Scorer: Lee Poulter

A disastrous opening five minutes set the tone for the Old Ruts as defensive howlers cost them dear in their opening Surrey South Eastern Combination fixture.

Slack play gifted the hosts a 2-0 lead inside five minutes and the shell-shocked Ruts never recovered. Further mistakes at the back saw them 5-0 down by half-time.

Despite only playing against ten men after a first-half sending off, the dispirited Ruts couldn't make much headway. Last season's top scorer Lee Poulter curled a free-kick around the wall to make it 5-1 on 65 minutes, but Warlingham added a late strike to underline their dominance.

Scorers: Alan Whiter, Jones Bamfo, Paul Hull

The Old Ruts secured a creditable draw against Combined Counties outfit Merstham, who fielded a side largely made up of reserves with a few first teamers.

After the weekend's disappointing league result the Ruts were determined to put on a better performance and acquitted themselves well, dominating most of the first half.

With just ten minutes gone the lively Lee Poulter put in a right wing cross which was neatly headed in by the tireless Alan Whiter.

Fifteen minutes later Poulter was involved again as he continued a neat team move to cross from the left wing for strike-partner Jones Bamfo to cooly slot home on the turn.

Merstham were limited to few chances in the opening period by some solid defending and the Ruts were well worth their 2-0 half-time lead.

The visitors continued where they left off after the break and went 3-0 ahead following an attacking run by Paul Hull, whose shot went in off the post on 52 minutes.

The whole team continued to work hard, but Merstham gradually clawed their way back into the game. On the hour it was 3-1 courtesy of a free kick that deflected past keeper Barry Wigley, who had thwarted Merstham's previous efforts on goal.

Soon after slack marking allowed the hosts to reduce the deficit further with a headed goal from a corner.

With time ticking away the tiring Ruts found themselves up against plenty more fresh legs and Merstham piled on the pressure. Wigley made a fine save tipping a free kick over the bar, before Merstham made it 3-3 with only a few minutes left.

The team and officers of the Old Ruts thoroughly enjoyed the match under floodlights at Merstham's pleasant ground. "The game was generally played in a sporting manner," enthused Ruts President Gavin Lennard. "Many thanks to our hospitable hosts."

Scorers: Jones Bamfo (2), Lee Poulter (2), Alan Whiter

Two goals apiece from strikers Lee Poulter and Jones Bamfo helped the Old Ruts secure their first win of the season in a game they dominated but never really killed off until the last ten minutes.

The Ruts started well and made all the early running, with Poulter denied by the keeper's legs early on and Bamfo having a shot blocked after good work from Alan Whiter.

The opening goal was just a matter of time and arrived on 25 minutes when Poulter cut in from the left and beat the keeper with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 when Whiter showed excellent technique and speed of thought to volley into an empty net from 30 yards after the keeper had come out of his area and only half-cleared.

Just before half-time the Ruts looked to have sewn the match up when Whiter's deflected shot fell kindly for Poulter to notch his second from close range.

But Oxted rallied after the break and pulled one back on 60 minutes. Graham Berry then shot just wide as the Ruts continued to enjoy most of the play, but slack marking at a corner allowed the visitors a sniff of an unlikely point when they made it 3-2 on 75 minutes.

The Ruts' nerves were settled by Bamfo soon after though, as he raced onto Leon Trowbridge's header and slotted in for 4-2.

And five minutes from time Bamfo added another after catching Oxted on the break to wrap up a deserved victory.

Scorers: Lee Poulter (2), Steve Nicola, Joe Smith

Some good attacking play enabled the Old Rutlishians to beat last season's league runners-up as they racked up their second win on the bounce.

It took both teams a while to adjust to the hard, bumpy pitch which was difficult to play good passing football on, and the first half hour was a scrappy affair with few chances.

But the game exploded into life on 30 minutes. Alan Whiter's neat flick header sent Steve Nicola sprinting clear down the inside-left channel, and as he entered the penalty area he pulled the ball onto his right foot and sent a superb curling shot just inside the far post.

The Ruts were caught napping five minutes later though, when a half-cleared free kick was volleyed straight back into the net for the equaliser.

