Harry Seaden has signed for Margate - with manager Reece Prestedge revealing he had looked to recruit the goalkeeper in pre-season.

Seaden has linked up with Gate and made his debut in Saturday’s success at Concord Rangers.

The 22-year-old only joined division rivals Hornchurch in the summer after featuring 52 times for Billericay last season.

He found first-team opportunities limited, though, and is expected to become Prestedge’s No.1 after Damian Niemczycki departed on the eve of the competitive campaign.

“I actually spoke to Harry in the summer before we signed Damian,” said the Gate boss.

“He was going to other clubs - National League South clubs [on trial] - which is fine. We then signed Damian, which we thought was a good signing.

“But when we made the decision to let Damian go, Harry came up again. I thought it was the best fit, to be honest.

“He was excellent against Concord.

“He did exactly what we wanted. He dictates by being nice and loud, and organising.

“That’s what you want from your keeper.”

Prestedge also paid tribute to teenager Reece Hobbs who played their opening two games.

“Reece has been excellent,” he noted.

“Fair play to him, he’s got thrown in the deep end but came into his own. We had a chat with him and he knew we would always go this way.

“But he has already gained valuable experience.”

Goals by skipper Sam Blackman and frontman Steve Cawley helped Margate beat Concord 2-1. Prestedge wasn’t totally satisfied with what he saw, though.

He reflected: “It was a good win, to be fair.

“I think Concord is a very hard place to go - as many people will know. It’s never easy at Concord.

“Even though it’s a 2-1 win and that’s what the aim is - to get three points - we had a good chance to see the game out early doors. But we made it hard for ourselves.”

Both of Gate’s goals came inside the opening 10 minutes before the hosts, who ironically had Niemczycki between the sticks and also brought ex-Gillingham and Margate midfielder Billy Knott off their bench, came back into it.

Rangers have suffered three straight league losses and Prestedge said: “They have had quite a tough start so we wanted to get at them early and go from there, really.

“We executed that, first 10 minutes, but unfortunately, we gave them a leg up.”

For Cawley, it was his first competitive Margate goal. Player-coach Phil Roberts and player-assistant Ben Greenhalgh, as well as Blackman, also have netted inside their first three games.

Prestedge, whose side lost 4-1 at much-fancied Hornchurch last Tuesday despite Greenhalgh’s goal, said: “I was pleased for Steve.

“That’s what you want from your striker - an early goal in the season to push them on a little bit.

“But we’re actually scoring all over the pitch, which is nice to see. We’re not just relying on one player. Robbo’s got two, Ben has one, and Steve and Sam now have got one each as well.

“It’s good to see we’re scoring from different positions. We lacked that last year, I think.”

Gate have pushed forward their home fixture against Cheshunt to Friday night to give their players extra time to prepare for a Bank Holiday derby at Folkestone on Monday.

On that decision, Prestedge explained: “I know Craig Edwards and I know their assistant [Ugo Udoji] very well.

“I just said ‘With the quick turnaround, would you maybe be interested in doing it on Friday?’ They were keen on it, as well.

“It gives an extra day’s recovery for Monday.”

Youngster Skye Salmon started ahead of Tyrone Sterling, the experienced defender nursing a minor knock, and Prestedge said: “He was excellent and probably my man-of-the-match if I’m honest.”

Margate have been drawn away to Hendon in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.