Boss Derek Hares sees no reason why Deal Town can’t finish in the Southern Counties East Premier Division top six this season.

Deal returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 3-0 success over Welling Town after their 10-match unbeaten run was ended by Fisher last time out.

The Hoops are fifth, six points behind leaders Sheppey, although the Ites have a game in hand.

Hares said: “I would like to think we would be able to finish in the top six this season, but there are a lot of games still to play and we are just looking forward to the next game.

“In our league, there are teams like Chatham, Sheppey and Glebe. They are not losing many points between them.

“So we just need to keep going and see where it takes us. But it’s a good start.

“I think that’s one defeat in 12 now. If we only lose one of our next 12, then I’ll be very happy!”

Deal bounced back from their Fisher setback thanks to a Rene Rivera brace and left-back Liam Hark’s stunning 25-yarder.

Hares admitted: “It was the perfect response, really.

“Sometimes, when you get a defeat, it can knock you back but the boys responded really well.

“It was a good, solid, all-round performance. We scored three really good goals, especially the second from Liam Hark.

“It was one of the best goals I have seen at Deal for a long time.

“We needed it as well.

"I always thought throughout the game we were the better side, if I’m honest, but at 1-0 anything can happen. Once the second goal went in, it certainly made things a lot easier.”

The match against Welling was the first of six successive home fixtures in November for Deal, who host Hollands & Blair this Saturday. Blair appointed former Whitstable and Hythe boss Scott Porter as their new manager on Tuesday.

So Hares was delighted to see 288 fans flock to the ground.

He said: “It’s like that for any team, isn’t it? If you get results, people want to come and watch.

“Overall, the team has been playing well and, hopefully, people are enjoying watching the games. We have got around the 250 to 300-mark this season.

“It’s really appreciated by everyone at the club and especially the players. It helps to spur them on.

“It’s a very important month for us. We have Hollands & Blair this weekend and Chatham in midweek at the end of the month, as well as some really tough cup games.

“But when we are playing well, I’m confident that we can beat anybody.”

Deal will host Canterbury in the SCEFL Challenge Cup on Tuesday, November 23.

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