However, the Ruts regained the lead moments before half-time when midfielder Joe Smith - who never stopped running all match - stooped to glance home a header from six-yards.

After the break the Ruts took control as they stepped up a gear. On 60 minutes Smith sent Nicola clear once again, and when the keeper advanced Nicola steered a clever ball into Lee Poulter's path who tapped into the empty net from close range.

Ten minutes later Poulter made it 4-1 when he side-footed in following a strong run to the byline and an intelligent pull-back from the impressive Whiter.

Ashtead gave themselves a glimmer of hope when they scored with an unstoppable long-range strike on 80 minutes, but the Ruts were never in any real trouble and held out comfortably for the three points.

Scorer: Phil Rea

Old Rutlishians fell victim to a smash and grab raid as they totally dominated this game, only to emerge from it empty handed.

Addington scored with their only two meaningful efforts of the match while the Ruts created at least a dozen good opportunities, but the home side only have themselves to blame for being wasteful in front of goal.

It all started so well for the Ruts when skipper Phil Rea found room at the far post to head in Alan Whiter's corner on 20 minutes. Joe Smith then went close with a long-range effort and Lee Poulter wasted a couple of good openings as the Ruts threatened to run riot.

Smith then saw the 'keeper superbly tip over another long range effort, while at the other end Ruts keeper Steve Shaw was a mere bystander much of the time.

In first half injury time Poulter saw his shot smothered by the keeper after Smith put him clean through, and the half-time whistle blew with the Ruts puzzled as to how they were only 1-0 up.

Addington equalised against the run of play on 55 minutes when a looping cross-cum-shot was palmed away by the stretching Shaw, only to land at the feet of a grateful and unmarked striker who tapped in.

The Ruts then poured forward and Poulter went close to restoring their lead, but the visitors held firm and then stunned their opponents on 75 minutes when they scored a header from a corner to go 2-1 up.

In the last 15 minutes Rea headed just wide, Whiter headed just over and Poulter saw his shot finish the wrong side of the post as the Ruts tried desperately to rescue a point.

And with seconds remaining substitute Gabriel Cohen sent Jones Bamfo clear, but the young striker lobbed both the advancing keeper and the bar to perfectly sum up a frustrating day for the Ruts when the ball just would not go in.

Old Rutlishians badly missed injured first-choice strikers Lee Poulter and Jones Bamfo as they failed to score for the first time since November 2001.

There was a lack of confidence and belief amongst the team and they failed to create any real chances as Coney dominated possession.

Skipper Phil Rea headed a corner just wide towards the end of a sterile first-half, but that was the closest the Ruts came all match as they played very poorly.

Coney made the breakthrough their play deserved on 70 mins and quickly added another to wrap up a game they probably expected to be much tougher.

A late header earned the Old Rutlishians a deserved point against last season's champions in a bad-tempered affair.

Alan Morley took just three minutes to put the Ruts in front when he seized on a goalkeeping error to tap the ball into an empty net. He then went close with a header and Phil Rea produced a good reflex save from the keeper, while Alan Whiter skimmed the bar with a looping cross-cum-shot as the Ruts created the better openings early on.

Accra were enjoying plenty of possession but didn't carve out many genuine scoring opportunities. Their best efforts came from set pieces, and right-back Matt Crowley had to be alert to clear a header off the line and keep it at 1-0 going into the break.

The Ruts were knocking the ball around nicely, but Accra started to dominate more and more as the game wore on with the Ruts looking dangerous on the break.

The equaliser came on 70 minutes with a near-post header from a corner, and 10 minutes later Accra were in front thanks to a huge slice of luck. The ref got in the way of a Gabriel Cohen pass as the Ruts tried to build an attack and the ball fell kindly for the visitors, who swept upfield and scored with a low 20-yarder into the corner.

The Ruts threw men forward in the closing stages and got a deserved point when Whiter's deep cross was bravely headed in to register the Ruts' first draw of the season.

Scorer: Lee Poulter (2)

Old Rutlishians let slip a 2-1 lead in the final half hour as they suffered their third defeat in four matches.

They gifted Addington the opener on 25 minutes, but top scorer Lee Poulter equalised just before the break when he beat the advancing keeper despite being closely pursued by a defender.

