By Steve Nicola

Old Rutlishians secured trophy number two of their treble quest with a hard fought win over Shalford to lift the SCIWL Reserve Challenge Cup.

Playing in front of their biggest crowd of the season (their previous best attendance was 8 including subs) the Ruts started poorly as Shalford dominated the opening 20 minutes without ever really threatening keeper James Howarth. The Ruts just couldn't put any moves together and resorted to punting long balls for Paul Hull and Adam Clark to chase.

However, on 25 minutes the Ruts snatched the lead with a quality move. Steve Berry got into an attacking position on the right flank for the first time in the match after being forced to play auxiliary right back as Shalford pressurised. But he revelled at the opportunity to run at the defence and cut inside, laying a square pass to Hull in the 'D'. Hull waited for the right moment before slipping a clever through ball for Berry and although his first shot was saved, Berry tucked home the rebound for 1-0.

The Ruts perked up and came into the match more. On a bobbly, hard pitch though neither side was able to get the ball down and play much good football, especially as both sets of players were quick to close down their opponents.

As a result no clear chances were made at either end until the stroke of halftime when a long clearance caused confusion between a Shalford defender and his keeper and Hull was able to walk the ball into an empty net.

Shalford trudged off at halftime scarcely believing they were two goals down in a match they'd had the better of, but the Ruts had taken their opportunities while Shalford lacked creativity in the final third.

The second goal seemed to drain the spirit from Shalford and the Ruts enjoyed a good spell just after the interval, Clark going close to scoring when he made a 'lightnighting' run into the box but just failed to connect with Kevin Foster's cross.

A Shalford free kick on the hour mark swung the pendulum again though when a superb cross was converted from close range and the game was back in the balance at 2-1.

Now the Ruts steely determination came to the fore and the midfield and defence worked hard to prevent Shalford breaking through. Clark had run himself into the ground with some unselfish running for the team and was replaced by nippy young striker Reece Smith, who was to cause the tiring Shalford defence plenty of problems in the closing stages.

Shalford committed more men forward as the game wore on but found no way past a solid Ruts back line for whom Dave Cundy was outstanding, bravely launching himself into headers and crunching tackles to keep Shalford at bay. Jeremy Capper and Steve Andrews had tightened up the midfield since halftime, although Andrews will be disappointed he was booked for only his 83rd foul of the evening.

Smith was providing a good outlet on the break for the Ruts and on 75 minutes he beat his man and sent in a low shot which the keeper could only kick out to Paul Beaumont 10 yards out. The Ruts bench were on their feet shouting 'goal' only for Beaumont to somehow roll his shot inches wide of the gaping net.

As the game entered injury time (and with Shalford still not looking like turning their possession into a decent chance, nevermind an equaliser) the Ruts broke and Hull found himself with just one defender between him and goal. Looking up and seeing he had Gary Langton in acres of space to his left, Hull sensibly ignored him and sped into the area where he was clumsily brought down. Dusting himself off, he slotted the penalty into the bottom corner and the Ruts could start celebrating.

The ref somehow found seven minutes of injury time but eventually blew the final whistle allowing the Ruts to celebrate a league and cup double and cheer captain John Wood as he lifted the trophy.