Scorer: own goal

Missed opportunities cost the Old Ruts three points as they squandered a host of first-half chances to bury Rusmill.

This came back to haunt them when their opponents took advantage in the second period to run out 3-1 winners, even affording to gift the Ruts an own goal and still win.

A much-improved performance from the Old Ruts couldn't prevent them from slipping to a second successive defeat.

Continental took the lead on the half-hour and scored a crucial second just before the break, but the Ruts were unlucky not to have had a couple themselves by then.

The visitors withstood everything the Ruts threw at them in the second half, but skipper Graham Clayton was not too dispirited after the game: "If we'd played like that last week we'd have won, so there's hope for the future," he said.

Scorer: Russell Nixon

The Old Rutlishians could not capitalise on an excellent start as they slumped to their third defeat in a row.

Russell Nixon scored early on, but two goals in five minutes just before half-time turned the game on its head as Mustard went 2-1 up.

After the break the Ruts attacked in long periods and played well, but despite creating a couple of excellent opportunities they just couldn't equalise.

Mustard broke-away to hit the third after 85 minutes and kill a game the Ruts deserved something from in truth, leaving skipper Graham Clayton to lament his team's lack of cutting-edge.

Scorers: Nick Bondeau (3), Barry Catling (2)

A hat-trick from Nick Bondeau helped the Old Rutlishians to their first win of the season in a match that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

The Ruts dominated and quickly swept into a 3-0 lead courtesy of Bondeau and two goals from Barry Catling, one of which was a superb 25-yard curler.

Oakway pulled one back before the break, but Bondeau added two more in the second half to complete his hat-trick and the Ruts were cruising at 5-1 with 25 minutes to go.

A spirited fight-back from Oakway saw them claw their way back to 5-4 and within touching distance of an amazing point, but the Ruts held on for a deserved Victory.

Scorer: own goal

Old Rutlishians failed to take advantage of an opponent's sending off as they fell at the first hurdle of the Surrey Cup.

Despite playing 10 men in the second half, the Ruts could not claw back a goal deficit.

The game had started pretty evenly with the Ruts missing a couple of very good chances, but it was John Fisher who took the lead following some slack defending from a corner.

Graham Winter then put in a good cross which a hapless defender turned into his own net for the equaliser, but John Fisher struck a psychological blow by making it 2-1 just before the break.

Although the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the second half, the Ruts never really threatened an equaliser and were lucky not to fall further behind near the end thanks to an excellent reflex save by stand-in keeper Craig Lyle.

Manager Graham Clayton was nevertheless generous in defeat: "John Fisher deserved their win as they played the more controlled football".

Scorers: Nick Bondeau (3), Erol Yilmaz, own goal

Nick Bondeau scored his second hat-trick of the season as Old Rutlishians won this entertaining League Cup first round tie.

Despite falling behind after just two minutes, the Ruts pulled level thanks to an own goal. Bondeau then fired in a superb volley from the edge of the box to give the Ruts a 2-1 halftime lead.

Soon after the restart Nigel Watford played Bondeau in to cooly make it 3-1, before skipper Erol Yilmaz rounded the keeper and tapped in for 4-1.

Bondeau complete his treble on the hour and that seemed that, but for the second time in three weeks the Ruts somehow saw a 5-1 lead become 5-4 as NCA Regus forced their way back into the match.

With time running out Yilmaz set off on a mazy dribble to beat four defenders before seeing his shot saved, after which the Ruts belatedly shut up shop to secure a second round tie against Nuwood Reserves.

Scorers: Erol Yilmaz, Barry Catling

Old Rutlishians twice let the lead slip as they were forced to settle for a point that at least lifts them off the bottom of the table.

Skipper Erol Yilmaz gave them the perfect start when he opened the scoring, but Thornton levelled with the last kick of the half.

Barry Catling continued his recent good form when he tapped in after a goalkeeping error to make it 2-1, but Thornton levelled once again to grab a deserved point.