Poulter struck again straight after the restart when he converted a right-wing cross and the Ruts looked good to go on and win the game.

But Paul Hull gave away a penalty on the hour mark enabling Addington to make it 2-2.

An uncharacteristic error from keeper Roland Heal allowed the home side to restore their lead shortly after, and two additional late goals put the match well out of the Ruts reach.

Scorers: Alan Morley (3), Lee Poulter (2), Graham Berry (2), John Mumford

Old Rutlishians took out their frustration of going four matches without a win on NCA Regus as they easily won this league cup second round tie.

First half goals from Lee Poulter (2), Alan Morley (2) and Graham Berry (2) saw the Ruts 6-0 up and the two division gap between the teams was quite evident.

After the break Morley completed his hat-trick and also hit the woodwork - as did Poulter - as the Ruts threatened to run up a cricket score.

But NCA scored a consolation to make it 7-1 and ruin Roland Heal's clean sheet, which he'd looked like preserving with a wonderful diving save to his left earlier on.

There was still time for substitute John Mumford to complete the scoring late on, leaving the Ruts to contemplate a third round tie at home to Wandgas Sports or Thornton Heath Rovers.

Scorer: Phil Rea

Old Rutlishians were denied victory by a deflected goal as Greenside grabbed a fortunate equaliser.

The shot was not even on target when it struck a defender and gave keeper Roland Heal no chance.

A draw was probably a fair result though as Greenside enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, spurning four or five chances as the Ruts struggled to find any rhythm.

But as the half wore on the Ruts looked increasingly menacing on the break and it culminated in the opening goal on 40 minutes.

Shay White, who had a terrific game at left back, chipped the ball from the half way line to skipper Phil Rea, who controlled it and played it down the left wing to Alan Morley. The pacy striker sent over an early cross and as it came across goal at chest height, Rea stretched out his right leg and expertly trapped it before placing it over the mesmerised keeper into the roof of the net.

The Ruts were buoyed and played much better after the break, but were soon rocked by that lucky equaliser.

Opportunities to win the game followed for both sides as Morley missed a one-on-one and there were a few scrambles in the Ruts area. But Heal made some good saves and his defence stood firm, especially centre-half Dave Cundy who was obviously still on a high after scoring last Saturday.

Nobody came as close as Lee Poulter to nicking it though, when his 80th minute header came back off the bar, hit the keeper's head and fell into his grateful arms.

Scorers: Lee Poulter, Alan Morley

An extra time winner knocked Old Rutlishians out of the Surrey Cup after a thrilling match that could have gone either way.

Both teams tried to play good football as they vied for a place in the third round and as an even first half drew to a close Holmesdale scored the opening goal to take a valuable lead into the break.

On 55 minutes Lee Poulter equalised when he struck a low 20-yard free kick into the bottom corner and the Ruts were buoyant.

Poulter turned provider 10 minutes later as he sent Alan Morley clean through and the pacy striker nudged the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 2-1.

The Ruts seemed to rest on their laurels after that and Holmesdale pressed for the equaliser, wasting a couple of good openings. But the home side looked dangerous on the break and on 80 minutes Morley's cross was controlled by sub Paul Hull, who smacked a shot against the post.

That was the turning point as Holmesdale were level within a few minutes, sending the tie into extra time. The Ruts then changed their formation and it worked well with them dominating the extra period.

Sub Jones Bamfo was clean through almost immediately but his shot was blocked, and it looked as though he was fouled as he went for the rebound but the ref waved play on.

Morley shot over when he should have done better in the second period, but with penalties looming the Ruts were hit with a sucker punch as Holmesdale made it 3-2 on 115 minutes.

In a frantic last few minutes both Morley and Bamfo shot narrowly wide while keeper Roland Heal made a brave point-blank save to keep the Ruts in it, but Holmesdale held on for the victory.

Scorers: Jones Bamfo, Alan Morley

Shocking defending and an inability to capitalise when on top saw Old Rutlishians fall to a Wandgas side two divisions below them, although the scoreline somewhat flattered the visitors.

The tone was set from the second minute when Wandgas scored with their first attack. For the next 20 minutes the Ruts dominated and levelled when pacy striker Jones Bamfo raced onto a through pass, cleverly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper's head and tapping into an empty net.

