Deal Town boss Derek Hares believes consistency is key in what is shaping up to be a tight Southern Counties East Premier Division.

The Hoops have drawn two, lost two and won two of their last six league games, the most recent a 2-1 victory at Erith & Belvedere.

Such is the level of competition, 11th-placed Deal sit just four points behind fifth-placed Tunbridge Wells and five behind fourth-placed Canterbury City.

Hares said: “I think that’s what we’re lacking a little – that consistency.

“If you’re winning games that breeds a little bit more confidence but it’s not easy to win any away game in this league.

“We have to make sure we get on a run, we’ve got two big games coming up.

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“If we can string two or three wins together we can push right up the league, but at the same time if you lose two or three you can drop right down.

“We’ve just got to keep going, there’s a long way to go yet, everybody is beating everybody in this league.

“I’d be disappointed if we didn’t finish in the top half. Everybody starts hoping to win the league – that’s difficult in our situation – but we just have to keep going.”

Deal continue their season on Saturday at home to 17th-placed Greenwich Borough, who have won just once in the league so far this campaign.

Hares added: “They’re the dangerous games, you have to make sure your attitude is right.

“Although they’re down the bottom they can still cause an upset, they’ve always a threat going forward and they’ll score.”

A key for Deal moving forward will be turning strong spells into dominant performances across 90 minutes, with a second-half dip against Erith having threatening to be costly.

Hares continued: “I was pleased with the first half. We dominated the first half, really, scored a good goal and possibly could have had a couple more.

“We deservedly went in at half-time 1-0 up. The second half was completely different, they dominated us.

“We had to defend really well and relied on our goalkeeper at times, he made some good saves and saved his third penalty in five days.

“All three subs that came on combined, Billy Munday crossed and Connor Coyne caught it on the volley.

“We’ve been lucky like that, every game this season we’ve had a strong bench and it does make a difference when you can bring people and change the game. Overall, though, I’ve got to
be pleased with the start to the season.”

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