A depleted reserve side got off to the worst possible start in their first season in Division One.

The newly-promoted Ruts were given a lesson in simple football and ended up well beaten by a team showing more imagination and desire.

5-0 down by half-time, the Ruts problems worsened when James Rogers limped off on the hour with no subs left. The 10-men duly conceded another five, but Steve Berry had the last word scoring a consolation goal after good work by skipper Darren Knott.

The Ruts came from a goal behind on two occasions to claim a good away point from a bad-tempered match.

They dominated the opening stages, with Erol Yilmaz having an effort cleared off the line and Tom Goodwin shooting just wide before Croydon took the lead against the run of play. The Ruts levelled before the break though, when skipper Darren Knott knocked in his own penalty rebound after Steve Nicola had been fouled in the box.

Croydon took control of the second half and went 2-1 ahead on the hour from a direct free kick. It was nearly three when James Rogers headed against his own post soon after. But the Ruts slowly got into the match and Steve Nicola went close with a dipping volley before sub Ben Barber hit the bar with a free-kick.

And the equaliser duly came in the 85th minute when Barber converted the Ruts’ second spot-kick of the game to secure a deserved draw.

An excellent display from Old Ruts 'keeper Steve Shaw earned his side a morale-boosting win.

The Ruts started brightly and scored the only goal of the game after 20 minutes when Steve Nicola played in Simon Young, who wrong-footed a defender before shooting home. Craig Lyle almost made it two with a stinging shot which was well saved, and at the other end Shaw made a good block to ensure the Ruts held a deserved half-time lead.

The second period was dominated by South Park, though, and they missed a glorious chance to equalise when Shaw saved a 70th minute penalty. He also produced two outstanding blocks to frustrate the home side, while at the other end Tom Goodwin broke away to hit a post and Darren Knott chipped just over.

But despite their pressure, South Park couldn't equalise and the Ruts claimed the 3 points.

Steve Nicola was the hero of the hour as he scored a dramatic last-gasp winner to ensure the Old Ruts got the three points their play deserved.

They dominated a scrappy first-half not helped by a boggy pitch, and should have been well ahead by the break. Richard Hayward had a header cleared off the line and Ben Barber's shot was well-saved, while at the other end sweeper Matt Crowley blocked a goalbound effort on the line.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute when Hayward finished off a mazy dribble with a fine left-foot shot. But slack defending allowed Cheam an unlikely equaliser 10 minutes later, and as the match entered injury-time a draw looked likely.

However, a goalmouth scramble in the Cheam area produced a penalty for handball, and skipper Darren Knott looked to have blown it when his spot-kick was saved. But a Cheam defender was controversially sent-off for foul and abusive language immediately after, and the resulting free-kick was chested down by Nicola, who volleyed in from eight-yards just seconds before the final whistle.

A gutsy performance from a Hersham side two divisions below the Old Ruts ensured this League Cup first round tie was much closer than expected.

The Ruts started well, with Ben Barber almost scoring after just 10 seconds with a shot that trickled the wrong side of the post. But despite dominating the first half they were only 1-0 up thanks to striker Tom Goodwin's first of the season. He reacted first when James Bone's volley was parried into his path on the half-hour mark.

After 60 minutes Ruts keeper Steve Shaw did well to tip a thundering free-kick onto the bar, only for a Hersham striker following up to tap in the equaliser. This setback spurred the Ruts on, and Barber missed a one-on-one after being sent through by Steve Nicola.

However, Darren Knott soon restored the Ruts advantage, shooting home after a neat one-two with Barber. And Barber himself looked to have sealed the match on 75 minutes when he slid in Goodwin's low cross for 3-1.

Hersham didn't give in though and Shaw made a smart save from another free-kick, before he was beaten with just five minutes left. But the Ruts held on and progress to a third round tie at Greenside Res, as they have a bye in round two.

A controversial sending-off ruined what could have been a good game between two well-matched sides as the Old Ruts crashed out of the Surrey Cup.

The match hinged on a tenth minute incident when Ruts striker Tom Goodwin was clearly fouled in the area. The ref decided it wasn't a penalty, and compounded his error by sending Goodwin off for foul language as the player argued his case.

The home side then showed great spirit and determination to make a game of it and the hard-working Ben Barber - ploughing a lone furrow up front - had a couple of shots well saved. Soon after a flowing move resulted in Danny Poulter heading just over after good work from Barber and Erol Yilmaz.