But almost immediately a sloppy error at the back allowed Wandgas in and the Ruts were behind once more. They continued to dominate however, with Bamfo chipping an effort just wide, Lee Poulter shaving the post after tricking his way through the defence and Alan Morley blasting a close-range effort over from a tight angle after the keeper had parried.

On 35 minutes the equaliser finally came when Bamfo's cross found Morley arriving at the back post to hook the ball back across the despairing keeper's dive and in for 2-2. But yet again Wandgas restored their lead within minutes as the unfortunate Dave Cundy put through his own goal, and a shell-shocked Ruts conceded another just before the break.

The Ruts emerged for the second half trying to work out how they had so much of the possession and chances yet found themselves 4-2 behind. But they set about their opponents once more from the restart and with Alan Whiter pulling the strings in midfield they pressed Wandgas back for 20 minutes.

Steve Nicola almost pulled one back when he robbed the last man but overran the ball when clean through, and then Nicola's shot on the turn was tipped over by the Wandgas keeper who was having an inspired game.

Poulter then shot over before Bamfo scuffed a shot into the path of Nicola, whose prod goalwards was well blocked by the keeper.

Wandgas were playing the ball around nicely when they had possession though and scored the killer fifth on the break after 70 minutes.

The spirit drained out of the Ruts as they realised it was not going to be their day and despite a couple of scrambles in the Wandgas area it was the visitors who generally dominated after that, adding another late on and forcing Roland Heal into a couple of smart saves as they created chances at will.

Although the Ruts can point to the majority of possession and chances, Wandgas deserved to win as they were clinical when their opportunities arrived and did not defend like schoolboys - a malaise which ultimately cost the Ruts dear.

Scorers: Jones Bamfo (3)

Old Rutlishians put last week's humiliating cup defeat behind them as they recorded their first league win for six matches thanks to a Jones Bamfo hattrick.

Surbiton, lying fourth in the league, were brushed aside as the Ruts responded to manager Peter Heyne's call for more determination and desire to be shown, and they took the game to their opponents from the outset.

Leon Trowbridge had the first real opening but screwed his shot wide after being put clean through. Alan Whiter then shot just wide and fizzed another effort over the bar as the Ruts looked for the opener.

Bamfo was tormenting his markers with his pace and trickery up front and he hit the post with a neat volley before seeing his curler tipped onto the bar as Surbiton held on to a goalless scoreline at the break.

The second half continued in much the same pattern as the Ruts pressed forward. On 50 minutes Steve Nicola cut inside his man and burst into the box, only to shoot wide.

Five minutes later the pressure finally told when Bamfo put the Ruts ahead, latching onto a long free-kick and poking the ball in from a tight angle.

Surbiton struggled to create much as a determined defence kept them at bay, and it was the Ruts who looked likeliest to score again.

On 70 minutes a quick free-kick found Nicola in space in the centre circle and he drove forward, releasing Bamfo who cut inside the last man and cooly slotted past the keeper for 2-0.

Ten minutes from time the Ruts wrapped it up when Whiter dispossessed the full-back on the edge of the area and unselfishly crossed for Bamfo to glance a header in and seal a comfortable and deserved victory.

Scorers: Jones Bamfo (2), John Mumford

Old Rutlishians forced their way onto the fringes of the promotion picture with a blistering second half performance to defeat title-chasing Battersea.

Because teams above them have lost points after Godstone’s record was expunged after their withdrawal, this result puts the Ruts in contention for a high finish that looked well beyond them a week ago.

But the Ruts started slowly and showed Battersea too much respect in the first half, going 2-0 down within half an hour as the home side dominated.

Philippe Rivet had a free-kick well saved and John Mumford glanced a header just wide, but that was all the Ruts had to show for the first 45 minutes in which they couldn’t get their passing game going on a terrible pitch.

The Ruts emerged for the second period in determined mood however and set about attacking their hosts. On the hour mark they were awarded a penalty for handball but sub Alan Morley saw his spot-kick saved.

That would usually be the signal for heads to drop but the Ruts showed tremendous character and kept battling. They were rewarded minutes later when Morley swung over a left-wing cross and Mumford nipped ahead of his man to nudge it in the corner for 2-1.

