Old Rutlishians marked their debut match in the Amateur Fooball Combination with a comfortable win over Old Bromleians.

The Ruts were always in control although they toiled away without reward in the first half. Alan Whiter, Lee Poulter and Paul Tuckey all went close as the Ruts searched for the breakthrough, but it remained 0-0 at the interval.

After the break the Ruts pressure finally told when Paul Hull turned in Whiter’s flick to open the scoring with his lethal right foot.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0 when Steve Nicola’s 40 yard through ball was latched onto by Tuckey, who coolly lobbed the onrushing keeper.

Tuckey grabbed his second on the hour mark when he received a pass from Craig Lyle and finished in style off the crossbar.

The game was won by then as Old Bromleians were struggling to make any impression against the Ruts defence.

Sub Steve Berry then set up Hull to smash home number four with a rasping volley before Lee Poulter made it 5-0 from close range after Dave Cundy played the ball across the face of goal.

Old Bromleians grabbed a well-struck consolation in injury time but that couldn’t take the gloss off a good result for the Ruts.

A hattrick from Paul Tuckey was the highlight of a comfortable afternoon's work for Old Rutlishians as they swept aside Kings Old Boys reserves.

Tuckey headed in Paul Hull's 15th minute corner to get things going, but the Ruts were rocked on their heels when the home side controversially equalised soon after. The ref harshly waved away appeals that keeper Gavin Coutts was fouled as he went to claim a high ball, leaving a King's player a simple finish.

On the half hour mark Tuckey restored the Ruts lead with Hull again the provider and just before the break it was 3-1 when good work from Tuckey resulted in an own goal.

In the second half the Ruts overwhelmed their opponents and were soon 5-1 up thanks to a Lee Poulter double. His first was guided into an empty net from long range after the keeper came out to clear and he then converted Alan Whiter's excellent left-wing cross at the near post.

Ten minutes from time Whiter broke clear down the right and squared it for Tuckey to complete his hat-trick.

And in the dying moments sub Del Depeza made it 7-1 when the keeper came charging out to deny Poulter a one-on-one chance, only for the ball to fall kindly for Depeza to steer into the open goal.

"The team showed good discipline under difficult circumstances," said manager Graham Clayton, "and scoring two goals late on was a credit to the fact the team worked hard for the whole 90 minutes."

Old Rutlishians secured their third win on the trot despite making heavy weather of beating a stubborn Valley Park Rangers side.

The Ruts were quickly into their stride and took an early lead when Russell Nixon headed in Alan Whiter's corner.

Nixon flashed another header wide shortly after while at the other end keeper Gavin Coutts spread himself superbly to parry a point blank effort and preserve the Ruts lead.

On 25 minutes it was 2-0 when Whiter ran onto John Woods' long through ball and volleyed emphatically into the net.

The Ruts were guilty of easing off after that and Valley Park almost made them pay when they hit the bar shortly before the break.

Valley Park pressed forward more in an unremarkable second half and with 15 minutes to go pulled one back.

But the Ruts held on to claim the points despite a below par performance. Ruts manager Graham Clayton said: "Their skipper was spot on when I overheard him telling his manager "if they had been a good team they would have stuffed us". The only things I am pleased with are the result and Gavin Coutts, who was solid in goal and one of the few to treat the game as seriously as he should have."

A dominant second half performance ensured Old Rutlishians chalked up their fourth win on the trot.

Superior fitness told in the last half hour as the Ruts threatened to score every time they came forward.

Up until that point it was an even match with Whitgiftians creating the better chances early on. In the first 20 minutes they hit the post and forced Ruts keeper Gavin Coutts into a fine save as the home side struggled to find any rhythm.

But the Ruts improved as the half wore on and just before the break Russell Nixon latched onto Alan Whiter’s flick only to see his effort come back off the post.

The breakthrough came on 60 minutes when Leon Trowbridge's cross was converted from close range by Jimmy Wilkes.

This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Whitgiftians and it was soon 2-0 when Paul Hull's corner went in at the near post off a defender.

The Ruts were now getting a lot of joy out wide and created plenty of chances as Whitgiftians tired with Courtney Sewitt (who had a fine game on his first team debut) going close on more than one occasion.

Hull then hit the bar with a free-kick but the Ruts could not add to their tally, having to settle for a 2-0 win that stretches their lead at the top of the table.

Old Rutlishians continued their recent habit of performing below their best but still winning matches as they made it five victories in a row.

They got the best possible start when John Woods' fifth minute free kick was helped on by Courtney Sewitt for Billy Finnis to convert from close range.

Steve Rowlands had headed a corner just wide only moments before and the Ruts continued to make chances as they dominated proceedings. Finnis went close with a header after a good run and cross from Paul Hull before Matt Crowley had a shot well held after a mazy run.

The Ruts had to make do with a one goal lead going into the break yet almost doubled it early in the second half when Rowlands headed against the post.

They got a little breathing space on 55 minutes though when Steve Nicola's flicked header from an inswinging Hull corner made it 2-0.

