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By Pete Day

The Ruts made their first appearance of the season at a lush Nursery Road (pitch condition rather than the other teen meaning of the word). I would confirm the changes from last week, but I wasn’t there and no-one did a match report. What I can confirm is that the team was somewhat more youthful (if not as good looking) than last year's team.

The early exchanges saw little action with the Ruts seeming to have the upper hand against an older side, but failing to create clear cut openings.  Debutant Tim looked lively, but as the game continued our midfield were struggling to stamp their authority on the game.  The oppo scored two quickfire goals, the second from a slick passing move and we went in at the break two goals behind.

The second half saw a much more open game of football and one that we started to dominate.  Beaumont came on for the talented Larkin and Noonan started to see more of the ball in midfield.

Minihane failed to hit the target when sent clear by Noonan, so with an hour gone we’d failed to test their keeper.  Indeed Waffle’s speculative shot on the hour mark from 30 yards shouldn’t have tested their keeper, but he failed to get anything on it and it nestled into the far corner. 

Ten minutes later and Waff made a good connection from a corner and their keeper failed to keep it out and the game was all square at 2-2.

With twenty minutes to go the game was there for the taking.  Jordan replaced a somewhat tired Langton and was playing some great balls into the area to trouble the Kingston defence.  However, the sign of things to come was there as Roly had to make a great save to keep it level. 

As we committed men forward our defence were caught square for Kingston’s third, then we failed to clear the ball and it was game over at 4-2.  Shawki came on for Minihane but could do little to impact on the game.

It seemed to be a game that was there for the taking and at times we played good football.  However, we simply didn’t get enough shots on target during the 90 minutes to trouble their keeper.  Let's up the work rate and make sure that we’re up for it against Maori next week.

Team: Roly, Langton, Waffle, Stoney, Winter, Larkin, Kerwick, Noonan, Mario, Minihane, Tim. Subs (all used): Shawki, Jordan, Beaumont

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By Pete Day

Unfortunately I only purchased a home season ticket so missed last weekend's victory against Maori Park Reserves, a team that we have struggled to get results against over the last few seasons.

This week we returned to Nursery Road for the visit of high-flying Wandle.  I was a little late, which meant I was fortunate enough to miss the oppo’s pre match group hug.  We took to the field with a very experienced line up.  Roly had Scott Stoney and Woodsy in front of him with Tim at right back and Scott Hawley at left.  The midfield contained Bern, Capps, Beaumont and Waffle and up front was Mario and Minihane – who was it who told me the youth team was taking over!?!

Wandle looked a decent outfit.  They passed the ball well and for the first 20 minutes looked the better side.  However, we battle well and made sure that we competed across the park.  As the game continued we came more into it.  Mini’s pace was a good outlet, although having played the game for a mere 20 years he still has a problem with the offside rule. 

On the half hour mark Waffle looked to have continued his great run of recent goalscoring as he powered a header into the top corner past a helpless Roly, but thankfully the ref indicated that he hadn’t blown his whistle and the kick was retaken.

10 minutes before half time the linesman’s flag went up, their defence stopped, the ref waved play on and Mini slotted it past the advancing keeper.  Their no.6 didn’t seem too impressed at this point, but the game continued.  Was it offside? Who knows, and as it was us that scored we weren’t too concerned. We went in 1-0 up with the footballing God’s seemingly shining upon us.

The second half was a pretty even affair with both sides playing a decent passing game.  Woodsy’s positional play was excellent and Scott was pretty dominant in the air.  Caps was a great asset in midfield playing simple football to retain possession and Waff wasn’t giving them any time on the ball.  I managed to miss the second goal, but my source tells me it was a bit of route one that Mario finished off in style. 

With 15 to go we seemed to be in control, but a horrendous deflection from the restart left Roly stranded and Wandle were back in it at 2-1.

Some on the sidelines were speculating whether we’d have the fitness to see out the game.  Youngsters Jordan, Dan and Jermail were introduced and the decisive third goal was scored as the ball fell to Mini in the area.  As he tried to shoot across their keeper it skewed off the outside of his foot and went in off the near post – a quality finish!!

3-1 was the final score.  This was a much-improved performance from the last home game.  We played as a team and fought as a team.  Well done guys.  This is the standard, lets make sure we hit this level in the coming weeks and keep moving up that table.

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