Boss Steve King won’t get carried away at Deal Town - despite a near-perfect pre-season.

The Hoops have won the first seven of their warm-up fixtures as they prepare for life in Isthmian South East.

Deal were 3-1 victors at last term’s Southern Counties East Premier Division play-off finalists Corinthian at the weekend as Wes Hennessey, Josh Vincent and Morgan Page found the target.

King, whose team beat a young Gillingham XI 4-1 thanks to goals from Ben Chapman, Ashley Miller, Kayden Jefferys and Alex Smith last midweek, said: “Pre-season is pre-season, isn’t it?

“You cannot read too much into it. But I would prefer to win seven out of seven than to lose six games out of seven.

“We know Corinthian will be in and around it in their league. It was quite nice to get three goals on Saturday.

“Apart from a young Gillingham side, we have played lower-league opposition so far. We have kept the momentum going from last season.

“But it’s only pre-season - I’m experienced enough and have been around long enough to know that you get zero points in pre-season - but I’m pleased with how it has gone.”

Deal are scheduled to end their pre-season campaign at home to Southern Counties East Division 1 Faversham Strike Force on Saturday. First-half goals from Macaulay Murray and Jamie Kennedy saw the Hoops saw to a 2-1 victory at ambitious Isthmian Premier team Folkestone on Tuesday.

King, speaking on Monday, said: "We have the Folkestone game.

“We know that will be very difficult. I will be very surprised if they’re not in the play-offs in the Isthmian Premier Division.

“We then have got Faversham Strike Force at the weekend to just get minutes into other boys. We have tried to build it up a little bit.

“But we have got eight pre-season games - you can win all eight, or lose all eight, you still start on zero points.

“I’m not getting carried away but we’re relatively happy.”

As well as the first team, King is heavily invested in the Hoops’ youth-team set-up and has relished the chance to give some of their Kent Youth League Premier Division under-18 players first-team action.

He said: “We have been able to get the youngsters some good minutes.

“We’ve worked hard with our youth team, I’ve run the under-18s for a few years now.

"We have given some of them some minutes and they haven’t let themselves down.”

But one player who has left the club is Henry Newcombe.

The goalkeeper was dealt a campaign-ending knee injury in January and, despite having been involved in pre-season alongside Adam Molloy - signed to help fill the void Newcombe left - he’s decided to move on.

“Henry has been with us in pre-season,” King explained.

“In my opinion, he’s not fully fit.

“He’s fit enough to play - but not fully fit. He has now decided to take a little break from the game to focus on his coaching a bit more.

“But he’s a good goalie. He’s popular in the group and always has been around the club as well, so I wish him all the best.”

On social media, Newcombe wrote: “Wishing everyone associated with Deal Town the very best!

“It’s been a privilege to represent my hometown club over the past two years.”

Defender Tamas Amgbaduba has joined Isthmian Premier outfit Dover.

Amgbaduba, the brother of Whites summer signing striker Eniye Amgbaduba, played for Isthmian North Walthamstow last term.

He scored for Dover in their 2-2 draw at Whitstable, defender Harrison Pont also netted, last Tuesday.

Whites were 3-2 home winners against National League South Welling thanks to goals from George Nikaj, George Wilkinson and a trialist on Saturday.

Ex-Dover striker Reece Grant was sent off in the first half for the Wings after coming together with Pont.

Whites will host National League South side Tonbridge on Saturday.