A second footballer who is a relative of a Manchester United fans’ favourite tasted defeat against Deal in as many weekends on Saturday.

Steve King’s Hoops came up against on-loan Brighton goalkeeper Lorenz Ferdinand, son of ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand, in their Isthmian South East opener, getting the better of him during their 3-1 win at the Charles Sports Ground.

Deal’s victory against Lancing came just seven days after they had seen off Roffey - captained by Portugal international midfielder Bruno Fernandes’ big brother, Ricardo Fernandes - in a 4-0 FA Cup extra preliminary round win.

“We didn’t know as much about him,” said Hoops manager King. “I think he came in quite late on loan from Brighton.

“He was a young lad, he did well. His distribution was good.

“They looked after the ball quite well at times - but lacked a bit of a goal threat - whereas we maybe were the opposite to that.”

Ferdinand, 18, had been beaten three times inside the first half as the newly-promoted team put themselves into a commanding position.

But Deal goalkeeper Adam Molloy was denied a clean sheet of his own in front of the 462-strong crowd late on when substitute Nalan Lisbie converted a penalty after a foul from midfielder Ben Chapman.

King said: “We were 3-0 up at half-time, which helped, but we played well in the second half and could have scored more goals.

“We had done our homework on Lancing and had a game-plan.

“It was a pretty comfortable afternoon.”

Chapman may have handed Lancing a late spot-kick but had broken the deadlock before forwards Rory Smith and Ashley Miller netted.

“They’re quality players,” noted King. “I’ve said previously that I expect them to be more of a threat at Step 4 than they were at Step 5 with the fact more teams will attack us.

“We didn’t have Ben, Rory and Ashley at the start of last season for a variety of reasons and they’re quality players.

“But with Wes Hennessey and Jamie Kennedy on the bench on Saturday, we have got a lot of strength, as well.

“Rory was man-of-the-match on Saturday and played really well, Ben got his goal, and Tom Chapman played a hand in a couple, as well.

“It was really positive.”

The Hoops now hit the road as they travel to face ambitious Southern Combination League Premier Division joint-frontrunners Haywards Heath in the FA Cup preliminary round this Saturday.

King said: “They got relegated and then just missed out on the play-offs.

“My information suggests they have strengthened well again and they’re very strong favourites for the Premier Division of the Southern Combination League. But we’re looking forward to it.

“We have not reached the FA Cup first qualifying round since 2015 so, despite having a bit of a reputation as a good cup team, we’re not necessarily a good FA Cup side.

“We will do everything to ensure we’re in that draw come Monday morning because that’s when Isthmian Premier sides come in - and we would love to get one of them, especially if it’s a Kent derby.

“Even if we can get a draw on Saturday, then we will take them back down to our place on Tuesday night.”

The winners of the tie will pocket £1,444 in prize money.

Deal have organised a supporters’ coach to head to Haywards Heath which will leave the Charles Sports Ground at 10.30am.

Go to www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/65910? to book a seat.