Ashtead 2-2 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Lee Poulter, Ian Lennard
9 September 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts opened their first division campaign in the Surrey South Eastern Combination with a well-earned draw on Saturday, but will be annoyed with themselves after twice letting the lead slip. Man-of-the-match Lee Poulter opened the scoring after 15mins, but poor marking soon allowed the home side to equalise. A flowing move culminated in Ian Lennard's fine finish from a Jeremy Capper pass to put the Ruts back in front, but Ashtead drew level following a controversial incident just before half-time. A goalmouth scramble in the Ashtead box resulted in furious appeals for a penalty, but the referee waved play on and Ashtead raced upfield to make it 2-2. The second-half was an even affair, with no further goals added thanks to some wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping by Ruts' keeper David Williams, who made a string of impressive saves.

Old Rutlishians 5-4 Oxted & District
Scorers: Dave Murphy (4), Phil Rea
23 September 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

A thrilling match saw the Ruts claim their first win of the season thanks to a virtuoso display from striker Dave Murphy, who netted four times. After going behind on just two minutes, Phil Rea pulled the Ruts level before the break and then Murphy took over in the second half as his brace put the home side 3-1 up. Amazingly, two breakaway goals and a penalty saw Oxted fight back to lead 4-3, prompting Ruts manager Howard Meredith to note "We can't afford to defend like that at this level." However, two more Murphy strikes in the last few minutes gave the Ruts all three points.

Battersea Irons 3-2 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Scott Hawley, Alan Morley (pen)
30 September 2000	Surrey Intermediate Cup, Round 1

The Old Ruts crashed out of the Surrey Cup at the first hurdle after shocking defending gave Battersea a 3-0 lead just half an hour into the match. However, Scott Hawley's neat finish from a Leon Trowbridge cross before the break gave the visitor's some hope, and by the 55th minute the deficit was down to one. Hawley was scythed down in the area and striker Alan Morley stepped up to make it 2-3 from the spot. Despite dominating the rest of the match, the Old Ruts could not force the equaliser. "We gave ourselves a mountain to climb," moaned manager Howard Meredith after seeing Dave Murphy hit the bar and Craig Wellstead go close in the dying seconds.

Old Rutlishians 1-1 Sutton High
Scorer: Jimmy Bolton
14 October 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

Despite dominating much of this game the Old Ruts were held to a home draw by Sutton High. The visitors controversially opened the scoring in the first half when their striker bundled both full-back Craig Lyle and the ball over the line from a yard out. The referee allowed the goal to stand and soon compounded the Ruts' misery by awarding a penalty against them, but stand-in 'keeper Craig Wellstead made a fine save. Jeremy Capper hit the bar twice as the Ruts pressed for the equaliser, and it duly arrived in the 75th minute when Jimmy Bolton controlled a long ball into the area on his chest and fired it into the net. The Ruts controlled the game from then on, but couldn't find the winner. "We'd have nicked the three points today if we'd taken all our chances," said Ruts manager Howard Meredith.

Old Rutlishians 4-1 Godstone
Scorers: Lee Poulter (2), Jimmy Bolton, OG
21 October 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts recorded their biggest win of the season so far despite a terrible start, falling behind after just 10 minutes. Although the home side applied plenty of pressure it wasn't until the hour mark that substitute Lee Poulter equalised with a rasping shot. "After we scored there was only one team that was going to win it," said Old Ruts manager Howard Meredith. Midfielder Jimmy Bolton duly put the Ruts 2-1 up before Poulter added his second after beating four men and firing home in the 75th minute. Scott Hawley pressurised a hapless Godstone defender into scoring an own goal late on to complete a good afternoon for the Old Ruts, who now lie third in the Surrey South Eastern Combination First Division.

Sheen Athletic 1-2 Old Rutlishians (aet)
Scorers: Jeremy Capper, Craig Wellstead
4 November 2000	League Cup Round 1

Despite playing well below par, Old Ruts won this League Cup encounter against rivals Sheen thanks to a late extra-time winner. The Ruts had fortuitously gone ahead through Jeremy Capper's 30th minute effort as Sheen had the better of the opening half, 'keeper David Williams making some fine saves to keep the hosts at bay. After half-time the Ruts improved but couldn't add to their tally and Sheen equalised on 80 minutes, forcing extra-time. Striker Craig Wellstead settled the match five minutes from the end, prompting manager Howard Meredith to note: "I was disappointed with the performance but pleased with the result."

