Deal boss Derek Hares concedes preparations for their Kent Senior Trophy quarter-final this weekend haven’t been ideal.

They were left without a fixture again last Saturday, with their home match against Bearsted postponed due to Covid cases in the away side’s camp.

It means the fifth-placed Southern Counties East Premier Division outfit have only played one competitive match since December 18.

“It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just one of those things,” admitted Hares.

“But it just seems to be happening a lot to us at the moment! It’s frustrating.

“We cannot get going, really, but it’s out of our hands.

"The boys have been training but it’s not the same as playing games.”

Hares has been with Deal for a long time, having originally become first-team manager in 2003 - but this is a new experience even for him.

“We have never had to deal with Covid before until recently, to be fair,” he said. “We have had a run of cancellations on the trot through the weather before, but not like this.

“Obviously, we played K Sports on Bank Holiday Monday but I think we have not played now for the last four Saturdays.

“I think the weather is going to be all right so there should not be any problems this Saturday - as long as both sides stay Covid free.”

Third-placed Glebe arrive after losing their FA Vase last-32 match at Hamworthy United 3-2 last weekend, having gone into a 2-0 lead. But Glebe responded on Tuesday night as they won 2-0 against Sheppey.

“We know it’s a big challenge,” said Hares.

“They lost in the FA Vase. Does that make them more determined or are they still a bit disappointed after going out? I’m not sure, but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves.

“We beat them at home in the league - that will have no bearing on Saturday’s game - but it shows we are capable.

“It’s probably one of the most important games of the season so far for us. We are still in two cup competitions and doing really well in the league, so it’s all to play for.

“There will be a good crowd on Saturday.

"It would be nice if we could get a win and get to the semi-finals, and then, who knows?”

The Hoops host Canterbury City in the league on Tuesday, with City having appointed Keith Bird as their new manager.