Just before the break Wallington scored from a penalty after a clumsy handball from Craig Lyle. And to add to the Ruts' misfortune, keeper Steve Shaw dislocated his finger as he tried to save it and had to be replaced by Lyle in goal.

The second half was more one-sided as Wallington sensibly made the extra man count. Despite that Billy Finnis could have levelled on the hour after being put through by the pass of the match from Darren Knott, but the keeper saved his shot. Lyle then made a good save from a free-kick as Wallington started to dominate, but he was finally beaten on 70 minutes to make it 0-2.

Sub Steve Berry almost scored a stunning solo goal after a mazy dribble from the halfway line, but although Wallington added another late on, the Ruts never stopped competing and can be proud of a gutsy performance.

The Old Ruts will be annoyed with themselves for conceding a late winner after working so hard to get back into this game.

Despite keeper Steve Shaw injuring himself just before kick-off (centre-back Matt Payne found himself between the sticks) the Ruts weathered some early pressure and took the lead on 15 minutes when Erol Yilmaz turned a dangerous ball across the face of the goal and Billy Finnis nodded in from close range. But on the half-hour mark Chipstead equalised from the penalty spot after Yilmaz was penalised for pushing.

Darren Knott then had a goal dubiously ruled out for offside after being put through by Steve Nicola, and Chipstead rubbed salt into the wounds by scoring after a quick breakaway just moments later.

A better start to the second half almost brought the Ruts level when Ben Barber's piledriver was parried, but Chipstead soon took control and penned the hosts back. Only some wasteful finishing and a couple of good saves from Payne kept it at 2-1, but the Ruts looked dangerous on the break with Tom Goodwin volleying just over and Barber unlucky not to score after going past the keeper only to be foiled by a last-ditch tackle.

On 80 minutes Goodwin's pass released Finnis down the left and his square ball was tucked home by Knott for 2-2. However, the Ruts' back-line fell asleep as Chipstead retook the lead with a soft goal seconds after the restart to claim a deserved three points.

A superb diving header from midfielder Steve Nicola was scant consolation for the Old Ruts as they were outplayed by league-leaders Nuwood. Already 6-0 down, Nicola converted Matt Crowley's cross on 85 minutes but it was way too little too late.

A talented young Nuwood side set about their visitors with some attractive passing football and were 4-0 ahead at half time, despite three excellent saves from keeper Roland Heal who was left exposed time and time again.

The Ruts tightened up after the break and enjoyed a few chances, Ben Barber heading just over and Nicola volleying straight at the keeper, but they conceded two more sloppy goals and will have to improve if they are to make any headway in this division.

The Old Ruts were forced to settle for a disappointing draw at home to the division's second-from-bottom side after throwing away a two goal lead.

Rob GoldVictor gave them the perfect start with a nice finish early on, and when Peter Kamara made it 2-0 soon after the Ruts were in total control.

But the turning point came on 25 minutes when skipper Darren Knott's chip came back off the bar. If that had gone in it would have been all over, but Battersea rode their luck to get back into the match when they converted a controversial penalty on the half-hour.

The visitors equalised just before the break and turned the game on its head by going 3-2 up on 55 minutes with a long range effort. After that the Ruts dominated as they sought to pull level, and the goal duly arrived on 82 minutes when Craig Lyle fired home from just inside the box.

The Ruts could have won it late on but nobody was on hand to convert Ben Barber's dangerous cross, and so they must reflect on two precious points dropped.

An excellent second-half performance saw the Old Ruts overturn a two-goal half-time deficit and secure their first win in five games.

The Ruts made things hard for themselves by starting badly though, and Warlingham were 2-0 up after 25 minutes. Matt Crowley then cleared one off the line as the Ruts struggled, and Piers Capper went as close as anyone when he hit the bar from a corner at the other end. The turning point came just before the break when 'keeper Roland Heal kept his side in it with what turned out to be a crucial save.

A rejuvenated Ruts totally dominated the second period, but they had to wait until the 65th minute to pull one back when Capper volleyed home. By now they were playing the ball around well and Paul Beaumont equalised on 70 minutes before Steve Berry made it 3-2 when his cross eluded everyone and went in.

Beaumont then added two late goals to complete his hat-trick and ensure an ultimately comfortable Victory and three valuable points.