Tiffinians responded well and a sweet left foot shot gave Ruts keeper Gavin Coutts no chance and reduced the arrears to 2-1.

Hull then restored the two goal advantage with a long range effort and Coutts produced a magnificent save to keep it at 3-1 on 75 minutes.

But moments later he was beaten from the spot after a rash tackle from Matt Crowley in the penalty area.

The Ruts had chances to score number four as Tiffinians pushed forward late on but claimed the 3-2 win even though there's still plenty of room for improvement in their play.

"'If we want to be a good side then we have to start working less as individuals and more as a team," blasted manager Graham Clayton.

Rutlishians made heavy weather of overcoming a determined Leyton side from a lower division to advance to round two of the London Old Boys Cup.

Leyton caught their hosts cold after just three minutes when they took a shock lead.

Russell Nixon almost replied immediately when he made space for himself before cracking a shot against the post, but the equaliser seemed only a matter of time as it was all one way traffic.

Paul Tuckey duly made it 1-1 on 10 minutes before the prolific Leon Trowbridge put the Ruts ahead from close range.

Courtney Sewitt latched onto Nixon’s through ball to stroke home number three before Alan Whiter headed the Ruts into a commanding 4-1 lead after just half an hour.

Jimmy Wilkes then contrived to head over an open goal from two yards before Sewitt got his second of the afternoon and a cricket score looked on the cards. But the malaise of recent weeks gripped the Ruts once more as they relaxed and let their opponents back into the match instead of killing it off.

Leyton pulled one back just before the break and despite the Ruts dominating the second period Leyton clinically took their chances on the break and amazingly reduced the deficit to 5-4.

The Ruts were guilty of wasteful finishing and a poor final ball as Leyton’s keeper made smart saves to deny Sewitt, Wilkes and Nixon, who had a fine game down the left wing.

But the pressure finally told when Tuckey glanced home a header for 6-4 on 80 minutes to wrap up the win and was inches away from a hattrick moments later when he hit the bar.

Old Rutlishians made hard work of beating lowly Reigatians, but when the breakthrough finally came the floodgates opened.

A first half of poor quality ended scoreless despite the Ruts dominating. Leon Trowbridge shot just wide and Paul Hull drove an effort narrowly over as the home side looked for a way through.

The opening goal didn’t come until the 55th minute when Hull’s through ball was latched onto by Paul Tuckey and the pacy striker flicked his shot over the advancing keeper.

The energy seemed to drain out of Reigatians after that and the buoyed Ruts added the second ten minutes later. Jimmy Wilkes acrobatically crossed for Lee Poulter to out-jump the keeper and head in from six yards.

Ruts keeper Craig Wellstead was a virtual spectator as the Ruts finally remembered how to play football and it was soon 3-0 when Hull superbly dribbled past three players before slotting home from virtually the byline.

Dave Cundy almost scored on a rare sortie forward when he unleashed a 25 yard howitzer that fizzed past the post, and sub Matt Crowley headed into the side netting with his first touch.

Nick Munroe then came off the bench to help himself to a couple of late goals, first of all converting an unselfish cross from Matt Blomeley and then firing a drive in off the bar after a good run from Courtney Sewitt.

Manager Graham Clayton was nevertheless unhappy about that woeful opening 45 minutes: “We hit rock bottom in the first half but the penny seemed to drop in the second.”

Old Rutlishians wasted a number of chances in front of goal but still cruised to a comfortable victory that extends their 100% record this season.

The Ruts started well and Paul Tuckey glanced a header just wide before Alan Whiter headed against a post.

The breakthrough came on 15 minutes when Nick Munroe made the most of a defensive mix up to tap the ball into an empty net.

Keeper Craig Wellstead had just one save to make in the entire match which he dealt with just before the break and it seemed to be a question of how many the Ruts would score in the second half.

The answer would have been a cricket score had the Ruts not ignored the simple ball so often and most of their players were guilty of overplaying as they looked to add their name to the scoresheet.

As a result only two more goals were added. On 70 minutes Whiter controlled Steve Nicola’s cross before shooting home and Jimmy Wilkes made it 3-0 near the end to add a touch more realism to the scoreline.

In between those strikes Russell Nixon headed just wide and Steve Rowlands was unlucky not to add a finishing touch at the far post from a corner.

Two goals in the last ten minutes of extra time put the Ruts through to round three of the Surrey Cup after they seemed set to suffer the embarrassment of losing to 10 men.

Horsley can feel aggrieved after suffering a harsh sending off in the 40th minute to take the lead in extra time, only to lose it so cruelly at the death.

But the Ruts worked hard to raise their game for this tie as their 100% record this season was seriously tested for the first time.

They started well but it was Horsley who opened the scoring when a low cross was converted at the far post on 20 minutes.

The Ruts were deservedly level 10 minutes later when Jimmy Wilkes played an accurate long pass into the area for Paul Hull to control and fire home.

Then came the moment that changed the match when a Horsley defender was penalised for an innocuous looking challenge in the area. The ref then took exception to his language as he protested his innocence and sent him off.

