Player-manager Ben Greenhalgh is pleased to see goalscoring duties being shared around between Margate’s forward players in pre-season.

While Isthmian South East Gate have netted 11 times during their first five warm-up games, scoring responsibilities had been shared out much beyond just strikers Ibrahim Olutade and Lukas Franzen-Jones.

James Bessey-Saldanha netted alongside the boss in a 2-2 home draw against Isthmian Premier Dartford last Tuesday before Margate were edged out 2-1 at National League South side Tonbridge last weekend despite Jordan Ababio’s goal.

“That was one of our main objectives - to get a good frontline with a lot of depth and a lot of options,” said playmaker Greenhalgh.

“We want to entertain and we want to be scoring.

“The good thing is all the attacking players offer something different. Some will hold the ball up, others will run in behind.

“There’s some decent competition already between the strikers and the other attacking players.

"We have got so many different options and all the attacking players have the mentality to push each other - whether they have played 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 90 minutes.

“If we’re all really demanding from each other, that should lead to a really good season.”

Winger Ababio had actually given Gate the lead at Longmead on 26 minutes, although Jay Saunders’ side were ahead just 11 minutes later.

Ex-Angels player Greenhalgh reflected: “First away game for us, it was a really good game to have, playing against Tonbridge Angels and Jay with them being two divisions above.

“Their pitch is such a different pitch. Don’t get me wrong, Margate is a big pitch but it was a good test to see where we’re at.

“In the first 15 or 20 minutes, we pressed really well and probably should have scored a few goals.

“Jay put out some trialists and we didn’t see Waggy (skipper Scott Wagstaff) or Sean Shields. But a lot of their trialists are coming out of full-time football.

"Sometimes, these games are harder in pre-season because those players are dying to get a deal.

“The goals we let in were quite avoidable, we got counter-attacked on. It shows there’s still things to work on.

“We only scored the one goal on Saturday. Come the start of the season, we might pick on that a little bit.

"But we are scoring goals in general and we missed some big, late, chances on Saturday.

“Overall, it was good.”

Two of Gate’s three trialists were involved at Tonbridge.

“We have always had the same three trialists from the beginning,” said Greenhalgh.

“We’re discussing options with them. We were always keen to keep them around, it’s just sorting out what role they require and what we require.

“It’s good to see the younger players coming through, as well.

“Vinnie Bowman is still coming through and full-time clubs are still looking at him. Loui Hoxha from the under-23s has been involved and done well. It’s a credit to those trialists and the young players.

“I’ve done a lot of pre-seasons with a lot of different clubs and it’s just all gelled together - including the trialists and the under-23s.”

Margate, due to visit last season’s Southern Counties East Premier Division play-off finalists Corinthian tonight, are at ambitious Isthmian Premier outfit Folkestone on Saturday (kick-off 1pm).

Greenhalgh said: “Tuesday is a brilliant game to have with Corinthian.

"We have got a good relationship with them, a lot of their young players were with me at Dartford. We have taken Brandon (Davey) from them.

"Obviously, it's on a grass pitch. It's our first grass pitch in pre-season.

"Then, from what everyone seems to be saying about Folkestone, I guess they’ll want to win the division.

“They will be well-organised. With the start of the season a few weeks away, I guess they will be quite strong.

“It will be a really good test.”

Goals from striker Joe Taylor, substitute Zak Jobe and a trialist saw Ramsgate to a 3-2 friendly victory against FC Elmstead last Friday evening.

The Rams had been due to play Sutton Athletic tonight but they have since pulled out, being replaced by Ramsgate Athletic.

Two new signings were set to be announced ahead of kick-off.

Ramsgate are scheduled to host Brentwood on Saturday (3pm).