A Scott Hawley goal after just 20 seconds set the Ruts on their way to a convincing Victory and a place in the League Cup quarter-finals.

Hawley turned in Steve Berry's cross to prompt a half of one-way traffic, and Paul Beaumont then scored a controversial goal off the underside of the bar after 25 minutes, deemed to have bounced over the line to the dismay of the home side.

Piers Capper cleared one off the line as Greenside tried to get into it, and skipper Darren Knott almost made the game safe after being put clean through, but his effort hit the post.

Soon after the break Berry unselfishly played in Beaumont for 3-0, and with Erol Yilmaz having a good game in the centre of midfield the Ruts never looked in trouble.

Ten minutes from time Ben Barber made it 4-0 when he turned his man and finished well. Five minutes later Barber turned provider, snapping up the rebound after his shot was saved and pulling it back for Knott to put the icing on the cake and set up a home quarter-final against Tadworth Athletic or Croygas Reserves.

The Old Ruts eased into the next round of the Ellis Printers Shield with a comfortable win over a side one division below them.

Tom Goodwin scored in the first-half as the Ruts assumed control, and they were well worth their 1-0 half-time lead.

Soon after the break a long throw from Matt Crowley was volleyed in by skipper Darren Knott, and the tie looked settled on the hour when centre-half Piers Capper glanced home a free-kick for 3-0. But the Ruts proceeded to waste chances, and helped by some poor defending Croygas pulled it back to 3-2 by the 80th minute.

Ruts' 'keeper Roland Heal then made an excellent save to prevent the equaliser, tipping a shot onto the post, and that was the turning point as Knott rounded the 'keeper to make it 4-2 late on and earn the Ruts a quarter-final tie at home to Cheam Village Warriors Reserves.

A good performance saw the Old Ruts claim an excellent point at second placed Chipstead and stretch their unbeaten run to five matches.

They showed good character when they went behind after 20 minutes by bouncing back and equalising immediately. Ben Barber squared the ball to Erol Yilmaz after his initial shot was blocked and the midfielder slotted home his first of the season.

The game was evenly balanced thereafter, although Matt Crowley had to make a couple of last-ditch tackles to keep the scores level.

And it was the Ruts who went ahead on 70 minutes when Barber fed Graham Winter and he hit a powerful shot that the 'keeper got a hand to but couldn't keep out.

With James Rogers impressing on his return to the team at centre-back it looked as if the visitors might hold on to their lead, but despite Chipstead's equaliser 10 minutes from time, Ruts' skipper Darren Knott was upbeat: "We deserved our point today, I'm pleased."

An under-par performance means the Old Ruts must travel to Croygas - who are bottom of the division below the Ruts - for a replay after this entertaining League Cup quarter-final.

The Ruts started brightly and dominated the first half, despite conceding the opening goal of the game on 20 minutes. Parity was restored within a minute when Erol Yilmaz's superb through-ball was finished well by Darren Knott, and the home side went on to miss chances galore as they went in at the break frustrated not to be winning.

Striker Pete Kamara notched his fourth in three games to put the Ruts 2-1 up on 55 minutes, but Croygas got into the match more as they pressed for an equaliser. Keeper Pete Day pushed a shot onto the bar as Croygas pressed, but the goal finally came on 70 minutes to send the tie into extra-time.

Midway through the first period a speculative cross-cum-shot from right-back Matt Crowley sailed in for 3-2, but the Ruts couldn't hold on and Croygas deservedly secured a replay when they scored with just three minutes of extra-time remaining.

A solid second half performance from the Old Ruts saw off the spirited challenge of St Andrews and secured a place in the Ellis Printers Shield Final in March.

Skipper Darren Knott and Piers Capper were the heroes with two goals apiece as the Ruts' superiority finally told in blustery conditions that were not conducive to good football.

The Ruts were lucky to be kicking with a gale at their backs in the first half and laid seige to their opponents goal, getting their reward within three minutes as Capper headed in Knott's corner at the far post.

But with their only meaningful effort of the half, St Andrews - who lead the division below the Ruts - equalised when a corner was only half-cleared. A cup upset then looked on the cards as Matt Crowley, who otherwise excelled at right-back, inexplicably sliced a cross into his own net with no-one around him to gift the underdogs a 2-1 lead.

Knott equalised for the Ruts with a good shot on the half-hour, and Capper put them 3-2 up just before the break when he reacted quickest after Graham Winter's header hit the bar.