To further rub salt into the wound the referee ordered a retake for encroachment when Hull’s penalty was saved. Hull made no mistake second time around, blasting his shot straight down the middle to give the Ruts a 2-1 halftime lead.

Horsley were clearly fired up by the apparent injustice of it all and were more determined than the Ruts during the second period, so much so that it was hard to tell who had the ten men.

Leon Trowbridge was forced into an excellent last ditch challenge to prevent an equaliser as the Ruts struggled to find any rhythm.

The Ruts made just one chance of note when Hull’s shot rebounded to Courtney Sewitt who blazed over from 10 yards.

At the other end Ruts keeper Zanz was in excellent form keeping Horsley at bay, commanding his area well and making good punches and catches when necessary.

But on 80 minutes he was controversially beaten when a striker charged in at waist level with his studs showing, knocking the ball out of his hands and leaving Zanz injured in a heap on the floor. The ref incredibly allowed the goal prompting the more cynical spectators to wonder if the ref had subconsciously ‘evened it up’ after the dubious penalty award.

Extra time passed without note until the second period when a long ball was headed in to put Horsley 3-2 up.

The Ruts were finally shaken into life and within a minute it was 3-3 when Paul Tuckey's shot from outside the area was parried and Steve Nicola was on hand to tap home from an acute angle.

And with Horsley still reeling the Ruts won the game three minutes from time when Nicola intercepted a pass in midfield and sent Nick Munroe away down the right. His excellent low cross was missed by Whiter but Tuckey was on hand to sweep the ball in, prompting relieved manager Graham Clayton to do a ‘Barry Fry-esque’ run of delight down the touchline as the Ruts capped a dramatic comeback.

Old Rutlishians kept up their 100% start to the season with a good win that puts them through to round three of the London Old Boys challenge cup.

Jimmy Wilkes got the Ruts off to the perfect start after 10 minutes, controlling the ball before fizzing a low drive into the corner from the edge of the area.

But on 20 minutes Whitgiftians equalised when sloppy Ruts marking allowed a free header that looped over keeper Gavin Coutts.

The Ruts were still dominant at this point and Alan Whiter shot narrowly wide as they looked to retake the lead. Steve Rowlands was then unlucky to see his acrobatic effort bounce off the bar and striker Nick Munroe, who was having an excellent game, was denied by the legs of the keeper.

On 35 minutes the pressure told when Rowlands made it 2-1, latching onto Darren Noonan’s long throw to plant a header in the top corner.

Just before the break a long ball into the Whitgiftians area caused panic and Whiter pounced to coolly make it 3-1.

The second half continued in much the same vein with the Ruts enjoying plenty of possession. But they struggled to get the killer fourth and Whitgiftians made them pay on 70 minutes with an excellent long range strike to make it 3-2.

Munore then had a glorious chance but blasted over after Paul Hull’s shot was parried.

But Munroe made no mistake in the 85th minute when he was put clean through and drilled his shot home to seal victory.

A stunning injury time strike from Steve Nicola preserved Old Rutlishians unbeaten record as they came back from two goals down to snatch a remarkable 4-4 draw.

Nicola thumped a dipping volley from outside the area that flew over the keeper to earn the Ruts a deserved point.

The opening 20 minutes showed no indication that the Ruts would struggle for a draw though as they totally dominated and were 2-0 up.

After five minutes Courtney Sewitt drove the ball across the six yard box and in-form striker Nick Munroe tapped home the opener.

Sewitt then hit the bar with a long range effort before Alan Whiter drove just past the post.

It was 2-0 on 20 minutes when Sewitt found himself clean through and confidently beat the keeper.

But then a moment of madness from Paul Hull let the home side back in it when his underhit back pass was seized upon and scrambled into the net.

Whitgiftians grew in confidence and took advantage of some terrible defending at a corner to make it 2-2 after half an hour.

The Ruts seemed shocked that they had a game on their hands after thinking they’d instead be racking up a cricket score. So much so they played their worst football of the season leading up to halftime and Whitgiftians scored again and also missed a one on one as keeper Gavin Coutts was left hopelessly exposed by his teammates.

The Ruts rallied after the break and got their game together, but Whitgiftians struck on 55 minutes to go 4-2 up and the Ruts first defeat of the season looked on the cards.

But they reacted well and pushed forward with Whitgiftians content to play on the break.

Jimmy Wilkes hit an excellent long range volley that was well held by the keeper and Munroe blazed over when well placed before making amends on 70 minutes when he prodded home a rebound to make it 4-3.

Hull then hit a 25 yarder narrowly over before Nicola wriggled past three men on the touchline and played a one-two with Hull but shot tamely at the keeper.

On 85 minutes Matt Crowley sent over a good cross and Steve Rowlands knocked the ball in but the referee harshly disallowed it for offside.

Then Wilkes found himself in the clear but overran the ball as he tried to get it on his favoured left foot and the keeper smothered it.

