By Steve Nicola

Old Rutlishians couldn't complete the final leg of their treble challenge as they failed to add the Surrey Junior Cup to their SCILW League and Cup double.

Starting as slight underdogs against a Westminster Casuals side who'd romped to the KDFL Division One title and beaten some top sides en route to the final, the Ruts appeared nervous and played well below their best for the opening 45 minutes as Westminster dominated.

Only an excellent goalkeeping display from Ruts keeper James Howarth kept the score 0-0 at the break and he was called into action after only 10 minutes, plunging low to his right to parry a drive.

Poor finishing from Westminster didn't help as they sought to capitalise on their superiority and they missed a couple of presentable opportunities. It looked as though they might pay on 25 minutes when Ruts forward Paul Hull struck a free kick towards the bottom corner but the keeper did well to turn it aside.

The Ruts couldn't get any decent passing going and their strikers were starved of possession. Westminster were by no means playing wonderful football either but they still mounted some good attacks and it looked as though one would pay off just before halftime when a right wing cross found the head of an unmarked Westminster forward eight yards out. A goal seemed inevitable but Howarth produced a truly outstanding reflex save and then got up quickly to push the follow up shot over the bar.

The Ruts improved greatly after the interval and seemed to gain the upper hand, going close to breaking the deadlock when Adam Clark's swirling corner struck the crossbar.

Influential midfielder Jeremy Capper had to go off injured on the hour mark though and as the Ruts tired Westminster began to force the pace once more. Their striker shot just past the far post on 65 minutes before finally breaking the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining when he shot through Howarth's legs.

The Ruts were stung into action and almost replied immediately when Richard Hayward's header went narrowly wide. Then the lively Hull - the only player who looked like he might trouble Westminster all night - hit a stinging left foot volley which the keeper pushed up into the air and then caught.

However the game was killed off shortly after when Westminster's impressive number 12 got down the right and teed up his teammate for a sweet finish past Howarth. And on 85 minutes the number 12 made it 3-0 placing a neat shot wide of Howarth and underlining Westminster's supremacy.

Kevin Foster did have a chance to notch a consolation in injury time but his 12 yard volley flew over.

The outcome was never really in doubt once Westminster had opened the scoring and the better team certainly won. And although the Ruts can take pride in reaching the final and having a tremendous season they will nevertheless wonder what might have been had they performed to their capabilities on the night.