The 1st XI played out two very competitive games at Poplar Road earlier, as they hosted Ashtead FC in a Double Header. As we all know earning 6 points from a double header is a tough order for all teams and today’s exchanges endorsed this fact further as both teams achieved 3 points apiece.

The Ruts lost the first game 1 – 0, although there were justly aggrieved at being denied a perfectly good last minute equaliser when Whitto powerfully headed home from a Corner, alas the Ref spotted an infringement elsewhere in the box and the Ruts were left to rue their unjust misfortune. Our in-house VAR backs up our thoughts, although, as we all make mistakes we had to take it on the chin and bounce back in game 2, which we duly did. Elliott Gibbs was the OR’s MOTM, as his display in both games was incredibly solid, as per usual.

In the second game the Ruts bounced into a 2 goal first half lead. Firstly through a deft team move, which had an initial hint of offside about it, this move saw an alert Jude Kinsella continuing to play the game despite loud appeals and he neatly crossed for Fabio Bagulho to fire home.

Centre half Elliott Gibbs then scored a delightfully crafted long range goal as he spotted the opportunity well with the keeper superbly evaded. Ashtead then reduced the arrears shortly before the interval to make it ‘all to play for’ in the final period.

Pleasingly the Ruts performance continued to improve as the afternoon wore on and Billy Liffen wrapped up the 3 points when he fired home after another decent team move (Video to follow). Despite securing this decent cushion Ashtead continued to be a real threat from set pieces especially, and as the game drew towards its conclusion the OR’s had keeper Evan Watson to thank for pulling off 2 outstanding saves to keep the Ruts 3 points firmly in locker. Fabio Bagulho was the Ruts MOTM in this match.

The 2nd XI also secured 3 points from 6 at Tooting Bec ‘B’ FC in a Double Header. The OR’s won 1 game 3 – 2 thanks to goals from Sam Leatherby, Thomas Boylan and utter club legend Lee ‘Trigger’ Poulter, with Boylan securing the MOTM. In the defeat Boylan and Leatherby struck again, with Jamie DeCruz the MOTM.

The 3rd XI suffered a 6 -1 reverse against North Leatherhead FC. The Ruts consolation was scored by Jeff Oppong-Baah, with Liam Washford-Bent earning the Ruts MOTM award.

The ‘Veteranesque’ 4th XI played out a 2 -2 draw with London Olympia FC, with the OR’s goals coming from long term stalwarts and Leg-ends Erol Yilmaz and Graham ‘Bernie’ Winter, with the latter also notching the MOTM award for his effervescent display.

Best Wishes to the Ruts Junior teams tomorrow.