A Whitgiftians striker shot wide of an open goal in injury time that would have sealed the match. And the Ruts punished that miss moments later when Rowlands’ free kick was half cleared to Nicola and his wonder-strike got them out of jail.

“That was a Jekyll and Hyde performance,” said manager Graham Clayton, “showing the best and worst sides of us. But we showed good character to get back in it.”

Paul Hull produced a virtuoso performance up front as he scored four times to help Old Rutlishians to a comfortable win.

The Ruts started brightly with Nick Munroe blasting an early chance straight at the keeper.

On 10 minutes Hull opened the scoring when he slalomed through the City defence before going round the keeper and knocking the ball in.

Jimmy Wilkes then produced a weak effort when well placed at the far post and Leon Trowbridge miscued an attempted long range lob which went harmlessly wide as the Ruts continued to press.

On 20 minutes it was 2-0 when Dave Cundy sent a looping cross to the far post and Alan Whiter rose above everyone to convert from close range.

The hosts got themselves back into it almost immediately when hesitant defending allowed a City striker to shoot past Gavin Coutts.

But with City pressurising for an equaliser, the Ruts broke quickly and Nick Munroe sent Hull away down the inside right channel. As the keeper advanced Hull produced a sublime chip with his trusty left to make it 3-1.

The game was put out of City’s reach just before the break when Hull completed his hattrick, glancing home Russell Nixon’s accurate left-wing cross.

With the match over as a contest the second half produced few moments of excitement. Munroe missed when it looked easier to score and substitute Matt Blomeley curled an effort just wide.

Hull was still hungry for goals though and he made it 5-1 with a few minutes remaining, controlling Blomeley’s corner before picking his spot from 15 yards to underline the Ruts dominance.

“It was a solid performance all round from the team,” said manager Graham Clayton, “with a truly outstanding performance from Paul Hull.”

Veteran defender John Woods kept a cool head to slot home the winning penalty in this Surrey Cup third round shootout after extra time could not separate Old Rutlishians and Westside.

The Ruts hero during normal time though was striker Nick Munroe, who notched a hattrick as the Ruts showed great character to battle back from two goals down on two separate occasions.

Westside chose to kick with the strong wind at their backs in the first half and rammed home their advantage by racing into a 2-0 lead after just 20 minutes as the Ruts struggled against the elements.

An Alan Whiter curler and Jimmy Wilkes’ left foot piledriver which skidded just wide were all the Ruts could muster by this stage.

But within five minutes it was 2-1 when Paul Hull played in Munroe to nudge the ball past the onrushing keeper into the corner.

Keeper Gavin Coutts was then fortunate to escape a red card when he brought down a striker outside the box as Westside resumed their dominance.

But his luck ran out on 35 minutes when he was beaten from the spot after a rash challenge resulted in a penalty and the Ruts found themselves 3-1 down.

Just before the interval Steve Nicola ran at the defence and slipped the ball through to Munroe who knocked it past the keeper to hand the Ruts a lifeline going into the break.

With the wind now to their advantage the Ruts dominated the second half. Courtney Sewitt shot wide and Paul Tuckey blasted over as they pushed for the equaliser.

It came on 60 minutes when Nicola intercepted a loose pass out of defence and again played in Munroe, who clinically beat the keeper from just inside the area to make it 3-3.

The Ruts could not force the winner, although Hull’s determined run ended in a Westside defender clearing off the line with his keeper in no man’s land.

Westside finished the stronger though and Coutts was forced into a wonderful diving save to tip a late volley round the post.

Extra time was uneventful as both teams tired on the heavy pitch and the first six penalties of the shootout were all converted with Wilkes, Whiter and Sewitt scoring for the Ruts.

Westside then went 4-3 ahead before Tuckey blazed his effort over the bar to leave Westside a penalty to win the tie.

But Coutts made a tremendous save to keep the Ruts alive, plunging to his left before flinging an arm upward and palming the ball away. That left Hull with a real pressure penalty, knowing a miss would see Westside through, but he coolly placed his shot wide of the keeper to take the shootout into sudden death.

A Westside player then screwed his penalty wide setting the scene for Woods to step up and calmly win the shootout 5-4, booking the Ruts a place in the last sixteen against Royal Holloway Old Boys.

“A very pleasing result,” said Ruts manager Graham Clayton, “the players showed great team spirit to win a hard fought game in terrible conditions.”

Old Rutlishians shook off the festive excesses to sweep aside their opponents and advance to the quarter-finals of the London Old Boys Cup.

An outstanding first-half team performance laid the foundations for the win as the Ruts quickly got into their stride playing some quality football.

They went ahead after 10 minutes when Russell Nixon chased a hopeful through ball that resulted in the keeper kicking the ball against a defender and rebounding in.

The Ruts continued to press with Alan Whiter and Jimmy Wilkes dominating the midfield and Paul Hull showing excellent vision and a good range of passing.

The second goal was on the cards and arrived when Nixon's cross to the back post found Matt Crowley, who unselfishly nodded back for in-form striker Nick Munroe to score his 10th goal in eight games.

