Manager Steve King believes Deal are well prepared for their huge FA Vase tie - but knows they’ll be in for a real examination.

The Southern Counties East Premier Division Hoops visit Hellenic League Premier Division Corsham this Saturday for a place in the last 16.

The Wiltshire side have only lost once on home soil in all competitions this season and King dismissed suggestions by opposite number Kieran Baggs the Hoops will go into the match as favourites.

“Saturday is an absolutely massive game,” said King, whose side host Division 1 frontrunners Snodland in the Kent Senior Trophy quarter-final on January 21.

“We have done our work in the background to make sure we are ready. We are fine on that.

"The pressure is off in a way. They have an exceptional home record.

“Their manager said we were clear favourites - it’ll be interesting to see where they got that from!

“Then, in the Kent Senior Trophy, we have Snodland who haven’t lost in a while. That’s another tough test.

“But bring them on. This is why we give up so much of our time so I’m looking forward to both games.”

No stone has been left unturned by the Hoops, who will stay overnight ahead of the Vase fixture. They had a nightmare trip to Phoenix Sports earlier in the campaign and their boss isn’t prepared to risk a repeat.

He said: “We try to prepare as professionally as possible.

“We looked at the distance we have to travel and the amount we have earned so far [in the FA Vase], and the board is backing us.

“What we don’t want to do is get stuck in lots of traffic. We had a nightmare journey to Phoenix and that’s only one hour up the road.”

Deal, however, won’t be able to call upon Margate loanee Troy Howard and young Dover defender Alex Green.

King said: “We are missing those two because loan players cannot play in the Vase, but we knew about that.

"We have a couple of knocks to look at but we’re in reasonably good shape.”

Deal head into back-to-back cup clashes after last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Punjab, with striker Riley Alford scoring for them.

“We were a little bit disappointed but, on the day, I think it was a fair result,” King reflected.

“They have lost one in eight and pretty much everybody in their squad has higher-league experience.

“The pitch wasn’t the easiest. I’m perhaps not as disappointed now as I was but, obviously, we want to pick up points and win games at home.

“We were delighted to get nearly 400 people on a miserable day at the start of January.

“The support we are getting is allowing the club to build.

"We have always been a club to do things sensibly but it’s enabling us to strengthen the squad.

“The fans who come to watch have a good connection with the squad. It was good to see another good crowd but we want to win games so they go home happy.”

Deal will earn £1,875 in prize money if they beat Corsham.