With their tails up and Phil Rea and Alan Whiter dominating the midfield, the Ruts kept pressurising and on 70 minutes Jones Bamfo equalised, running onto a through ball and side-footing his shot wide of the keeper.

A shell-shocked Battersea tried to regain their lead but the Ruts had tightened up considerably at the back. Battersea had their only real chance of the half when a deflected shot was heading for the bottom corner before keeper Roland Heal showed terrific reflexes to stick out a leg and keep the Ruts level.

On 75 minutes Steve Nicola went on a determined run and slipped the ball to Bamfo inside the box and the pacy striker was scythed down for another penalty. This time Bamfo himself stroked the ball home and an amazing comeback was complete.

Determined defending ensured Battersea never looked like equalising and the jubilant Ruts can look forward to renewing their league programme after Christmas with something to play for once again.

Scorers: John Mumford (2), Alan Morley (2), Jones Bamfo

Old Rutlishians resumed their league campaign after a three week break with a resounding win at relegation-threatened Sutton High.

It was the perfect game to get the sharpness back and the Ruts quickly took control with two goals inside 25 minutes.

On 15 minutes in-form striker Jones Bamfo scored his seventh goal in four games when he hit a powerful drive that the keeper got a hand to but could not keep out.

10 minutes later it was 2-0 after a through ball from skipper Phil Rea found John Mumford down the inside right channel, and he powered into the penalty area before striking a low shot into the bottom corner.

Before the break the Ruts made the game safe when Dave Cundy’s header from a corner was flicked on by fellow centre-back Matt Coulson and Mumford was perfectly placed to nod it over the line.

Sutton had a reasonable amount of possession but lacked penetration, whereas the vision of Rea in midfield and Bamfo’s trickery was causing their defence all sorts of problems.

And it was Bamfo who made the fourth immediately after the restart when he broke clear and squared for Alan Morley to tap in.

Now kicking downhill with the strong wind at their backs the Ruts dominated the rest of the game and Sutton’s keeper pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the score down.

He could do nothing about Morley’s second on the hour mark though, and at 5-0 manager Peter Heyne thought it safe enough to bring on Graham Clayton for the last 15 minutes to inject a bit more pace into his front line.

So the Ruts can reflect on a solid performance and clean sheet which now makes it three wins in a row and keeps their promotion hopes intact.

Scorers: Alan Morley, Alan Whiter

Old Rutlishians completed the double over Battersea as they made it four wins on the bounce to move to within three points of the lead.

Their excellent recent form has seen the Ruts bulldoze their way into the promotion fray and they have a dominant first half performance to thank for this latest victory.

The Ruts looked sharp from the outset and shrugged off the loss of injured right-back John Woods early on to take the lead after 20 minutes. Skipper Phil Rea brought the ball out of defence and slipped it in-field to Steve Nicola, who played in Alan Morley down the inside-right channel. His pace took him clear and as the ‘keeper came charging out of his area, Morley knocked it round him and shot in off the post from fully 30 yards.

The Ruts were in control and could have made it two when Dave Cundy’s long clearance found Jones Bamfo clean through but he shot just wide.

Bamfo did better on 35 minutes when he created the crucial second goal. Finding himself in space on the left after a good ball from Rea, he cut inside the last defender before unselfishly laying the ball across goal for Alan Whiter to tap into an empty net.

Bamfo could have made the game safe moments before the break when he was through once again but fired his effort into the side-netting.

The second half looked like it would follow the same pattern as the first when Whiter shot just over early on. But Battersea brought on an extra striker and pressurised the Ruts for the remainder of the game as they fought to get back in it.

They pulled one back with twenty minutes left and it was game on, but the Ruts have tightened up considerably in recent matches and were in no mood to throw their lead away.

With the defence well marshalled by Cundy and Matt Coulson, Battersea were unable to test ‘keeper Roland Heal despite having plenty of possession and the Ruts held on for a deserved victory.

Scorers: Jones Bamfo (3), Alan Morley

Jones Bamfo notched his second hat-trick of the season to help Old Rutlishians to a fifth straight win which has seen them power up Division One.

The Ruts are now just two points off the top, although they have played two games more than the teams around them, which makes next week’s visit of leaders Warlingham all the more crucial.