"They played better," conceded Yilmaz, "but we battled well."

Scorers: Nick Bondeau (2), Steve Rowlands

Old Rutlishians threw away a 3-2 lead as they extended their winless run to three games.

A brace from Nick Bondeau - one from the penalty spot - and a strike from midfielder Steve Rowlands looked like earning the Ruts the points.

But they missed the chances to extend their lead and were punished when South Park fought back to win 5-3.

Scorers: Nick Bondeau (pen), Dave Watson

Old Rutlishians rode their luck as they claimed three valuable points to lift them out of the relegation zone.

After an uneventful first half which the home side shaded, the Ruts took the lead immediately after the restart when Nigel Watford was fouled in the area and red-hot striker Nick Bondeau stepped up to score his ninth goal in six matches.

Five minutes later a Hawker defender was sent off for a professional foul, but still they dominated proceedings as they searched for an equaliser.

On the hour mark Dave Watson - switched up front in a tactical reshuffle by assistant manager Steve Gathercole - made it 2-0 when he latched onto a Watford pass to cleverly lob the keeper for his first ever Ruts goal.

Hawker kept on fighting and made a few chances, but the Ruts held firm for the win.

Scorer: Nigel Watford

Old Rutlishians continued their impressive recent form in the league with a narrow win at 'fortress Nursery Road' against well organised and tactically aware opponents.

Injured player-manager Erol Yilmaz followed proceedings from the sidelines and saw his team get out of the blocks quickly, troubling NCA early on with their pace down the flanks. Nigel Watford and James Fenton were closing down well and forcing the defenders into rash clearances lapped up by the confident Ruts back four, marshalled superbly by skipper Matt Payne and the consistent Graham Larcombe.

After half an hour of attacking football from both teams, the Ruts broke the deadlock when keeper Craig Wellstead - who had a fine game - threw the ball 40 yards to the half way line. Steve Rowlands headed on into the path of Danny Poulter, who produced a fine run towards goal before confidently squaring the ball for Watford to beat the onrushing keeper.

It was Poulter's continuous running and determination that kept the Ruts ticking over in midfield for the remainder of the half as NCA threatened to over-run the Ruts through the middle.

The Ruts continued to take the game to NCA after the break, who responded by pushing an extra man forward in search of the equaliser.

But excellent handling from Wellstead denied them the goal their mounting pressure deserved and the Ruts restricted them to shots from distance.

With ten minutes left and NCA committing men forward, Nick Bondeau broke free on the halfway line only to be denied his 10th goal of the season by the goalkeeper's legs. Rowlands then tried an opportunist effort from 25 yards late on.

The Ruts were glad to hear the final whistle as they had spent most of the half protecting their lead - helped in no small measure by Graham Winter's non-stop running - and can contemplate a very promising season ahead based on this good performance.

Old Rutlishians travelled to second-placed Oxted on the back of two fine victories, but came away empty handed despite an impressive performance.

Both teams played neat passing football and the Ruts soaked up attacks with competent play at the back thanks to skipper Matt Payne's expert marshalling of the defence.

The Ruts best moments came from the left flank where Graham Larcombe and Graham Winter linked well, the latter troubling Oxted with his pace and trickery. However, the Ruts wasted numerous chances through lack of bodies in the area.

They were punished for this on 30 minutes when an exquisite chip fell into the path of an Oxted striker, who had ample time to slot the ball past keeper Steve Shaw. Shaw's handling and organisation of the defence kept the score to 1-0 at the interval as the hosts threatened again.

The Ruts were annoyed to be trailing at the break, but Oxted were now buoyant and stretched their opponents as their confidence grew. They soon made it 2-0 as a cross which looked out of play was clinically finished while the Ruts 'ball watched' instead of playing to the whistle.

With 15 minutes left Yilmaz came on for Payne in an attempt to salvage at least a point, and although they still looked dangerous the visitors could not find the killer pass to unlock a resolute Oxted defence.