Accra 94 1-0 Old Rutlishians
11 November 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts lost this league encounter at Accra to a hotly disputed goal midway through the first half. Although playing poorly, the Ruts felt aggrieved when Accra's striker scored despite looking three yards offside. Goalkeeper David Williams had to be at his best to keep the Ruts in it from then on as Accra got to grips better with the boggy pitch and swirling wind. "In the first half we weren't at the races, but after the break we picked up a bit," said Ruts manager Howard Meredith, who saw his side dominate the second period without creating enough opportunities to force an equaliser.

Old Rutlishians 2-2 Seelec Delta
Scorers: Jimmy Bolton, Lee Poulter
18 November 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts were seconds away from a magnificent Victory over league leaders Seelec Delta on Saturday when they succumbed to a last-minute own-goal. The otherwise excellent Ian Lennard was the unfortunate man as a cross-shot deflected off his boot into the net. Earlier Jimmy Bolton had opened the scoring immediately after the break following a first-half of few chances, but Seelec deservedly levelled the game with a slick breakaway goal on 70 minutes. Striker Lee Poulter headed in Paul Hull's cross to restore the Ruts' lead just two minutes later, but the visitors applied plenty of pressure and came away with a point following their dramatic late equaliser.

Old Rutlishians 4-4 Addington
Scorers: Jimmy Bolton, Steve Jupp, Paul Hull, Craig Wellstead
25 November 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts fought back from a goal down on four separate occasions to draw this thrilling match. Addington adjusted to the slippery conditions the better of the two sides and took the lead midway through the first half. Although midfielder Jimmy Bolton then continued his fine recent scoring form with a shot from the edge of the area, Addington replied immediately to go in at the break 2-1 up. A much improved second-half performance by the Ruts saw them equalise from an unlikely source when centre-half Steve Jupp scored the goal of the match. He turned two defenders on the edge of the box following a half-cleared corner and superbly chipped the keeper. Addington were gifted a 3-2 lead following a goalkeeping error on 70 minutes, but striker Paul Hull levelled the match once again with a well-taken goal. With the home side pushing for a winner, poor marking allowed the Addington striker a breakaway run on goal and his finish five minutes from time had his team-mates and the travelling support mistakenly celebrating a 4-3 Victory. But substitute Craig Wellstead hadn't given up and his persistence paid off when he chased a backpass in injury time and the luckless keeper's clearance bounced off him and into the net to earn the Ruts a deserved point.

Old Rutlishians 2-2 Accra 94
Scorers: Lee Poulter, Jimmy Bolton
16 December 2000	SSEC Intermediate Division One

Old Ruts failed to close the gap on second-placed Accra when they were held to a draw in this bad-tempered clash. The home side got off to a perfect start when Lee Poulter ran onto Craig Wellstead's flick-on to fire the Ruts into a fifth minute lead, and were the better team for the opening 20 minutes. Accra slowly got into the game, but despite enjoying most of the possession could not find a way past 'keeper Dave Williams, who made a number of excellent saves throughout to keep the Ruts ahead. The second half was dominated by Accra as they searched for an equaliser, but the Ruts looked dangerous on the break and almost doubled their lead when Wellstead shot narrowly over on the hour-mark. The pressure finally told in the 75th minute, though, when Accra grabbed two quick goals to turn the game on its head. But the Ruts battled on and Jimmy Bolton made it 2-2 with just five minutes left, before being harshly dismissed moments later for a second bookable offence. However, the home side withheld late pressure to claim a deserved point.

Oxted & District 1-2 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Ian Lennard, Alan Whiter
6 January 2001	League Cup Round Two

A superb team performance saw the Old Ruts advance to the third round of the League Cup. The away side played their best football of the season and dominated the match, taking the lead through a fine Ian Lennard strike from the edge of the area. New signing Alan Whiter made it 2-0 before the break when he beat four men before brilliantly chipping the 'keeper. The Ruts did not let Oxted back into the game during the second half, and despite conceding a last-minute consolation goal, manager Howard Meredith was upbeat: "I was delighted with the attitude and performance of the lads today."