Warlingham will provide a much sterner test than Oxted, who were unable to cope with the pace and skill of red-hot striker Bamfo. He opened the scoring on 20 minutes when he seized on a poor back pass, knocked it past the keeper and shot home from an acute angle.

It was no more than the Ruts deserved as they dominated the opening period. Dave Cundy should have made it two when he stole in unmarked at the back post but blazed over when it was easier to score. Alan Morley and Phil Rea both had efforts cleared off the line, while Alan Whiter fizzed a drive centimetres wide of the upright.

At the other end keeper Roland Heal was troubled only once when he plunged low to his right to keep out a long range effort.

On 35 minutes Bamfo made it 2-0 to give the Ruts a cushion to take into the break. Full-back Philippe Rivet set off on a determined run and passed to Steve Nicola, who beat a defender before laying it off for Bamfo to round the keeper and once again score from a tight angle.

Oxted pushed on more after the break but it was the Ruts who had the first chance when Morley had an effort disallowed for offside.

Heal then tipped a speculative effort onto the post before Morley killed the game when he took advantage of some hesitant defending to steal in and volley home number three.

Morley turned provider when his cross was well controlled by Bamfo to smack home his third on 70 minutes. And he could have made it 5-0 but he headed another Morley cross over from close range.

There was still time for Heal to make his third good save of the day and keep a well-earned clean sheet, and Whiter hit a crashing 25 yarder that was tipped over in the dying moments.

So the Ruts can reflect on a job well done despite not playing as fluently as they have in the past few weeks. "It was terrific to see us win our fifth game in a row," said Ruts President Gavin Lennard, "and we must carry that form into next week’s crunch game with Warlingham."

Scorer: own goal

A woeful performance saw Old Rutlishians’ five-match winning streak ended by Sutton High, a team the Ruts hammered 5-0 last month.

The Ruts played as though they expected a repeat scoreline would be a formality and were brought back to reality pretty sharpish as relegation-threatened Sutton had the better of the opening exchanges.

Keeper Roland Heal was the only Rut to emerge from the game with any credit and he kept his side in it during the first half, making four excellent saves.

But it was the Ruts who took the lead on 20 minutes when Leon Trowbridge fed Steve Nicola inside the box and he squared across the six-yard line towards Alan Morley. Just as Morley was preparing for an easy tap-in a defender made a last-ditch lunge to clear it but could only knock it into the roof of the net.

The Ruts settled and could have gone further ahead when Ben Barber found himself unmarked in the area, but as he went round the keeper he was knocked out of his stride and a covering defender cleared with the referee ignoring legitimate-looking claims for a penalty.

Sutton deservedly equalised before the break from a direct free-kick which Heal got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

And the visitors were gifted the lead on the hour mark thanks to a defensive mix-up that would have been embarrassing in an under-8s game. Heal’s attempted clearance was blocked inside the box and three defenders - each of whom had an opportunity to clear - got in each other’s way and allowed the striker an easy tap-in.

The Ruts pressed forward but were hampered by an inability to play the easy ball and failed to make inroads into the Sutton defence. The introduction of young Paul Dodd restored some much-needed order to the midfield and the chances at last started to come in the last fifteen minutes as Sutton tired.

Jones Bamfo blasted narrowly over from ten yards and then hit the side netting, Alan Whiter shot just wide, Greg Bramwell misdirected a close-range header from an excellent Che White cross before volleying another opportunity straight at the keeper.

At the other end Heal continued to frustrate Sutton when he tipped a shot onto the bar, while White almost levelled late on with a left-foot drive that was well held.

But Sutton stood firm and put a serious question mark against the promotion credentials of the Ruts, who if nothing else at least learnt a valuable lesson about complacency.

Scorers: Steve Nicola (2), John Mumford

An injury time winner from Steve Nicola kept Old Rutlishians in the promotion frame as they moved into third place with their sixth win out of seven.

With the top two eligible for promotion the Ruts are just three points behind second place Coney Hall who still have to visit Poplar Road, so a win against bottom club Ashtead was a must.

