More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Deal Town have probably trained for the final time this season.
Their session on Tuesday night will be it as the Hoops have midweek games for the rest of the campaign.
They still have 13 Southern Counties East matches to play after Saturday’s postponement at Tunbridge Wells and something has to give.
Boss Derek Hares said: “Last night will be the last time we train properly through to the end of the season.
“Kingy (assistant manager Steve King) does a lot of work on the opposition and normally runs through things on training night but we won’t be able to do that. It will be a case of doing it before the game.
“He’s always going to games and I know most of the teams from the time I’ve been doing it so we’ll have a good idea what they’re going to be like, plus we’ve already played them this season.”
The fixture backlog really starts to bite next month with three games in six days as Deal go to Tunbridge Wells on Thursday, April 2 before home fixtures against Bearsted on Saturday, April 4 and Corinthian on Tuesday, April 7.
That’s followed by three games in five days as Deal entertain Erith & Belvedere on Saturday, April 11, go to Hollands & Blair on Easter Monday (April 13) and take on Glebe at the Charles Ground on Wednesday, April 15.
Hares said: “It’s going to be difficult, especially if we pick up a few injuries.
“It’s asking a lot of everyone but we’ve got to do it. I’m sure everyone will put themselves out.
“Driving two hours to Tunbridge Wells on a Thursday night, after everyone’s been at work, isn’t easy but it’s got to be done.
“I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe we could play a few more games at the start of the season.
“We haven’t got the biggest squad in the world so it’s not as though we can leave three or four out each week.
“We’ve got a squad of 18 really and everyone will be involved.”
Deal are due at AFC Croydon this Saturday, followed by a trip to Bearsted on Tuesday. Sam Alexander (leg) and Ben Chapman (hamstring) are the only absentees.
“We’re OK for numbers at the moment,” said Hares. “It’s probably as good as it’s been for six or seven weeks.”
Deal held their annual meeting at the Charles Ground on Friday night.
It was a cause for celebration as the Hoops reflected on their best FA Vase run in 20 years, increased gates and a solid mid-table performance in the league.
Hares said: “Everyone’s happy with the way things are going but we still need to have a good finish to the season.”
