With just 11 Surrey South Eastern Fixtures surviving the elements and Covid today, it was statistically somewhat surprising for us to feature in 5 of them, although ultimately very pleasing for us to notch up 3 ‘W’s’ on the OR’s Results Board.

The 1st XI eventually overcame a bright Most Wanted Elite FC to win 4 – 3.

The Ruts went ahead in the 4th minute when debutant Bryan ‘Jock’ Nicholson placed an exquisite through ball to Toby Lempriere, who neatly tucked the ball passed the advancing keeper. The visitors levelled in the 17th minute, before the OR’s restored their lead, when a neat left wing move involving Will Mortimer and Kevin Foster lead to Lempriere converting deftly for his brace, which ultimately lead to him also securing the home MOTM award.

Yet again, the Ruts were unable to retain their lead as an MWE hit a rasping shot past Keeper Evan Watson, to make it 2 – 2 at the break.

Kevin Foster hit a 25 yard screamer to restore the Ruts lead in the 57th minute, only for MWE to level for the 3rd time.

The Ruts match winning Goal (featured, with thanks to Becky or Kelly?) came courtesy of the lively Charlie Woods, and it was certainly worthy of winning any match, as Woods collected the ball after an interchange in the final third and set himself up at 30 yards out and unleashed an unstopable strike past the opposition keeper.

Joint Manager Jon Mapp was pleased with the result, although less so with the overall display, as he reported ‘This was a below par team performance, as we took the lead on 4 occasions, before finally holding on for the 3 points, which sees us top of the table at Christmas’, Mapp went on to cheerily wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year’.

The 2nd XI only managed to secure 1 point from 6 in their Double Header against Motspur Park Res FC at Poplar Road. Manager Jay Ramsey felt his team should have gained something from the first match, although the lads lost 2 -1. Mark Todd scored the goal and Ollie Thompson was MOTM. In the second game OR’s secured a point in a 1 – 1 draw with Thompson scoring for the OR’s and Adam Randall earning the MOTM award.

The Super 3rd XI finally secured their first win of the Season as they beat OW Shaftesbury Res FC. Joint Manager Christian Cittie was delighted to report as follows.

‘What a solid performance from the 3rd XI today. Everyone dug deep and battled for the full 90 minutes. We made a strong start to the game winning our battles all over the pitch. After 40 mins we broke the deadlock after a ball over the top from Cittie, went to Fraser Trimmings who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner. In the Second half we largely had our backs against the wall. However, we caught them on the break and won a penalty which we ultimately missed on a re-take..We then dug even deeper and held onto the massive 3 points and a clean sheet. Fraser Trimmings wins my MOTM, with big shout outs to Keeper Mike Lowe for making 3 1 on 1 saves and Russell Palmer at the back for his calmness and communication in controlling the back line’

The 4th XI gained a decent 4 – 1 win over London Olympia FC, with an impressive hatrick from Wagna Tchuda and a strike from Simon Minihane. Club Leg-ends Bernie Winter and Jamie Shawki both reported that Keeper Craig Lyle was to thank for keeping the OR’s ahead, as they lead just 2 – 1 late in the match, shortly before the final 2 goals were fired home.

Best wishes to the Ruts Youth teams tomorrow.