It looked done and dusted after 30 minutes as the Ruts swept into a 2-0 lead. Star striker Lee Poulter was back from a long term injury and caused problems for Ashtead right from the start with his intelligent running and pace.

On 15 minutes he chipped a ball into John Mumford’s path and the midfielder lifted it over the advancing keeper for the opening goal.

Poulter then delivered a good ball across the face of goal but strike partner Alan Morley just failed to convert.

The Ruts looked well on their way a few minutes later though when Steve Nicola doubled the lead. Stumbling his way through a couple of half-hearted challenges he laid it off to Mumford who drew the keeper and unselfishly squared across the six-yard box for Nicola to tap into an empty net.

However, a crazy three minute spell before halftime saw Ashtead pull it back to 2-2 after poor defending and the shell-shocked Ruts took a while to recover.

The game was on a knife-edge in the second half with both teams needing the points for different reasons. Alan Morley had a couple of one-on-ones saved by the keeper and Alan Whiter struck a daisy-cutter wide as the Ruts created the best chances.

But Ashtead threatened too, most notably when a cross-shot flashed across the face of goal with no forward on hand to convert.

A draw looked the most likely result as the game entered the closing stages, but Ruts manager Peter Heyne took the bull by the horns and switched to 3-4-3 as one point was no good to either side.

Almost immediately Mumford sprayed the ball wide left to Morley and he beat a couple of defenders before cutting inside and firing a vicious shot which the keeper could only parry. And as the ball bounced loose Nicola reacted quickest to despatch a low drive through a forest of bodies and claim those all-important three points.

Scorers: Alan Morley (2), Matt Coulson, Alan Whiter

A terrific performance from Old Rutlishians saw them beat the league leaders and close the gap to just two points at the top of the table.

Warlingham had hammered the Ruts 6-1 on the opening day of the season and they were pumped up for revenge, starting much the better side as they took the game to their visitors.

It took ten minutes to create the first real chance when Alan Morley’s superb cross was met by Lee Poulter, who was unlucky to see his diving header clear the bar.

Ten minutes later and the Ruts had the lead. Alan Whiter’s corner was attacked by centre-back Matt Coulson who planted a bullet header in the back of the net for his first goal for the club.

The game changed on the half-hour mark though when a Warlingham defender was sent off for swearing at the referee.

As so often happens in these situations the 10-men worked extra hard and were by no means overrun. In fact they looked more dangerous than before and forced keeper Roland Heal into one excellent save as halftime approached.

After the break Warlingham came out looking for the equaliser and went close straightaway when a corner flashed across the face of goal without anyone touching it.

But that was the last scare before the Ruts took complete control, putting the game out of sight by the hour mark with three goals in ten scintillating minutes.

Morley started it off on 50 minutes when he ran onto Poulter’s intelligent flick and stroked the ball past the keeper. The belief seemed to drain out of Warlingham after that and the Ruts played some lovely football, pressing home their advantage to the full.

Alan Whiter made it 3-0 when he struck after Leon Trowbridge’s mis-hit shot landed at his feet 12 yards out.

And on 60 minutes it was four after excellent work by Che White on the left flank. His low cross was converted by Morley and the contest was all over.

There were more opportunities for the Ruts as Poulter blasted wide when well positioned after a good through ball from the impressive Trowbridge, and Steve Nicola was thwarted by a last ditch tackle after a mazy run.

The Ruts eased off after that and Warlingham threatened a few times with Heal having to react sharply to kick away a close range shot.

With Dave Cundy and Coulson keeping things tight at the back though there was no way back for Warlingham, although they did grab a late consolation.

But the plaudits go to the Ruts for a disciplined and composed display which has thrown the title race wide open with the top three being separated by just two points, although the teams around the Ruts have games in hand.

Scorers: Lee Poulter (2), Steve Nicola

Lee Poulter scored his one hundredth club goal as Old Rutlishians ground out a result in terrible conditions to go top of the table for the first time this season.

Although they have played two games more than the three other teams in the title frame this victory makes it eight wins out of nine and keeps the pressure on the chasing sides.

There was never going to be much good football played on the bumpy, boggy pitch but the Ruts set about their opponents from the start aided greatly by the strong wind at their backs.

It took just five minutes for the conditions to have an effect as Poulter’s cross-shot bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper who allowed it to squirm between his legs and over the line for 1-0.