With the Ruts dominant Paul Tuckey soon found himself clear on the edge of the box and he cooly chipped the keeper to put the hosts well in command.

On the half hour mark it was 4-0 when a good corner from Hull was nodded in at close range by Tuckey.

With the rock solid defensive pair of Dave Cundy and Mark Kerwick keeping the opposition chances to a minimum and Gavin Coutts in goal producing another faultless display it looked like the Ruts would go in four goals to the good.

But with the last attack of the half Old Kingsburians were awarded a penalty which they converted to give them a glimmer of hope for the second period.

After the interval Old Kingsburians gave everything to get back in the match, but with John Woods marshalling the Ruts defence it held firm.

At the other end the Ruts were still making chances, the best of which fell to Crowley who blasted over from six yards out.

With the game going flat manager Graham Clayton brought on Leon Trowbridge and Billy Finnis to freshen things up.

But it was final sub Matt Blomeley who added to the scoreline when he calmly beat the outrushing keeper after a fine through ball by Whiter to make it 5-1 on 85 minutes.

Clayton was understandably pleased with the result: "The best 45 minutes of our season paved the foundation for a convincing win to get the New Year off to a great start."

A hat-trick from Nick Munroe helped Old Rutlishians to a win that extends their lead at the top of Division Two South to 11 points.

Munroe opened the scoring early on when he tapped in from close range after a defensive mix up, but Old Tiffinians equalised on 10 minutes with their first real attack.

The Ruts dominated possession but failed to create many clear openings until Munroe blasted wide when well placed on 25 minutes.

Paul Tuckey went close with a header and moments before halftime Alan Whiter put the Ruts 2-1 up when he stroked home from 10 yards after Old Tiffinians failed to clear a corner.

The Ruts improved after the break and a devastating 15 minute period put paid to the visitors as they raced into a 4-1 lead.

The third goal came after the best move of the game. Dave Cundy played the ball up to Paul Hull, whose flick sent Courtney Sewitt racing down the left and his excellent deep cross was bravely headed in at the far post by Tuckey.

It was 4-1 when Hull’s free kick struck the bar and Tuckey headed the rebound goalwards, but Munroe made sure by bundling it over the line from two yards.

Ruts keeper Gavin Coutts was a bystander for much of the half, and Jimmy Wilkes should have extended the lead on a couple of occasions. Firstly after a clever weaving run only to shoot straight at the keeper and then missing his kick six yards out after Steve Nicola headed the ball back across goal for him.

It was left to Munroe to score his third and the Ruts fifth when the keeper scuffed his kick straight to him and Munroe delicately lifted the ball over him for a wonderful finish.

Sub Matt Blomeley could have made it six in injury time when a rebound fell his way in the area, but he placed his shot agonisingly wide of an open goal.

Superb finishing and an excellent performance from keeper Gavin Coutts helped Old Rutlishians through to the quarter finals of the Surrey Cup.

The Ruts started well and controlled the opening exchanges before taking a deserved lead through Paul Hull’s sensational strike. Chasing a bouncing ball heading off for a goal kick midway between the penalty area and the corner flag, Hull swivelled and struck a dipping volley a la van Basten from near the byline which looped over the startled keeper and into the far corner.

Royal Holloway responded well and almost equalised soon after when a diving header was brilliantly palmed onto the woodwork by Coutts.

The home side then hit the bar a couple of times as the Ruts rode their luck before Courtney Sewitt put them 2-0 ahead with another wonderful goal. Cutting in from the left Sewitt beat two men before unleashing a stunning 25 yard strike with the outside of his boot which swerved into the top corner to put the Ruts in control at halftime.

The Ruts probably won’t score two better goals all season, but their real match-winner was Coutts. Moments after the restart Royal Holloway looked to have scored but Coutts pulled off the save of the match as he dived full length to tip a shot onto the inside of the post and away.

That was the turning point as minutes later the Ruts went 3-0 up. Sewitt flicked on a long clearance and Nick Munroe ran through to shoot over the keeper.

The Ruts then defended deep and played on the break. Jimmy Wilkes almost capped a good performance with a goal but skied his effort after a good low cross from Sewitt.

Royal Holloway had plenty of possession but weren’t getting much change from the backline of Matt Crowley, John Woods and Dave Cundy. Nevertheless Coutts was still called upon to make two more top drawer saves before being beaten from close range on 80 minutes.

Royal Holloway were playing with three men up front as they tried to get back into it but they left gaps at the back. Sewitt struck the post when clean through and then Munroe hit the bar, with Sewitt heading the rebound goalwards only for the keeper to pull off a good save.

In the last minute Leon Trowbridge found some space on the right and bamboozled a defender with an outrageous dummy before playing a perfect pass to Munroe, who lobbed the keeper from 25 yards to give the scoreline a rather flattering look and set up a quarter final tie at Surrey Combination champions Warlingham.

Old Rutlishians reached the semi-finals of the London Old Boys Challenge Cup with a good win over a side two divisions above them.