In the closing minutes Oxted added another to give the scoreline a flattering look at 3-0, but goals win games and the Ruts just couldn't score.

Scorers: Billy Finnis (2), Seb Senior

A stunning second half fightback was not enough for the Old Rutlishians as they were knocked out of the league cup in the second round.

Nuwood had started well, causing the Ruts to defend for most of the first half. Using a combination of neat passing through the midfield and intelligent running up front, it was no surprise when they opened the scoring with a header from a corner.

Buoyed by their lead, Nuwood took advantage again five minutes later when the Ruts lost possession and were caught on the backfoot, the defence helpless as the striker found the top corner from the edge of the area. Despite both goals being taken well they could have been prevented had the Ruts 'switched-on' from the start of the game.

Manager Erol Yilmaz changed to 4-4-2 at break and the match was well balanced for the first 20 minutes. Nuwood still looked dangerous though and on 70 minutes a low shot was spilled by keeper Steve Shaw to the feet of a grateful midfielder who gave the visitors a seemingly comfortable 3-0 lead.

The Ruts raised their game to try and salvage some pride and almost immediately Seb Senior squared for Steve Rowlands to score, but it was ruled offside despite appeals. Five minutes of Ruts pressure followed before Graham Winter released Senior to round the keeper and cooly slot home.

The Ruts pushed forward and from a deep Nick Bondeau corner, Rowlands rose to head the ball down for Billy Finnis to pounce and bring the hosts back into the game at 3-2.

Finnis, who had worked tirelesly up front, was rewarded with the equaliser on 80 minutes when a long throw from Rowlands bypassed the defence and the young striker made no mistake from six yards.

Having come back from 3-0 down with three goals in ten minutes the Ruts were buzzing and pushed forward looking for the winner. With Graham Larcombe and man-of-the-match Pete Day solid at the back, the Ruts looked set to go and win but Nuwood snatched it with a late header.

The Ruts were disappointed to have lost the game, but must learn to perform more consistently in future matches to reap the rewards.

Scorer: Seb Senior

Old Rutlishians pulled off a tremendous victory against league leaders and previously unbeaten Continental Stars to lift themselves to fifth in the table.

Despite the heavy pitch and wintry conditions, the Ruts set about their opponents straight from kick off. But it soon became evident that Continental were a fit and pacy side and they tested the Ruts in midfield.

After weathering some early pressure the Ruts replied with swift passing between impressive midfielders Nigel Watford and Graham Winter, and the non-stop running of striker Seb Senior, who caused panic in Continental's defence.

On 35 minutes Continental were awarded a penalty when a cross was handled in mid-air but the striker balooned his spot kick over the bar.

This spurred on the Ruts and they created chances before the break, earning quite a few corners, but were unable to break the deadlock.

The only goal arrived on 55 minutes when a good move involving Watford and Erol Yilmaz released Senior. His powerful goalbound effort deflected off a defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and nestling in the back of the net.

The Ruts were jubilant and dug deep to contain wave after wave of attack after that, content to play on the break.

But neither side could find a way through and the final whistle came as a great relief to the Ruts, who can now look to mount a credible promotion challenge on the back of such a magnificent win.

Scorer: Nick Bondeau

A shocking first half performance cost Old Rutlishians dear as they lost to lowly South Park.

Hopes were high they could mount a promotion challenge just a week after beating leaders Continental Stars, but the Ruts were 5-0 down at the break.

South Park went ahead after only five minutes when a long free kick was headed in. The misery continued five minutes later when a mix-up between keeper Shaw and defender Matt Payne allowed the striker to slot home the second.

Ruts could not retain possession and resorted to pumping long balls which were easily dealt with by South Park. Silly errors gave the hosts three more goals by half time and only in the last 10 minutes before halftime did the Ruts create any clear chances.

The second period was better as the Ruts started to play good football and tried to salvage some pride. Steve Rowlands, who had a fine game, linked well with defence and attack as the Ruts dominated.

