Tommy Hutchings has no doubt Leatherhead will be well clear of Ryman Premiership danger by Christmas.

The Tanners have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes since Richard Brady replaced Mick Sullivan in October and gave a glimpse of their potential by drawing 1-1 at big spenders Carshalton Athletic on Saturday - Hutchings scoring with a penalty.

They then retained the Isthmian Charity Shield by beating Wingate & Finchley 3-1 on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Kev Terry, new signing Ryan Thomas and Jamie Coyle.

Despite still being second-bottom of the league, Hutchings has no worries about relegation back to Ryman Division One South after just one season in the top flight.

"I have no doubt we will get away from the bottom four," he said.

"I am sure we will be well clear by Christmas.

"We don't fear anyone - we went to Carshalton and picked up a point and we should have had three really.

"If we can outplay a team like Carshalton it gives us a lot of confidence.

"We still need to turn these draws into wins but I am sure we can.

"We have gone from turning losses into draws so we are going in the right direction.

"The atmosphere is brilliant at the minute, a lot of new players have come in but they are good lads and we have good team spirit."

Hutchings's strike on Saturday was his fifth of the season, having missed a large chunk of the start of the campaign with a broken leg, but surprisingly his first in the league.

And he will be looking to add to it against Lewes this Saturday as Leatherhead enter a period of four straight home games.

"It was about time," he added.

"Since I broke my leg it has been a long road to getting back sharp and fresh and when I came back I felt like I had given up most of the time.

"But I just stuck to it and the training is a lot sharper now than it used to be and I feel a lot better about things.

"I have been on a little run of late and hopefully it will continue.

"I would like to get between 20 and 25 goals but it is a new league and to get my first goal in November is not an ideal start."