Wingate & Finchley forward David Knight believes the club can challenge for the Ryman League Premier Division play-offs this season - and he is confident he will score the goals to take them there.

Knight, who signed for Wingate in the summer from Thurrock, has enjoyed an excellent start to life at the Harry Abrahams Stadium, scoring seven goals in his opening eight matches for the club.

His goals have helped Wingate gain 16 points from their first eight league fixtures of the season, leaving them third in the table.

The forward was unable to find the net during Saturday’s 1-0 win over AFC Hornchurch or Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Witham Town.

But he believes the club can reach the play-offs, despite the Blues suffering relegation and then earning a reprieve a month after the culmination of last season.

Knight told Ham&High Sport: “It is a new season, new players have come into the club. I have joined the club and there is a really great spirit in the changing room and we are just taking every game as it comes.

“Can we compete for a play-off spot? I think everyone would take that from last year.

“I think we can [challenge], especially if we keep going the way we have been going – keep everyone grounded and not get too hyped up.”

Knight scored 37 goals last season in Ryman Division One North with Thurrock, and he has praised the facilities at Wingate and the brand of football that head coach Daniel Nielsen is implementing as some of the reasons why he joined the club.

“It is a good club and that is what I wanted really,” said Knight. “They have a lovely pitch, lovely facilities and they play good football, which helps.

“It isn’t all long ball, we actually play football and we score goals from it and it is going well.”

Although Knight has moved up a division, he is more than confident he can replicate his goal tally from last season.

“I have played Ryman Premier before, I have scored goals there, so it didn’t really worry me going up again because I knew if I got the service I would score goals,” he said.

“I scored on my debut [against Leiston], I was happy with that, and then I went on to score two against Hampton & Richmond Borough and got a hat-trick at home against Bury Town.

“I scored 37 goals last year so anywhere around there I will be happy with. I am more than confident I can do that, I have started off well so if I can get anywhere around 37 I will be happy.”