Seb Senior, a tireless worker up front all game, was bundled over in the penalty area and top scorer Nick Bondeau tucked away the spot kick.

But the Ruts could not add to their tally despite numerous corner kicks and plenty of possession. South Park had sporadic attacks, but were happy with their lead and comfortably saw out the match.

Scorers: Steve Rowlands (2), Nigel Watford

Old Rutlishians brushed aside bottom club Woodmansterne to win their fourth match in six league games and continue their climb up the table.

They took the game to their hosts from the kick-off and Paul Hull went close early on when his header from Nick Bondeau’s corner just cleared the bar.

After 15 minutes the Ruts deservedly took the lead. A Bondeau throw-in was not cleared and Steve Rowlands cooly clipped the ball into the opposite corner of the goal.

Although the Ruts were enjoying a great deal of possession, Woodmansterne drew level before the break when a clever free kick was volleyed past Steve Shaw from close range.

Inspired by stand-in player-manager Shaw’s halftime pep talk, the Ruts tore into woodmansterne straight from the restart. Chances went begging before Rowlands steered in a cross from Bondeau to make it 2-1.

On 80 minutes James Fenton swung over a fine cross which was met with a superb header from Nigel Watford to make the points safe. Watford had two more headers which the keeper saved well, but the Ruts claimed the victory regardless.

Scorers: Dave Watson, Billy Finnis

A poor performance against mid-table opposition sent Old Rutlishians to a dismal defeat against Cheam Village Warriors reserves.

Looking unfit after a month without a game, the Ruts started slow and gave the opposition the incentive when a deep cross was met with a disputed challenge by Caffell for which the ref awarded a penalty. The striker beat keeper Steve Shaw and it was 1-0.

The Ruts replied with sporadic pressure in the remainder of the first half, the highlight being a superb thirty-yard shot by Nick Bondeau which hit the upright.

More woes ensued after the break as the defence cleared a long ball which the opposition striker clipped over the advancing Shaw into an empty net.

The Ruts were then give a lifeline when a clearance found Billy Finnis who tucked the ball away to bring the score to 1-2.

But Cheam quickly restored their advantage by adding a third and fourth before Dave Watson, on as sub, lobbed the keeper to make the final score 2-4.

The highlight of the game was a superb performance by current young player of the year, James Fenton, but the team will need to show better application and concentration for the remainder of the season to consolidate their position and prevent a slip down the league table.

Old Rutlishians battled well to earn a priceless point against a tight Cheam Village Warriors outfit.

The Ruts did not get going at all in the first half and spent most of it defending. But marshalled well by skipper Steve Rowlands, the team remained solid and wave after wave of attacks were repelled.

Safe and confident handling in goal by Steve Shaw prevented Cheam taking a deserved lead on several occassions, and at times in the second half the Ruts were able to take the game to their opponents.

With ten minutes left top scorer Nick Bondeau found himself through, but his effort was rash and troubled the corner flag rather than the keeper.

Erol Yilmaz had a shot blocked late on, but on reflection a 0-0 result was the best the Ruts could expect from their performance against a good team destined for a top five finish.

Old Rutlishians' inconsistent form continued as they were knocked out of the Shield by a team one division below them.

Both sides started briskly with most of the play centred around the midfield area.

After 20 minutes Ruts took the lead after an excellent cross from Darren Knott was volleyed home by strike partner Nigel Watford.

Warlingham were enjoying a great deal of posession though and tested Ruts keeper Steve Shaw before scoring two quick headed goals to go 2-1 ahead by half time.

The Ruts started well after the break, pressing Warlingham for an equaliser, but paid the price as they were constantly hit on the counter attack and conceded three more goals.

Shaw in goal excelled despite this, producing some fine saves to limit the scoreline.

The silence in the post-match dressing room said it all.

Old Rutlishians extended their winless run to four games as they lost to relegation-threatened Oakway.