Old Rutlishians 1-1 Warlingham
Scorer: Alan Morley
13 January 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts suffered a blow to their promotion hopes when they were held to a draw in this scrappy game. The visitors started brightly, but it was the Ruts who took the lead when striker Alan Morley blasted home an unstoppable shot on 20 minutes. However, Warlingham levelled before the break when the Ruts gave the ball away cheaply and were duly punished. The second half saw a much improved display from the home side, but they squandered a number of chances to win the game. Centre-half Dave Cundy was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line, and even though Warlingham had a man sent off towards the end, they held on for a point.

Old Rutlishians 2-1 Coney Hall
Scorers: Alan Whiter, Craig Wellstead
20 January 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

After four successive league draws, Old Ruts finally secured a win thanks to substitute Craig Wellstead's late goal. It was Coney Hall who had started the better, though, and only some excellent goalkeeping from David Williams kept them at bay for the first half-hour. All the Ruts had to point to was a stunning Alan Morley drive from the edge of the box which hit the bar. However, the pressure soon told and Coney scored, but the Ruts fortuitously went in level at the break when Morley's knock-down was swept in by Alan Whiter on the stroke of half-time. The second-period saw the Ruts much improved and Jimmy Bolton was unlucky to see his 20-yarder hit the post after beating two men. Kevin Richards also hit the bar as they continued to dominate, and the three points were eventually won thanks to Wellstead's finish in the last few minutes.

Warlingham 3-2 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Alan Morley, Ian Lennard
27 January 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

A poor performance from the Old Ruts saw them slip to defeat in this league encounter. They fell behind on 20 minutes, but were level soon after when Alan Morley's shot from the edge of the area flew in past the helpless keeper. But any hopes of going into the break level were dashed when the unfortunate Phil Rea put through his own net to hand the advantage back to Warlingham. With the Ruts failing to create many chances, matters looked bleak when a good goal put the hosts 3-1 up midway through the second-half. They were handed a lifeline, though, when Ian Lennard converted a penalty for handball in the 75th minute. But the Ruts could not force an equaliser, and were grateful to 'keeper David Williams for keeping them in the match when he sprung to his left to beat out a late penalty and bravely smothered the rebound. "We were outplayed in every department today," lamented manager Howard Meredith.

Oxted & District 5-3 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Alan Morley (3)
3 February 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

A dismal second-half performance condemned the Ruts to a second straight defeat after they twice surrendered the lead. It had started so well when striker Alan Morley's 10th minute cross-cum-shot flew in, but a defensive mix-up led to an equaliser moments later. Morley then headed home Lee Poulter's cross to give the Ruts the half-time lead their play merited, but a disastrous period early in the second-half saw Oxted grab three quick goals to lead 4-2 and the shell-shocked Ruts never recovered. Poulter had an effort harshly disallowed before Dave Cundy put through his own net with 20 minutes left. And although Morley completed his hat-trick with a subtle chip late on, it was scant consolation.

Battersea Irons 0-2 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Kevin Richards, Alan Morley
17 February 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Ruts got back to winning ways in the league with a good display at Battersea. They dominated the first half but went in 0-0 at the break, despite a couple of chances falling the way of in-form striker Alan Morley. James Wilkes' half-volley shaved the post as the Ruts continued the pressure in the second-half, and finally made the breakthrough in the 65th minute. Morley closed down the 'keeper, whose clearance rebounded off him and into the path of Kevin Richards, who capped a good performance by tapping into an empty net. Morley himself then made the game safe when he planted a bullet header from Paul Hull's pinpoint cross past the startled 'keeper. With Phil Rea and Dave Cundy keeping things tight at the back, Battersea never looked like getting back into the match. "We kept a good shape today," enthused manager Howard Meredith.

Greenside 1-3 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Phil Rea (2), Ian Lennard
24 February 2001	League Cup Quarter-Final

The Old Ruts avoided a potential banana skin in the League Cup by seeing off a team from a lower division. The Ruts started badly though, and sloppy defending saw them fall behind early on. But midfielder Phil Rea equalised soon after with a good shot, and then put the Ruts ahead when he headed in his second before the break. The visitors were good value for their lead, and the prolific Ian Lennard notched his 300th goal for the club when he struck home a 30 yard free-kick in the 75th minute to seal a semi-final place.

