Steve King is embracing the occasion at Deal ahead of a big run of league fixtures.

Having progressed in the FA Vase, the Hoops host Whitstable tonight in the Southern Counties East Premier Division before a trip to Tunbridge Wells, whose form has improved after a slow start to the season, this Saturday.

Early high-fliers Deal are at home to Hollands & Blair on Tuesday and visit Phoenix Sports the following weekend.

It’s perhaps slightly too early to describe the run as season-defining but it certainly could be key.

And it’s a run of fixtures Deal boss King, who had been a coach under former manager Derek Hares since 2015 before taking charge himself in the summer, is looking forward to.

“It’s massive, isn’t it? We have Whitstable tomorrow night which is a massive game,” said King, speaking on Monday.

“Tunbridge Wells is a tough place to go and they have picked up some results. Then we have Hollands & Blair and then we have Phoenix. They’re a massive four games for us.

“But I have been at Deal for a long time, trying to sneak into the top 10.

“So it’s exciting to be in and around the top of the table. We are all looking forward to the little run coming up.”

The Hoops needed a penalty shoot-out to get past Division 1 FC Elmstead on Saturday after a 1-1 draw.

Midfielder Ben Chapman gave the away team an early lead before FC Elmstead hit back and forced a shoot-out which the Hoops won 4-3.

King reflected: “We are pleased to get through. It was a strange game. We started very well and went 1-0 up but conceded a goal out of nothing.

“We huffed and puffed, and never looked like losing the game. But with it going straight to penalties, there’s not much margin for error.

“I don’t believe the theory ‘penalties are a lottery’. We had a plan and knew our penalty takers, and they all executed well.

“Our job on Saturday morning was to be in the hat and we did that. I will not say it was a brilliant performance.

“But Elmstead played well and they had some threats. Lydd knocked out Hollands & Blair and Whitstable have already gone out so, with these 90-minute games and straight to penalties, you just need to get the job done. We did that.”

Herne Bay striker Rory Smith’s dual-registration spell at Deal has ended for now, with Smith scoring for Ben Smith’s side at Aveley in Isthmian Premier last weekend.

“He scored on Saturday, fair play to him,” said King, who is looking to bring in another player to bolster his attacking options.

“He’s a Herne Bay player but we will keep an eye on what happens.”

Deal have been drawn at home to Division 1 Tooting Bec in the first round of the FA Vase.