaged he will play a key part for us. We knew about Alex and him playing cricket.

“Every team will have a period like that - it’s just strange it’s happened for us right at the start of the season.”

There was also a competitive Deal debut for youngster Elliott Moore at Fisher, the 18-year-old having joined on a dual-registration basis from Isthmian Premier team Folkestone.

King, who watched him last term at Gillingham and on loan with Kennington, revealed: “He actually did the first couple of weeks of pre-season with us.

“He then went to Folkestone. He wants to play as high as he can - I fully respect that.

“Folkestone were keen on him but I spoke to Mev [joint-boss Micheal Everitt] and he wants him to get first-team football.

“If he does very well, I’m sure they will look to take him back.

“For him, it’s been a bit tough. He came straight in against Dover and then played on Saturday.

“But he’s a player we really like.”

Deal host Combined Counties League Premier Division South Guildford City in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round this Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to it,” said King.

“It’s the FA Cup. Anyone who says they’re not looking forward to playing in the FA Cup is a liar. We’ll have some bodies back.

“Fisher is one of the toughest places to go away from home and, even when we won 1-0 away last season, we had a full-strength side.

“We know Guildford is going to be tough this weekend, but we’re at home.

“We’re looking forward to putting in a good performance in front of a good crowd.”

Green, who’s 20, will return from his ban while the winners of the tie will earn £1,125.

Runners-up to Punjab United last term, Deal have been drawn at home to Holmesdale in the Preliminary Round of the Kent Senior Trophy on September 16.