Old Rutlishians 3-2 Ashtead
Scorers: Alan Morley, Jimmy Wilkes, Lee Poulter
3 March 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

An excellent first-half display from the Old Ruts saw them consolidate 3rd place in the table. Alan Morley continued his recent good goalscoring form when he dribbled past a defender and slotted home at the second attempt. The lead was doubled before the break when Morley's cross was flicked on by Dave Murphy for Jimmy Wilkes to lash in a superb volley. The Ruts were dictating play, and the match looked over on the hour when Ian Lennard put Lee Poulter clean through and the pacey striker kept a cool head to make it 3-0. The hosts became complacent, however, and two Ashtead goals in the last 20 minutes almost led to an undeserved draw. But manager Howard Meredith was pleased: "We had to make a lot of changes, but it was a good team performance."

Old Rutlishians 1-1 Battersea Irons
Scorer: Dave Murphy
10 March 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts failed to capitalise on a good start and were forced to settle for a point in this tight contest. The home side swept into a 2nd minute lead when Dave Murphy knocked home the rebound after Richard Hayward's header had struck the bar. Jimmy Wilkes then set off on a mazy run before striking a 20-yarder that hit the post, and Murphy forced a good save from the 'keeper with a near-post header. Battersea slowly got into the match, though, and equalised just before the break when the Ruts failed to clear a corner which was lashed in from six yards out. The second-half was a dour affair, with Dave Williams showing good handling in the Ruts' goal to keep the scores level. The Old Ruts threatened late on when both Alan Morley and Lee Poulter fired over when well-placed, but a draw was a fair result.

Accra 94 5-1 Old Rutlishians
Scorer: Ian Lennard
24 March 2001	League Cup Semi-Final

The Old Ruts' cup run came to a disappointing end when they were well beaten in this League Cup semi-final played at a neutral venue. With their first three keepers unavailable the Ruts were always going to be up against it and so it proved as Accra swept into a 3-0 lead. Ian Lennard provided some hope when he cracked home a fine drive from the edge of the area to make it 3-1, but Accra resumed control and ran out comfortable winners. "We were second best in all departments today," lamented manager Howard Meredith.

Old Rutlishians 3-0 Woodmansterne
Scorers: Alan Whiter, Alan Morley (2)
31 March 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts left it late but finally sealed the points with three goals in the last 20 minutes to see off the division's bottom side. After an uninspiring first half midfielder Alan Whiter made the breakthrough on 70 minutes, finishing well from the edge of the area following a goalkeeping error. Alan Morley then came off the substitutes bench to add two good goals, one of them a sweet drive from just outside the 18-yard box, to keep the Ruts in the top three.

Woodmansterne 1-7 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Dave Murphy (2), Lee Poulter (2), Ben Barber, Kevin Richards, Alan Whiter
14 April 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts produced a superb performance to hammer the league's bottom side for the second time in three weeks. Goals from Dave Murphy (2), Lee Poulter (2), Ben Barber and Kevin Richards put the visitors 6-0 up as the Ruts ran riot. Woodmansterne notched a consolation, but man-of-the-match Alan Whiter then completed the scoring to cap a fine performance. "The opposition worked hard today, but we were simply excellent," said Ruts manager Howard Meredith.

Godstone 0-4 Old Rutlishians
Scorers: Dave Murphy (2), Alan Whiter, Graham Berry
21 April 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

An excellent second-half performance saw the Ruts' good form continue as they did the double over lowly Godstone. A lacklustre first period ended goalless with the best chance falling to striker Craig Wellstead, who was unlucky to see his effort well saved. Skipper Howard Meredith brought himself on shortly after the break and the Ruts responded well, immediately taking control of the game. They ran out comfortable winners in the end with strikes from Graham Berry, Alan Whiter and a double from Dave Murphy.

Sutton High 2-1 Old Rutlishians
Scorer: Alan Whiter
28 April 2001	SSEC Intermediate Division One

The Old Ruts' season ended on a disappointing note when they were unable to recover from a poor first-half performance. Sutton went 2-0 up inside 20 minutes and were much the better of the two teams. Alan Whiter headed in his fourth goal in five matches to give the Ruts some hope as they dominated the second period, but the equaliser proved beyond them. Dave Murphy went closest with a good shot, and centre-half Dave Cundy kept things tight at the back. "We made enough chances to have won the game in the second-half," said manager Howard Meredith.