By Scott Hawley
With the rest of the league sitting watching as their games were called off due to the bad weather, the Old Ruts entertained second in the table Wandle at the mighty Poplar Road.
The pitch was in fabulous order; you would not even know that we have had bad weather of late by looking at the pitch. All credit should go to Mick and Dan for sorting out the pitch early in the morning.
The Ruts fielded a strong side for this home fixture with only two changes from the side that won 3-2 in the cup three weeks ago. The game started at a fast pace with both sides still a little cold, the first 20 minutes was a hard battle between the two midfields with only a couple of free kicks 40 yards out that never troubled either keeper.
Just after the 20 minute mark a strong run from Tiny saw him through on goal only to be taken out by the Wandle centre half 25 yards from goal. There were shouts from the sideline for the centre half to see red for this offence, but the ref only produced a yellow to the amazement of the crowd. The resulting free kick did not test the keeper.
Then with ten minutes to go in the first half the deadlock was broken with a great move when Minihane received the ball out wide on the left and a neat one two with Rags put Minihane clear to cross left footed from the left side of the penalty area where the cross was met with a diving header from Scott Hawley for his fourth goal of the season, to the bemusement of manager Poulter who led the enquiry as to what he was doing there in the first place.
The second half started as did the first with a couple of chances at either end but nothing to really trouble either keeper. Rags was harshly booked about an hour into the game for challenging a throw in decision.
The second goal came from wide right where a neat ball played across the 18 yard box was controlled by Scott Hawley who then scored right footed which took a slight deflection (not bad for an injured lefty - El Pres, www.oldruts.co.uk). See, I told everyone that I had two feet. :-)
The crowd started the shouts of take him off (led by junior Hawley’s) but manager Poulter would not be goaded into the crowd’s demands.
With fifteen minutes to go Wally pulled off two great saves to keep the score at 2-0 which even the watching first team keeper would have been proud of.
Scott saved the best for last with a step over nuts through the right back's legs which had the crowd in fits of laughter (but the right back was not too impressed).
Wandle then hit the underside of the bar with an unstoppable strike that bounced off the line.
The final whistle went with the mighty third team chalking up a victory at the famous Poplar Road.
The only thing that let the whole day down was the opposition wanting to us to sign in case we had any ringers playing, but I just think they wanted my signature. :-)
But a win is a win and the team should be safe from relegation now.