Teenager Owen Wilkinson has been praised by Deal boss Steve King.

Under-23s forward Wilkinson has already regularly made the Hoops’ first-team matchday squads this season.

And the 17-year-old came off the substitutes' bench in last weekend’s 3-2 comeback Isthmian South East win at East Grinstead as he sets up Ben Chapman’s equaliser.

“I have worked with Owen for the last three years,” said King, who also has been involved in the club’s youth-team set-up in recent seasons. “I’m absolutely delighted to see him coming on and having an impact.

“He did really well for the second goal and did well when we thought we could have had a penalty. He scores for the under-23s every time he plays.

“If he could do what he did on Saturday, like Jamie Kennedy did last year, that’s great.

“We have got Zak Hammond and Morgan Page, as well.

"They’re all 17-year-old lads with really bright futures.”

For Chapman, it was already a fourth goal of the campaign.

It came after midfielder Macauley Murray had converted a penalty won by Ashley Miller, only to trail East Grinstead after a quickfire home double before half-time.

But the Chapman siblings then took centre stage with a late goal apiece to flip the game on its head as Deal bounced back from last Monday’s derby 4-2 defeat against Ramsgate.

While Tom has previously played for Ramsgate, Ben has never played at Step 4 level.

King said: “He’s only played in senior football for Deal.

“I had absolutely no doubts about his ability to step up and score goals at this level. But there’s always a bit of a doubt from some people until someone has done it.

“He’s addressed that pretty early on.

"All of our forward players are quality.”

The Hoops start their maiden FA Trophy campaign at the first qualifying round stage at home to Isthmian South East rivals Ashford, who are managed by Danny Kedwell, on Saturday.

King said: “Ashford have invested very well in the summer. Keds is very experienced and did a great job at Chatham with Kevin Hake.

“They have got Gary Lockyer up front, who is scoring goals for fun. They have been a little bit indifferent in the league but they have done really well in the cups. They got a really good FA Cup win at the weekend.

“We have never been in the FA Trophy before. Similar to the Ramsgate game, we’re quite clear underdogs.

“But, as we did against Ramsgate, we will be giving it our all.”

Deal are at Margate in the league on Tuesday.