They started well though and dominated the first twenty minutes of this encounter played on an uneven surface.

Chances were few and far between, with Darren Knott and Erol Yilmaz holding firm in midfield.

Oakway, playing one centre forward, caught the Ruts sleeping midway through the half when their right midfielder ghosted through to score with a crisp shot.

More woe was to follow five minutes later when the same player found himself in acres of space on the edge of the penalty area and rifled a fierce shot into the top corner.

The Ruts could not respond and threatened little for the remainder of the first half.

The second period was one-way traffic as the Ruts took the game to Oakway with man of the match Simon Minihane working well with Nick Bondeau on the right to create plenty of openings.

On 60 minutes a Knott free kick found Steve Rowlands who volleyed over the keeper, but it was adjudged not to have crossed the line by the referee.

The Ruts pushed an extra player forward in the closing stages but were caught on the break, with Oakway's two-goal hero brought down for a penalty which was duly converted for 3-0.

Ruts keeper Steve Shaw produced two more fine stops in goal to continue his good form in light of a poor recent run by the Ruts, who have fallen away after a promising period in December.

Old Rutlishians lost their fourth match in a row but can count themselves unlucky not to get something from the game.

They dominated the first half hour producing slick movement and passing that created plenty of chances early on.

James Fenton hit a fierce drive from all of 30 yards which just cleared the bar and Dave Watson then placed a precise right foot shot which the keeper tipped around the post.

Steve Rowlands put a header over the bar from an impressive Darren Knott corner before the Ruts gave Worcester Park the initiative by over playing, allowing their opponents into the game on the counter attack.

It wasn't until the 70th minute that Worcester Park took the lead with a sweet shot that gave the impressive Craig Lyle in the Ruts goal no chance.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0 as a weak shot crept through a melee of players and found the corner of the net.

The Ruts still pushed for a consolation, but their endeavours were constantly thwarted by a solid defence line.

Nevertheless a fine performance from the Ruts which has hopefully given them something to build on for the following weeks.

Scorers: Steve Rowlands (2), Billy Finnis

Old Rutlishians slumped to their fourth defeat in a row despite a promising start and for the second successive week failure to take their chances cost them dear.

Old Ruts started brightly, giving Hawker plenty to think about as they carved out opportunities at will. Steve Rowlands lobbed the keeper and bar after only five minutes before Billy Finnis brought a double save from the goalkeeper.

After 30 minutes of non-stop pressure, Hawker caught the Ruts on the counter attack and their forward slotted home. More misery and bewilderment followed five minutes later when hawker went 2-0 up with a free header from a corner.

The Ruts replied immediately. A Finnis shot hit the upright and his return cross was blatantly handballed by a defender. But the referee failed to spot what everyone else saw and waved play on.

Just before the break Finnis was put through by Nigel Watford and finished well, only for the referee to disallow it for offside.

Ten minutes into the second half the Ruts finally got their reward when Nick Bondeau fed Finnis who pulled a goal back, only for sloppy defending to allow hawker to take a 3-1 lead soon after.

Darren Knott, who had an impressive game, then placed a perfect corner on Rowlands' head after 60 minutes and the Ruts were back in it at 3-2.

And just five minutes later they were level. A one-two between Rowlands and Watford put Rowlands through and he placed the ball past the keeper for 3-3.

However, within two minutes Ruts gave possession away and Hawker punished them, making it 4-3.

The Ruts - who looked dangerous in the last third - continued to press with Finnis, Knott and Jamie Shawki having chances.

But Hawker wrapped up the game on 80 minutes with another breakaway goal and ran out 5-3 winners.

So although the Ruts got back to scoring goals they will have to sharpen up their defending in all areas of the pitch to avoid further defeats.

Scorer: Steve Rowlands

Old Rutlishians' poor form continued as they lost again despite scoring first.

