The Dorking Wanderers B team took maximum points from the Summer Bank Holiday Weekend and in some style after defeating Arundel in an 8-3 thriller at Meadowbank last Saturday afternoon, before seeing off Banstead Athletic 0-5 this past Monday.

After a ten day break from action and a disappointing defeat in the Peter Bentley Cup away to Alfold last time out, Charlie Dunne’s side wasted no time looking to get back on track last weekend.

Attacking midfielder Miguel Rodriguez, who starred for the successful Wanderers U16 Elite side last season, came into the starting line up for his debut against Arundel, and played his part in a rapid start to the game which saw Wanderers open the scoring with just a couple of minutes on the clock, playing a through ball into the path of midfielder Ted Sullivan, who beat the keeper with a composed first-time finish.

From there, the game veered back and forth basketball style as both sides looked to push forwards; Arundel skipper Steve Herbet getting his side back on terms with a close range finish on the quarter hour, only for Wanderers to quickly establish a two-goal cushion with Sullivan key in the build up both times as striker Jacob Todman and wing-back Wilf Douglas made it 3-1. Goalkeeper Sam Allison, also in for his competitive debut for today’s game, made a top save in a one-on-one but couldn’t prevent the rebound being bundled home by Josh Castle as Arundel pulled a goal back, although Wanderers did restore the two goal advantage just before the interval; Todman netting his second of the afternoon after good attacking play down the left.

Within a minute of the restart, James Laws made it 5 with a confident strike which flew across the Arundel keeper to the find the bottom corner, fellow attacking midfielder Liam Manby then very quickly making it 6 with a composed finish inside the box. Tijan Sparks halved the deficit for the away side with a finish inside the six yard box, but inside the final 15 minutes Wanderers added a further two goals to add even greater emphasis to the scoreline. Laws and Sullivan combined well before setting up sub Ollie Rawlins for a comfortable finish, the final goal of the afternoon then scored by the debuting Rodriguez, sending the ball over the line after Sullivan’s fierce effort had been initially kept out.

Just 48 hours later, the B’s would make the short trip across Surrey to Chessington & Hook’s Chalky Lane ground to take on Banstead Athletic. The only change from Saturday would see Brandon Engstrom replace Joel Brown in central midfield.

Keeper Sam Allison was called into early action with a couple of keys saves as Wanderers weathered early pressure from the hosts in the opening ten minutes, but as the half wore on they grew into the game, Manby, Todman and Laws all going close before the deadlock was broken on 28 minutes; Manby carving out space near the edge of the area and getting a strike off, the Banstead keeper making a good save but Todman fasted on the scene to bundle the ball home.

A goal up at the break, Wanderers dominated proceedings following the interval, continuing to pass the ball well and at pace, but had to be patient to get the all-important second goal. It did finally arrive with 20 minutes to go, Sullivan powerfully heading home a corner ball delivery from Douglas.

With the introduction of the Rawlins not long afterwards, last season’s top scorer for the B’s would go on to take the headlines and well and truly put the game to bed by netting an impressive hat-trick in the space of the remaining twenty minutes.

The striker did brilliantly to drag the ball from his marker at the edge of the box before driving a clinical low finish into the bottom corner, then adding his second with five minutes to go after fellow sub David Obeng-Adjei doggedly won the ball back in the right channel and cut back for Rawlins, who fizzed a first time strike almost nonchalantly into the top corner. The hat-trick was completed entering stoppage time; Douglas dispatching another measured corner ball delivery, Rawlins available in enough space to volley home from 12 yards out.

The victory over Banstead not only extended Wanderers winning run but was also a first victory and clean sheet registered on the road this term, keeper Sam Allison and the back three of Jay Richardson, Ellis Dunn and captain Neo Wooster collectively excellent in the win last Monday morning.

The performances of academy graduate Joel Brown and second year student Ollie Rawlins in the early part of the season for Wanderers B have seen the duo called up to the first team squad for the visit to Eastbourne Borough this weekend.

The B’s meanwhile will be aiming to make it 5 wins from 5 with East Preston the visitors to Meadowbank in a 3pm kick off on the final day of the month Saturday afternoon.