Striker Dean James has made a good early impression at Deal.

James joined from Southern Counties East Premier Division rivals Hollands & Blair ahead of their match against Whitstable.

He was thrown into Deal’s starting line-up as late goals from captain Kane Smith and Jack Penny earned them a 2-1 victory last Tuesday before he also started on Saturday in the 2-2 draw at Tunbridge Wells.

James wasn’t considered for Tuesday's home fixture against his former club due to an agreement between the teams, Alfie Foster scoring for the Hoops in a 1-1 draw, but James will be available once again when they visit Phoenix Sports this Saturday, kick-off at 2pm.

“To be fair, he has come in and played Tuesday and Saturday,” said Deal boss Steve King on Monday. “We got it over the line last Monday night.

“He’s a player we are looking forward to getting in training and blending in more with us because we have thrown him in. He’s a powerful boy and he works really hard.

“Obviously, it’s a shame not to be able to use him against Hollands & Blair but he’s available against Phoenix and going forward from there.”

A topsy-turvy encounter at the Culverden Stadium saw Deal trail after four minutes before hitting back three minutes later. They also led in the 75th minute before settling for a point.

King reflected: “It was a fair result.

“It’s one of those, on the morning of the game, a point is not the worst result in the world. But obviously, we want to win games of football and so to give away a lead is frustrating.

“I don’t think it’s the worst point in the world but it’s tinged with a bit of disappointment.”

Ben Chapman was influential, netting Deal’s first goal and winning a penalty for their second, frontman Aaron Millbank putting away the spot-kick, before Tunbridge Wells equalised not long after.

“He was outstanding to be fair,” King said. “He scored the first goal and won the penalty for the second.

“I think he must have covered every blade of grass. But Ben has been doing that for a number of years, whether he’s scoring goals or not.

“He had a little bit of a quiet season by his own standards last season, but he has started really well this season and he was excellent on Saturday.”

Brother Tom Chapman has also recently returned to the fold after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

King said: “We have looked after him and not rushed him back with his hamstring. It’s good.

“He got 90 minutes against Whitstable and another 90 minutes on Saturday. Fingers crossed, he’s back fit now. We know what a key part of the team he is.”

The second-placed Hoops face another stiff test of their promotion credentials when they visit Phoenix, managed by Steve O’Boyle.

“They have got a squad to get promotion,” King said.

“They have a lot of experience in Dave Martin and Andy Pugh.

“I would imagine, after 38 games, Boyley and their management team will want to be in the top two places.

“We respect teams but we don’t fear anyone. We know, on our day, we can match anyone in the league.

“But these are the games I want to be involved in.

“I know, being in SCEFL for a number of years, the sides up there continue to perform over 38 games.

“As much as Saturday is important, it’s just another game and another three points to play for. Our aim is to find that consistency.

“If we go to Phoenix and win, it will not make us favourites for promotion. But if we go to Phoenix and get beaten, it doesn’t rule us out at all.”

Deal are contending with several minor knocks but long-serving striker Connor Coyne, who went away to celebrate his 30th birthday, is back and started at Tunbridge Wells and against Hollands & Blair who ended the match with 10 men.