After that Surbiton’s game plan was to try and keep the score down until the second half when they would be kicking downwind.

It worked well too because despite launching wave after wave of attacks the Ruts could not add to their tally. Alan Whiter hit the bar and fizzed another shot narrowly wide, Poulter forced a terrific save from the keeper and Jones Bamfo missed a one-on-one.

The conditions prevented either side showing much quality but on 35 minutes the game was illuminated by a moment of magic from Steve Nicola. Receiving a short pass from Bamfo he took a couple of strides towards goal before unleashing a wonderful 30-yard curler into the top corner to give the Ruts a two-goal lead to defend after the break.

Surbiton came into the game more in the second period as they took advantage of the wind but struggled to create any clear openings.

In fact the Ruts looked just as dangerous on the break and Poulter should have done better when clean through.

He made no mistake on the hour mark though when he notched his landmark 100th goal with a cool finish to make it 3-0 and seemingly wrap up the match.

But Surbiton pulled one back and threw everything forward in the last 20 minutes as the Ruts held on to what they had.

Ruts keeper Roland Heal had only one save to make in the first half and continued his recent good form by handling all Surbiton could muster, making one good stop in particular low to his right.

And although Surbiton scored a consolation in injury time there was no way back for them and the Ruts had showed enough character and desire to be well worth the win.

Scorer: Alan Whiter

Old Rutlishians blew their slim promotion chances as they suffered a poor defeat at home to Greenside, who have now leapfrogged them in the table.

The Ruts got off to the worst possible start when Greenside scored inside a minute after a scramble following a corner.

But they were back on level terms with their first attack five minutes later. Steve Nicola drove the ball across the penalty area and when Lee Poulter’s shot was parried, Alan Whiter was on hand to tap the rebound into an empty net.

That should’ve been the signal for the Ruts to push on and take control of the game but it was Greenside who proceeded to dominate possession although they couldn’t carve out any clear openings.

It remained 1-1 at the break and with the wind now at their backs the Ruts were confident of putting more pressure on their visitors.

But their chances were hampered when Dave Cundy and Steve Berry both limped off and a team reshuffle ensued. Greenside took full advantage and went ahead following a swift break after a Ruts corner was cleared.

Knowing a win was vital to keep the pressure on the three teams ahead of them, Ruts manager Peter Heyne threw caution to the wind and went 3-4-3 for the last 20 minutes.

The Ruts made more chances with Che White firing just over and Whiter shooting straight at the keeper from a narrow angle, but there was plenty of space to be exploited at the back and Greenside made it 3-1 on the break 10 minutes from time.

Poulter hit the bar as the Ruts tried in vain to get back in the match, but their fate was sealed late on with another Greenside strike giving the score a flattering look, although the visitors were well worth their win.

Scorer: Steve Berry

A missed penalty cost Old Rutlishians dear as they lost at home for the second week in a row and must now settle for a fifth place finish.

Lee Poulter blazed his spot-kick high and wide after excellent work from Jones Bamfo had earnt the penalty when he robbed a defender, drove into the box and his pull-back was handled.

That was just moments into the second half and would've made it 2-2 and given the Ruts the initiative, but it was not to be.

Coney deserved the win overall and started well, enjoying most of the possession. But the first real chance fell to the Ruts when Phil Rea ran on to Bamfo’s clever through ball and could only volley into the side netting.

Coney went ahead on 20 minutes but the hosts were soon level when Steve Berry ran at the last defender before making room for a low right foot drive from the edge of the area which crept into the corner.

Just as it looked as though the teams would be level at the break Coney stole a 2-1 halftime lead with a close range finish after poor defending.

The Ruts lost Rea and Steve Nicola through injury and illness respectively and emerged for the second half with a reshuffled line-up.

And aside from the missed penalty they were unable to create much. Poulter hit a sweet shot that was ruled out for offside, but that apart it was Coney who threatened mostly, forcing Roland Heal into one particularly good save when the Ruts keeper was left hopelessly exposed.

So an unexciting second half ended with Coney celebrating the three points that keeps them in the title race and the Ruts reflecting on two consecutive home defeats which have ruled them out of it.