Top scorer Tom Chapman admits the standard of Isthmian South East football is much higher than when he last played at the level – even as Deal thrive in the division.
Steve King’s Hoops, who were last season’s Southern Counties East Premier Division champions, have settled into life at Step 4 and are on the fringes of the play-off positions in eighth.
Chapman – who still plays alongside brother Ben – previously plied his trade in the old Ryman League, Division 1 South, for Ramsgate.
He said: “It’s been a good few years since I’ve been involved in it!
“The standard is definitely much better than when I was last in this league.
“With teams spending what they’re spending, you have got players that really shouldn’t be in the league – they should be playing higher – but that’s just great experience to learn off.”
Chapman leads the way for Deal by some distance with 16 goals – but remains modest.
“It’s going all right,” he said. “Obviously, we’re only halfway through the season and I will hope to continue to add to that tally but it’s going well.”
Only Ramsgate and Sittingbourne have scored more league goals than the Hoops.
“As you go up the leagues, the standard obviously increases,” said Chapman.
“But a lot of teams go a bit more full-out attack against us and that creates more gaps for us forward players.
“It’s definitely fast-paced and that suits us.”
The multi-talented Chapman, who spends his summers as Sandwich Town CC skipper, has also been handed the Deal captain’s armband on occasion as club skipper Kane Smith recovers from a long-term injury. Vice-captain Macca Murray has also been in and out of the side.
Chapman said: “Kane, our actual captain, has been out injured.
“When Macca is involved, he’s skipper but, when he’s not, it’s been great for me to lead the team out.
“It’s very different to leading the cricket team but it’s nice.”
Deal saw the scheduled home game against basement boys Steyning Town fall victim to the weather last weekend.
That came after five matches in a two-week period, however, and Chapman said: “It’s been a hectic Christmas period with a lot of games so a bit of a break isn’t a bad thing.
“But, obviously, it’s never ideal, having a weekend off.”
That spell included fixtures on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – something a lot in the squad may need to get used to again.
“In the Southern Counties East League, you don’t play on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day so that was great,” explained Chapman.
“Obviously, you always tend to play in front of decent crowds in that period.
“It just tests the old legs, playing on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – with a bit of travelling and a Saturday game in between – but it was good.”
While Chapman reiterated boss King’s message that the team’s main focus is on getting the final few points required to secure survival, Deal will be prepared to be ambitious after that, with a top-five finish not out of the equation.
Chapman said: “We have got a lot of Isthmian League experience and, within the camp, we want to push to finish as high as we can.
“As an outsider, you would maybe expect a team to struggle in the league above.
“But within the camp, we’re definitely pushing ourselves to go as high as possible.”
Their successes have come as King continues to put his faith in youth.
Among those handed first-team chances this season have been youth-team players Zak Hammond, Morgan Page and Kaeden Jefferys, while young forward Archie Hatcher arrived in October from neighbours Dover.
“That’s a credit to the club where Kingy and the rest of the coaching staff try to give the young lads that experience,” said Chapman.
“They’re the players that are coming through. Hopefully, they’ll be playing this standard of football for a long time.
“They have not looked out of place at all and that’s been a great sign.”
Next up is this Saturday’s match on Three Bridges’ new 3G pitch, with the west Sussex side having beaten King’s men 3-2 in the FA Cup in August 2022.
Chapman said: “We played them a few years ago at their place.
“But they have just put a 3G pitch down and they have just started playing their games on that.
“I’m sure, with the new 3G pitch, they will be pretty tough opposition to face and they got a good result against Ashford at the weekend [winning 3-2], as well.
“But we will definitely be looking to win. I think Three Bridges play in a pretty similar way to us with a forward line that’s pretty dangerous.
“Hopefully, it will be a decent game.”
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