Tate steps up for hat-trick double

'We made a shaky start against Chertsey and they went 1-0 up before Dan Gilbert got our equaliser, rounding the goalkeeper and scoring from an acute angle.

'They went 2-1 up immediately after the break but then we had a bit of fortune when the Chertsey goalkeeper's clearance struck one of his own players and fell for Wes Tate to knock in.

'For our third Darren Beard then put Wes away and he scored with an early shot and the fourth came from the penalty spot.

'The one bad moment was when Kieron Howard and a Chertsey player were sent off late on after a flare-up.'

Wealden might have relaxed on Tuesday after that victory but Gander was having none of it.

He said: 'It could have been after the Lord Mayor's Show but we wanted to get it right and we did.

'To be fair Westfield did have a few injuries after Saturday but we walloped them and could have had a few more.

'We're not getting carried away at this stage but we are in a nice position.

'Tate's hat-trick came in the first 20 minutes this time and the first two were similar, he showed great strength to hold off defenders.

'The third came from the penalty spot after a foul on Oliver Howcroft, a lad who was with me at Wick and who has been travelling.'

The fourth was an own goal, and Tobi Hutchinson got the fifth.

On Saturday Wealden, who are second in the County division two, are at home to leaders Pagham in the first round of the RUR Cup.

Wealden go to Banstead Athletic in the first round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday, October 7.

Wealden (v Chertsey): Moffavagh, Garrod, L Howard, Howcroft, Parker, Piper (Poulton), Knowles, K Howard, Ottley, Tate, Gilbert (Beard).

Wealden (v Westfield): Moffavagh, Garrod, L Howard (Poulton), Howcroft, Parker, Piper, Knowles, K Howard, Ottley (Beard), Tate, Hutchinson (Ward).