On a very hard pitch the Ruts started well, stretching Rusmill's defence in the early stages. Darren Knott, impressive again, linked well with the attack and on 20 minutes his slick through ball after good work from the lively Nick Bondeau found Steve Rowlands who steered the ball home from just inside the area.

Five minutes later and it should have been 2-0. A fine move involving Jamie Shawki and Seb Senior found Rowlands who clipped the ball over the keeper, but also over the bar.

Against the run of play Rusmill then equalised with a long punt headed in from five yards out. Rusmill then took the initiative and went 2-1 up just before the break after a Ruts attack broke down on the half way line, leaving them exposed to the counter.

The Ruts started well in the second half and a fine cross from Knott was volleyed over by Erol Yilmaz from close range.

Pushing for an equaliser and committing men forward, the Ruts were caught out by conceding three goals in a ten minute spell as the defence was over-stretched.

Michael Dodd, who once again excelled at right back, continued to turn defence into attack, linking well with Nigel Watford and Shawki. Another plus was the performances of Matt Payne and Pete Pearce, who had solid games in defence.

Ultimately the result flattered Rusmill though and the Ruts deserved better for their performance and attitude.

Scorer: Seb Senior

A terrible second-half collapse allowed Worcester Park an unlikely victory as Old Rutlishians let slip a 1-0 lead to 10 men.

Seb Senior scored his fifth of the season in the first half and it looked like the Ruts were sure to stop a run of eight winless games when a Worcester Park player was sent off early in the second half.

But it was the Ruts who played as though they were a man short as the more determined attitude of the visitors more than made up for their handicap.

Worcester Park had an equaliser ruled out for offside before scoring four times in the last 25 minutes to run out easy winners.

It might have been a different story had Senior not missed a good chance at 1-0 after being put clear by Steve Rowlands, but that's now six defeats in a row for the free-falling Ruts.

Scorer: Seb Senior

Old Rutlishians lost their seventh game in a row but can come away from the match pleased with their performance and aggrieved to finish up empty handed.

They dominated the early stages and went ahead on 15 minutes when a superb pass from Nick Bondeau split the defence and Seb Senior ran through to beat the keeper with a low strike.

Mustard took a while to get going and were gifted a way back into the match after half an hour when Pete Pearce was harshly deemed to have fouled in the box and the Mustard striker made no mistake from the spot.

Five minutes later Mustard went 2-1 up after the Ruts gave the ball away cheaply around their own box, and Steve Rowlands could have equalised moments before the break when his close range blast was excellently tipped over.

The second half saw the Ruts dominate possession with Mustard happy to sit back and play on the break. Applying plenty of pressure and looking likely to equalise, the Ruts were rocked on their heels after 55 minutes when a 30 yard free kick sailed over keeper Steve Shaw for 3-1.

Try as they might the Ruts couldn’t breach Mustard’s back line. Nigel Watford dragged a low effort just wide, Steve Gathercole curled a shot wide and sub James Shawki headed over when well placed.

The Ruts’ frustration was summed up late on when Gathercole’s cross was met with a solid header by Watford but the ball thudded down onto the rock-hard ground and bounced over the bar with the keeper beaten.

Old Rutlishians went close to claiming a point off league leaders NCA Regus but ultimately lost their eighth match on the trot.

The first half was even with few chances, although the Ruts should have gone ahead after 10 minutes when Steve Rowlands lobbed the keeper but saw his effort drop wide of goal.

Ruts keeper Graham Clayton pulled off a couple of fine saves as NCA's long ball game found gaps in the Ruts back four, and there was nothing in it going into the break.

The second half was a scrappy affair on a hard, dry pitch similar to the mowed fields nearby.

With 20 minutes remaining NCA started to put in some ugly challenges which spoiled an otherwise well behaved game.

And they got the crucial goal on 75 minutes when a low 30 yard free kick deceived Clayton and bobbled into the net to give them a win which virtually seals their promotion.

But the Ruts can be pleased with a good performance and the sporting manner in which they played the game.