Derek Hares is warning in-form Deal Town they will need to treat their FA Vase tie this weekend as a totally different match - despite coming up against familiar opposition.

The Hoops, who are flying high in the Southern Counties Premier Division, will play Kennington in a second part of a double-header this Saturday.

Deal won 5-1 at Homelands in the Kent Senior Trophy last weekend.

But Hares said: “We will have to treat this as a completely different game.

“I knew they were a good side before Saturday and nothing has changed. They will be a good side this Saturday.

“But if we play as well as we have done recently, we have got a chance of winning the game.

“I know everyone says it but it’s a case of just taking each game as it comes.”

Deal will be aiming for an incredible ninth successive victory when they host Kennington in their first-round encounter.

Hares says it’s one of the best times he can remember at the club.

“It’s the best for a long, long time,” he said. “I think it’s eight wins on the trot now.

“Defensively, we have looked very strong. James Tonkin didn’t play on Saturday but Kieran Hollier came in and did a great job.

“But we cannot afford to get over-confident because all it takes is one defeat to change everything.”

Deal reached the last 16 in the FA Vase in 2019/20, and they will be looking to have another run in the competition this time around.

He said: “We had a good run in the Vase recently and, hopefully, we can have another run this season.

“Hopefully, we can get into the next round on Saturday but we have to stay focused.

“I think there were 300-odd for the league game (that saw Deal beat Kennington 2-0 in September) and that was in midweek. Hopefully we can get at least that sort of crowd.

“It’s always great to get that kind of support behind you.”

Winger Tom Chapman was credited with a hat-trick in the win against Kennington, although Hares says he felt Sam Wilson got the final touch with one of those goals.

Alfie Foster also scored and the other goal came as a Kennington man put through his own net.

He said: “I have down that Tom got two. I have given one to Sam Wilson!

“But Tom did well for us again on Saturday. He scored two good goals and showed what a good player he is.”

Goalkeeper Tonkin is set to be available after returning from a break.

The winner of the FA Vase tie will pocket £825 in prize money.

Read more: All the latest sports news from Kent