By Kevin Redsull

Deal Town have suddenly found themselves with three weeks off at a time when Derek Hares’ side have just started to find their form in the Bulmers Cider Kent League.

Three wins and a draw in their last four matches represents Deal’s best spell of the season, but they were prevented from having the chance to extend that record when Saturday’s game at leaders Faversham was postponed.

Hares, pictured, said: "It was disappointing because all the players were looking forward to taking on Faversham. I’m not saying we would have beaten them, but I’m sure we would have given them a good game because we are now playing with some confidence."

With no matches scheduled for the Christmas weekend, it means Deal’s next game isn’t until January 2 when they take on bottom-of-the-table Lordswood at home.

Hares added: "At our level, it makes it very difficult to have matches on Boxing Day. Players, referees and supporters have all got family commitments. And it’s not as if you are talking about just a couple of hours, if you are playing away it’s virtually the whole day taken up."

Three players who have not figured in the first-team squad in recent weeks, Michael Cassar, Aaron Robinson and Jamie Marriott, were due to play for the reserves against Folkestone Invicta on Saturday, but with that game also a victim of the weather they will have to wait until January.

Striker Mo Takaloo will also be unavailable for a number of games early in the new year through suspension.