The gale died down in the second half, denying St Andrews the same advantage their opponents had, and the Ruts proceeded to dominate the rest of the match. Steve Nicola hit the bar after Tom Goodwin's effort was blocked, before good work down the right from Nicola allowed Goodwin to slip the ball to Knott and seal the match 4-2 late on.

The Ruts now face NPL Reserves or Battersea Ironsides Reserves in the final.

The Old Rutlishians swept aside the challenge of Croygas at the second attempt as they won this League Cup quarter-final replay at a canter.

Having let their opponents off the hook with a late equaliser in the first game, the Ruts were in an unforgiving mood and took their opponents apart after Croygas had a man sent-off for foul and abusive language in the first-half.

Croygas, who are one division below the Ruts, were pretty much sunk by half-time as Pete Kamara, Piers Capper and Tom Goodwin made it 3-0.

After the break Capper added another, before right-back Matt Crowley struck a wonderful 'van Basten' volley into the far corner from the edge of the box. Kamara then headed in number six, and skipper Darren Knott wrapped it up late on to set up a semi-final against Battersea.

The Old Ruts Reserves were in the spotlight because the first team's match was postponed, but they failed to shine as Croydon staged a late smash-and-grab to inflict the Ruts' first defeat in 11 games.

The blustery conditions made good football difficult and there weren't many chances in a lacklustre game. Ruts' striker Tom Goodwin went close a couple of times, while at the other end 'keeper Roland Heal made a smart block with his legs to ensure a goalless first half.

The breakthrough came on 55 minutes when Rob GoldVictor was clattered in the area as he chased a flick-on from Pete Kamara, and Darren Knott calmly slotted home the penalty.

It was no more than the Ruts deserved as they generally controlled the game, but a moment of madness with fifteen minutes left cost them dear. Matt Crowley attempted a back-pass to Heal, who was not expecting it and the 'keeper was forced to palm it away and prevent an own goal. The Croydon striker did well to lift the resulting free-kick into the roof of the net from ten yards, despite every Ruts player being on the goal-line.

Within five minutes the Ruts fell 2-1 behind after they could not clear a corner properly and it was lashed in from close range. The home side poured forward in the last 10 minutes to try and salvage an unbeaten run stretching back to November, but Goodwin blazed their best chance high and wide late on and Croydon held on for the three points.

The Old Ruts failed to score for the first time since November as a lacklustre performance saw them knocked out of the League Cup at the semi-final stage.

Having been thrashed 10-1 by Battersea on the opening day of the season, the Ruts were determined a repeat scenario would not occur and they battled well during the opening period. Despite going a goal down early on, they were well in the match and could have been on level terms at the interval if Tom Goodwin and Darren Knott had been a bit luckier with a couple of opportunities that fell their way.

After the break Battersea stepped up a gear and started to dominate possession, forcing their opponents back. The pivotal moment of the match came on the hour, though, when Goodwin's shot was parried and Pete Kamara struck the rebound too near the 'keeper from close range.

Battersea immediately went up the other end and forced a corner, from which their striker headed in the killer second.

Substitute Ben Barber volleyed over as the Ruts tried to respond, but Battersea looked the likelier to score and 'keeper Roland Heal made two good saves to keep his side in the cup.

The third goal was inevitable and arrived in the closing stages to end the Ruts' cup dream, although they still have the Ellis Printers Shield final to look forward to next month.

The Old Rutlishians failed to win for the third game in a row as second-from-bottom Cheam took a point off them, and with a little more luck might have nicked all three.

The visitors went ahead in the first half and could have added a second when they had one harshly disallowed. Rob GoldVictor had the Ruts' best chance when his shot brought a terrific save from the 'keeper, but it remained 1-0 at the break.

Ruts' 'keeper Roland Heal was the star of the second period as he pulled off four good saves to keep his side in it. It looked like the Ruts' luck was out when Erol Yilmaz blasted over from close range, but Danny Poulter seized onto GoldVictor's cross and equalised with a smart shot.

Player-manager Darren Knott acknowledged his side were not at their best: "We were a bit lucky to get a draw," he admitted.

A controversial refereeing decision cost the Old Ruts dear as they lost for the third time in four matches.

During a first half goalmouth scramble, the Ruts looked to have scored when the ball appeared well over the line before the 'keeper hooked it back, but the ref didn't have a clear view through the ruck of players and couldn't give the goal.

