Player-manager Ben Greenhalgh hailed the impact of recent signing TT Walters after his starring role in Margate’s home win over Littlehampton.

Winger Walters set up three of the goals as Gate won 4-1 to consolidate fourth place in Isthmian South East on Saturday.

The ex-Chelsea youth player started the season at Thanet rivals Ramsgate, impressing against Margate in the Kent Senior Cup, before joining Hythe.

He moved to Hartsdown Park at the end of February and has shown why Greenhalgh was so keen to sign him.

“TT’s settled in really well,” said Greenhalgh.

“We’ve kept in touch with him pretty much since he did so well against us for Ramsgate in the Kent Senior Cup.

“We knew he was probably one of the best wingers we’ve played against this season and it was something we were looking to bring in.

“We wanted a bit more liveliness on the wing and a bit of quality at the same time, and he’s added exactly that.

“He got an assist on his first game, a goal on his third game and three assists on Saturday, so his numbers are brilliant and that’s something we’re going to demand out of him because we believe what type of player he is.”

Kai Garande opened the scoring against Littlehampton, with Harvey Brand, Greenhalgh and Max Walsh also on target in a dominant performance.

Greenhalgh brought Sam Blackman and Emmanuel Oke back to the club, at the same time as signing Walters, and feels it’s been a case of existing players adapting to the changes.

“We’ve noticed that we haven’t quite performed in the first half of games and we worked on a lot of things in the week which paid off,” said Greenhalgh.

“We showed a bit better patterns and I think sometimes when you bring new players in it takes a bit of time, not so much for those players, but more for the team to gel again.

“That’s one thing we were really strong at from the start of the season, we had a very good pre-season with the same players and we’ve barely added to it all year.

“But now we’ve added three players who have come in and done really well, sometimes you’ve got to go back a little bit and make sure everyone has the same understanding.”

Margate visit bottom side Steyning Town this Saturday (3pm) needing five more points to reach their pre-season target of 75.

They look secure in the play-offs, enjoying a 12-point cushion over the chasing pack, but Greenhalgh is taking nothing for granted going into the final seven games.

“It’s a funny one because Sittingbourne look like they’re going to get 100 points and not win the league,” he said.

“It’s mental the way it’s going.

“We’re more than on course for our points target but at the same time still nowhere near cemented in the play-offs.

“We’re keeping an eye over our shoulder and still looking above us, to see what we can do, but I think for these seven games it’s about building momentum and we look like we’re doing that again.

“We’ve got two games coming up against teams in the relegation zone but they won’t be easy.

“We know what that’s like because last year at this stage we had eight games to go and only lost one or two and went on a really good winning spree and nearly stayed up in the Isthmian Premier.

“It does become difficult to play against these teams so we have to make sure we’re on it at any time.

“Sometimes you can play against a team in mid-table and their season’s probably done but we haven’t got any games like that where you think the opposition won’t be up for it or won’t turn up.

“Every game we’ve got, they’re all going to be up for it.

“From the start of the season, everyone knew our target was to get to 75 points and it looks like 75 won’t get you in the play-offs.

“Last year, I think 63/64 points got you in there.

“I know two teams have been added, so four extra games, but you still wouldn’t imagine needing more than 75 points to get in any play-offs.

“As a group we’re sticking together and working hard and I think at the right times the right things will happen for us.”