They got off to the perfect start when Paul Hull rolled the ball across the six yard box for Nick Munroe to tap in after just three minutes.

But it was 1-1 after 10 minutes following some poor defending by the home side.

Despite toiling away for the rest of the half the Ruts couldn’t regain the lead. They created plenty of chances with no-one going closer than Jimmy Wilkes who struck an audacious shot from the halfway line that saw the keeper back-pedalling furiously to tip over.

Edmontonians nearly made the Ruts pay for being wasteful in front of goal when they struck the bar, but it remained 1-1 at the break.

The Ruts made as good a start to the second half as they had the first when Alan Whiter sent Hull through in the 47th minute. He neatly sidestepped the keeper and rolled the ball in for 2-1.

Ruts keeper Gavin Coutts then had to be at his best to prevent a second Edmontonians equaliser, diving to his left to somehow tip a goalbound shot onto the bar that had looked in all the way.

However the reprieve was only temporary as Edmontonians made it 2-2 on the hour when a shot ricocheted in off the unfortunate Dave Cundy’s shin.

The Ruts then re-took the lead when Paul Tuckey received a pass from Hull and finished well before Munroe made the game safe on 80 minutes with a bullet volley for 4-2.

There was still time for Coutts to bravely smother another chance for Edmontonians, but Hull put the nail in their coffin late on by heading home the fifth from Tuckey’s right-wing cross.

Old Rutlishians needed two penalties to avoid a first defeat of the season after a below par performance.

Despite starting the better side their defending was terrible and Economicals took advantage to race into a 2-0 lead inside 25 minutes.

The Ruts had had their chances though, most notably when Paul Tuckey headed wide and Nick Munroe shot past the post after a good cross from Billy Finnis.

But the Ruts pulled one back on 35 minutes when Steve Nicola was scythed down in the box and Tuckey stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

The visitors were on level terms five minutes into the second half when a Jimmy Wilkes shot was spilled into the path of Munroe, who tapped in from close range.

The Ruts pushed forward looking for the winner and sub Matt Blomeley put Munroe in the clear with a superb cushioned header, but the striker wastefully blasted wide.

Economicals rubbed salt into the wound by immediately going up the other end and scoring with a shot that looped over helpless keeper Gavin Coutts and in off the underside of the bar.

It looked as though the Ruts were going to taste defeat for the first time in a competitive match since last March, but on 85 minutes Wilkes was hauled down in the area before dusting himself down to knock home the penalty and ensure a point apiece.

Old Rutlishians exited the Surrey Cup with a whimper after a woeful performance at SSEC champions Warlingham.

They were second best in every area and went behind early on as they struggled to find any rhythm to their game.

Paul Hull came close to equalising when his header was cleared off the line before Jimmy Wilkes had a goal ruled out for offside.

But that was as close as the Ruts came and on 25 minutes sloppy defending allowed Warlingham’s pacy young striker a clean run on goal to make it 2-0.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and Warlingham got it on 50 minutes when the ball was bundled home from a corner.

Buoyed by how little resistance they were encountering Warlingham relaxed and passed it around the Ruts, who all day had relied too much on long balls through the middle which were easily gobbled up by the Warlingham back line.

Nick Munroe had the Ruts only decent effort of the second half with a volley which was parried by the keeper, and Warlingham added two late goals to seal a thoroughly miserable afternoon for the previously unbeaten Ruts.

Old Rutlishians eventually overcame a stubborn Old Bromleians side to reach the final of the London Old Boys Challenge Cup.

The Ruts were in for a shock if they thought they were going to replicate their comfortable 5-1 victory from earlier in the season as Bromleians dug in and worked hard.

In fact it was Bromleians who came closest to scoring in the first half when they hit the bar from a free kick.

However the Ruts had the lion’s share of possession and chances but couldn’t make it count. Alan Whiter was denied by a brilliant save, Courtney Sewitt fired just wide and Bromleians withstood half a dozen corners to earn their blank halftime scorecard.

Moments after the break the Ruts looked to have taken the lead but Nick Munroe had an effort cleared off the line.

Bromleians had their moments too and from a goalmouth scramble following a corner Ruts keeper Dave Williams produced a fine block to keep the scores level.

It took the introduction of pacy striker Alan Morley to change the game. He had an immediate impact, tormenting the Bromleians backline with his speed and direct running.

Indeed it was Morley who broke the deadlock, reaching a John Woods through ball just before the keeper to nod the Ruts ahead after 70 minutes.

Bromleians looked spent after that and another substitute, Richard Hayward, dribbled through a crowd of players on the edge of the box before coolly slotting home number two for the Ruts on 85 minutes.

Morley had the final word though, making it 3-0 in injury time after his initial shot was parried by the keeper, and the Ruts can now look forward to the final against Old Paulines.

“We are delighted to be in the final.” said Ruts Life President Gavin Lennard. “The introduction of our two left-footed subs swung the game our way, well done to them and the rest of the team.”