The home side proceeded to dominate the opening period - largely due to the strong wind at their backs - but couldn't score. Erol Yilmaz, Tom Goodwin and a Scott Hawley free-kick all went close, but South Park's 'keeper played well and they turned around at 0-0.

South Park duly bossed the second half thanks to the wind, and managed to get the winner in the 75th minute.

The Ruts have only scored twice in the last four games and must get the goals flowing again with their Ellis Printers Shield cup final just around the corner.

The Old Ruts prepared for their forthcoming cup final appearance in the best possible way with an excellent Victory at Battersea Ironsides, which lifts them to 4th in the table.

It was Battersea who started the brightest, though, and they took the lead on 30 minutes when the Ruts defence failed to clear a long throw into the box and the ball was swept past 'keeper Roland Heal.

The Ruts improved after the break, and on 50 minutes a good cross from skipper Darren Knott found Paul Beaumont unmarked at the back post to head the equaliser. 15 minutes later the same combination put the Ruts ahead as Beaumont nodded home Knott's corner.

Erol Yilmaz then brought a fine save from the Battersea 'keeper, and even though Battersea surged forward looking for an equaliser in the closing stages, the Ruts defence held firm to take the three points.

A hat-trick from Pete Kamara helped the Old Ruts win the Ellis Printers Intermediate Shield after a see-saw match against underdogs NPL.

Despite playing in the division below the Ruts, NPL started much the better team and took a shock lead on five minutes with a far-post header. The Ruts struggled to find their form early on as NPL almost scored again, hitting the bar with a good shot midway through the half.

But the favourites soon got into the match and the lively Ben Barber headed just wide from Darren Knott's corner. Matt Crowley was then denied by a last-ditch tackle six yards out, and Kamara shot straight at the 'keeper when well placed.

On the stroke of half-time, 'keeper Roland Heal made a wonderful save to keep the Ruts in the game, palming the ball away from a close-range header when a goal looked inevitable.

That save was a turning point, as within ten minutes of the restart the Ruts were level. Kamara chased a ball down the inside left channel, outpaced his marker and drilled a low shot into the net from an acute angle.

The Ruts were on top at this stage and Knott was unlucky not to score when he hit the bar with a rasping drive. And on the hour mark they took the lead with the goal of the game from Kamara, who rifled a tremendous 20 yarder into the top corner.

A rush of blood from the otherwise excellent Crowley handed NPL a great chance to equalise five minutes later when he inexplicably handled in the area, but the penalty was blasted a good two feet over the bar. However, the Ruts did not make the most of their good fortune and from a corner just a few moments later they allowed another free far-post header which gave Heal no chance and made it 2-2.

The Ruts responded well though, and with fifteen minutes left Graham Winter's clever pass found Erol Yilmaz in acres of space and he calmly placed his shot into the corner for 3-2.

But NPL never gave up and forced the game into extra time with an 85th minute equaliser after some sloppy defending.

Tired limbs meant there were very few chances in extra time, but Kamara managed to score in the first period when he seized onto a poor backpass and lobbed the 'keeper for his hat-trick.

After that the Ruts defended solidly as NPL ran out of energy and ideas. Heal was called upon just once in the closing stages when he had to make a brave save at his near post, and the Ruts held on to lift the trophy.

The Reserves' season ended on a low note as they lost to league champions Nuwood, a result which nevertheless gives them a creditable 4th place finish.

After being battered 6-1 at Nuwood in November, the Ruts were determined to do much better this time round and were it not for some bad luck in front of goal they might have got something from the game.

Indeed, the home side started well and missed a few good chances before Nuwood took the lead. Roland Heal made a good one-handed save, but the rebound was pounced upon and slotted home for 1-0.

Both sides hit the post as chances came and went, but there was no further score in the first half.

The game continued to be evenly matched after the interval and Heal had to be at his best to keep the Ruts in it, tipping a good shot onto the post.

At the other end the ball would just not go in as Nuwood cleared off the line on more than one occasion.

In the last ten minutes the Ruts' concentration faltered and Nuwood added two late goals to give the scoreline a rather flattering look.

But the Reserves can be proud of their season on the whole, overcoming a poor start to finish 4th in the league following promotion last season, and of course picking up the Ellis Printers Shield along the way - the only piece of silverware the club won this year.