A big FA Vase match awaits in-form Deal this Saturday.

Steve King’s Hoops, challenging for Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion this season, will face Cobham at the Charles Sports Ground in a last-32 tie and are unbeaten in 11 games.

Cobham are languishing at the wrong end of Combined Counties Premier Division South. While King previously had suggested Deal would be favourites, he won’t underestimate their weekend visitors.

He revealed: “We have had them watched.

“We know plenty about them. We will be prepared for Saturday. They’re a decent side.

“They’re not pulling up any trees in their league - but they have had some very good results along the way. My information seems to suggest that they’re a team that can really get up for the big games.

“They drew with Jersey Bulls recently and Jersey Bulls are a strong outfit. They won at Egham in the last round of the Vase. We went there in the FA Cup last year and I thought they were a really good Step Five side.

“We know we’re going to have to be right at it on Saturday. But we’re probably one of the form Step Five sides in the whole of the country.

“We will go into it pretty excited, looking to play on the front foot.”

The Hoops have one of the biggest average attendances in their division - and even took a big away contingent to Holmesdale as they drew 1-1 in the league last Saturday - and King hopes a bumper crowd will watch the Vase tie.

“We had brilliant support at Holmesdale again,” said King.

“I know it sounds stupid but the crowd was 78 - and we had at least 50! It’s a really difficult place to get to.

“Our support at Faversham was outstanding as well.

“We’re hoping for a big crowd on Saturday and we just want to go and entertain people.

“As a manager, my coaching staff - and us as a group - we want anyone who comes to watch us to enjoy watching us. I think a lot of people do.

“We play with a desire and a bit of passion, and try to play attacking football. That’s really helped with the club.

“Let me be really clear, if we’re to be successful in the next four months, our support is going to be a crucial part to that.”

Games are coming thick and fast for 2000 FA Vase winners Deal, who have a league derby at Lydd next Wednesday.

King, who may sign someone ahead of their Vase clash, said: “I think every game is a big game for us at the minute.

“It’s sort of just moulded into being a league game. When you’re in Holmesdale’s position - where we have been in the past - mid-table in the league, they’re not going to go up and they’re not going to go down, an FA Vase Fourth-Round tie is a massive focus.

“I think their manager (Andy Constable) came out after Saturday’s game and said that they weren’t really worried about the result. They just wanted a good performance going into this weekend’s game.

“Obviously, for us, every game is massive.

“Lydd on Wednesday in the league, that’s at least as big, if not bigger.

“We’re relishing being in and among the top-end of the table and these cup competitions.

“It means we have something to play for every single game.”

The Hoops’ 10-match winning run was ended at Holmesdale as a stoppage-time leveller deflected off young defender Alex Green, making his 50th club appearance, to cancel out top scorer Aaron Millbank’s goal.

Even after being pegged back, the away side hit the post.

King reflected: “I have mixed feelings, to be honest.

“I don’t think it was a decent point - we wanted to win the game.

“Whenever you concede in the 93rd minute, you’re really frustrated.

“We played very well, other than the last bit, which was our finishing. But, obviously, we’re disappointed to drop two points in a game we dominated.

“I did the video on Monday and we had I think 22 shots to their four. But we only hit the target four times.

“They worked hard, fair play to them, they made it difficult for us.

“At 1-0, there was always a chance (they would equalise) and there was a big deflection on a strike from outside of the box.

“We ended up dropping two points. I thought it was a game we wanted to win and should have won.

“I was pleased with the performance.

“That causes me no concern but I’m frustrated we didn’t pick up all three points.”

Defender Ife Oni pulled out in the warm-up at Holmesdale while fellow defender Alfie Foster, utility player Joe Reeves and striker Connor Coyne were sidelined.

But King said none are likely to be out for long, adding: “Our only longer-term absentee at the minute is Alex Smith, who has broken a bone at the top of his foot.

“He will be out for a couple of weeks.”

The winner of Deal’s FA Vase match against Cobham will earn £1,875.

The Hoops beat Division 1 Staplehurst 5-1 in a heavily-rearranged Challenge Cup clash on Tuesday.

Two-goal Rory Smith, Jack Penny, substitute Jamie Kennedy and Wes Hennessey did the damage despite goalkeeper Henry Newcombe and midfielder Jack Hanson coming off in the first half.