League leaders Old Rutlishians comfortably beat their nearest challengers to strengthen their stranglehold on AFC Division Two South.

They started well and should have been ahead on five minutes when Steve Nicola scored with a firm header from the edge of the penalty area, only for the ref to controversially rule it out as Alan Whiter was standing offside on the other side of the area, even though he wasn’t interfering with play.

Alan Morley then had a chance to break the deadlock but was denied by the keeper and moments later Whiter’s cut back was well intercepted just as Morley was about to apply the final touch.

At the other end Ruts keeper Roland Heal had an excellent game and made the first of three outstanding saves when he blocked a point blank effort after some flat footed defending.

Despite the Ruts general dominance the score remained 0-0 at the break and it took a slice of luck to get the crucial opener shortly after the restart.

Nick Munroe let fly with a powerful effort which was parried upwards by the keeper and as the ball fell to earth Morley came in to challenge the keeper, who had one eye on the striker and allowed the ball to bounce and spin over the line.

On 60 minutes the Ruts gave themselves some breathing space when Morley lashed home a loose ball to make it 2-0.

Paul Hull then beat his man before firing a terrific shot into the top corner from 20 yards to all but finish the game at 3-0.

Heal had to make another tremendous block as Kings battled to get back in the match, but was powerless on 70 minutes when Kings pulled it back to 3-1.

Kings then missed a good chance when they were awarded an indirect free kick six yards out for a backpass but the striker shot wastefully over.

Courtney Sewitt then dragged his shot wide after a good solo run, Morley shot at the keeper’s legs and Hawley fired a long range effort wide as Kings tired.

As the match entered injury time the Ruts scored the goal of the game when Nicola threaded a superb 50 yard through ball into the path of Sewitt and the pacy forward unleashed a vicious shot into the roof of the net to complete a good afternoon’s work for the Ruts.

Old Rutlishians needed a last minute equaliser to rescue a point after a poor performance led to a thrilling match against lowly Chertsey Old Salesians.

The home side looked determined to become the first team to beat the Ruts in the league this season and they deservedly took the lead from the penalty spot on 35 minutes after Matt Crowley was adjudged to have held back his man.

The goal had been coming as just moments earlier Ruts keeper Gavin Coutts got down brilliantly to his left to push away a snap shot.

The Ruts had a few half chances but could have no complaints at being a goal down at the break.

Some harsh words at the interval saw the Ruts buck their ideas up and they dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half, sweeping into a 2-1 lead. On 50 minutes Paul Hull nodded in Alan Whiter’s cross and when Jimmy Wilkes’ free-kick was parried by the keeper, Nick Munroe was on hand to knock home the rebound.

Coutts then had to be alert to kick away a low effort while at the other end Courtney Sewitt took too much time with the goal at his mercy and was denied by a last ditch tackle.

The referee handed Chertsey a lifeline when he awarded another penalty against Crowley – this one being so dubious that not one Chertsey player appealed for it – and it was duly converted for 2-2.

A slice of luck then enabled the Ruts to retake the lead on 75 minutes when Whiter’s free kick was headed past his own keeper by an unfortunate defender, but Chertsey refused to give up and stunned the league leaders with goals on 83 and 87 minutes to take a 4-3 lead.

The Ruts threw everything forward in a desperate attempt to preserve their unbeaten record but their last chance looked to have gone when Hull headed against the bar on the stroke of full time.

However Crowley’s long throw in injury time was flicked on by Whiter and Hull was in the right place at the right time to equalise from six yards out.

Old Rutlishians need just one more win to seal the AFC Division Two South title after this comfortable victory.

The scoreline flattered the hosts who had their keeper to thank for restricting the Ruts to just three goals.

Nick Munroe had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring after five minutes but sliced a close-range effort wide after a great cross from the impressive Russell Nixon.

Alan Whiter then fired narrowly over before Jimmy Wilkes was allowed time in the box to place a left-footed curler into the corner for 1-0.

Bromleians had a goal ruled out for offside before Paul Hull scored a tremendous volley to give the Ruts a two goal lead at the break.

The second half was one way traffic with Whiter pulling the strings in midfield, twice putting Munroe clean through but on each occasion the keeper made good blocks.

On 60 minutes a buccaneering run from left back Richard Hayward ended with him crashing a shot off the post but Hull was on hand to tap home the rebound with his trusty right foot.

Ten minutes from time Bromleians pulled one back after the Ruts defence went AWOL but the league leaders ran out comfortable winners to move within touching distance of the title.

Old Rutlishians sealed the AFC Division Two South title with three games to spare in a match more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

On a blustery day and a boggy, uneven pitch good football was always going to be hard to play and consequently chances were at a premium.

However the Ruts made a good start and went ahead on five minutes when Paul Hull curled in a superb 20 yarder for his 50th Ruts goal.

Neither side created much after that although the Ruts enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. Nick Munroe went close and Alan Whiter shot over while at the other end keeper Roland Heal had to be alert to tip an effort over the bar.

The second half followed the same pattern and only livened up late on when Reigatians pushed forward looking for an equaliser.

Courtney Sewitt shot wide before crossing for Hull to nod tamely into the keeper’s arms.

On 85 minutes the Ruts made the points safe when Steve Nicola picked up a loose ball in midfield and played in Sewitt, whose first time shot went in at the near post for 2-0.

Despite Reigatians scoring a late consolation the Ruts saw out what seemed an awful lot of injury time to claim the three points - and with it the league title.

An underperforming Old Rutlishians lost the LOB Challenge Cup final to a hotly disputed goal in extra time.

With the game on a knife edge at 1-1 in the first period of extra time a dangerous challenge on keeper Gavin Coutts went unpunished and the loose ball was swept home.

In truth the Ruts couldn’t complain about the result as they hadn’t played anywhere near their potential and only came alive during the last half hour of normal time as they stepped up a gear in search of an equaliser.

At that stage they trailed 1-0 to a scrappy goal on 30 minutes when a cross was deflected goalwards allowing the striker a simple tap in.

Despite dominating the first 10 minutes the Ruts allowed Paulines back into the match after that and only had a long range effort from Courtney Sewitt to show for their efforts.

Nick Munroe had a good chance early in the second half and Paul Hull headed weakly at the keeper before a Paulines striker blazed over from six yards out on the hour mark.

That sparked the Ruts into life and they raised their game, forcing a succession of corners in the last 15 minutes. From one of these centre half Dave Cundy rose highest to glance in his first goal of the season and level it up on 82 minutes.

It was one way traffic now and Cundy almost grabbed a dramatic winner, unlucky to see his acrobatic header hit the side netting.

On the stroke of full time Paulines could have nicked it as they broke away and Coutts was forced into a tremendous block to save a certain winner.

Alan Whiter injured himself as extra time got underway and with all three subs already used the Ruts had to play on with virtually 10 men as Whiter hobbled around the pitch as best he could to little effect.

Paulines naturally had the upper hand as a result and were unlucky not to score with a stinging shot which came back off the underside of the bar.

Moments later they were 2-1 up thanks to that controversial goal and the Ruts left gaps at the back as they chased the game in the second period, allowing Paulines numerous chances which they spurned.

With five minutes of extra time remaining the Ruts got their big chance as Hull flashed a volley across the face of goal and James Wilkes - sliding in at the far post a la Gazza in Euro 96 - was millimetres away from making it 2-2.

But it was not to be and congratulations to Paulines for holding on for victory, leaving the Ruts to reflect on what might have been had they been as committed in the first hour as they were for the last.

Old Rutlishians slumped to their first defeat of the season as they were outfought and outplayed by an Economicals side chasing promotion.

Having already won the league and with the disappointment of last week’s cup final defeat still lingering, the Ruts failed to show the necessary desire and turned in a woeful display that even the absence of five first team regulars could not excuse.

They actually started quite brightly, but once Economicals opened the scoring on 15 minutes the floodgates opened and the Ruts were 3-0 down at the break.

Further shocking defending and an inability to put together even the most basic of decent passing moves meant the Ruts could only manage one goal in the second half courtesy of Jimmy Wilkes.

But by then Economicals had scored their fourth and the game was over, the three points earning the visitors second place behind the Ruts.

Old Rutlishians got back to winning ways by completing the double over Valley Park Rangers.

They took the lead after just two minutes when Alan Whiter fired in from close range.

But less than a minute later it was 1-1 as keeper Gavin Coutts was left exposed by shoddy marking and was beaten by a low shot.

The game settled down after that whirlwind start and on a rock hard pitch it was difficult to play good football and good chances were scarce.

Andy Flanagan took advantage of one of those chances though when he planted a free header from a corner into the net just before the break to give the Ruts a 2-1 interval lead.

The second half was keenly contested but nobody could make any further breakthrough, despite Valley Park hitting the bar late on.

Old Rutlishians wrapped up their title-winning AFC campaign with a solid win over Chertsey OS.

The margin of victory would have been far greater had the Ruts taken just half their chances as they carved open the Chertsey back line on numerous occasions. Nick Munroe spurned three or four good opportunities but can reflect on a good season overall with an impressive haul of 20 goals.

It took a defender to break the deadlock as Phil Rea marked his return to the team in style, ghosting in undetected to meet Paul Hull’s corner with a bullet header.

James Wilkes then went on a mazy run but couldn’t finish and Courtney Sewitt lobbed the keeper from an acute angle but was unlucky to see his effort drop just over the bar.

On 55 minutes Sewitt made it 2-0 when he ran onto a through ball and headed past the onrushing keeper.

Alan Whiter then broke through the defence but was thwarted by a brave stop from the keeper.

With 15 minutes left Hull got his 24th of the season with a delicate chip, but moments later sloppy marking allowed Chertsey to pull one back.

Graham Clayton could have made it four for the Ruts late on but miscontrolled in front of goal, but it didn’t matter as the Ruts ran out comfortable winners of this match and, in truth, the league itself.