The OHAFC 1st XI fought valiantly at League champions Tonbridge on Saturday but came away having seen their four-game unbeaten run ended courtesy of a 2-0 defeat. Things could have been very different but at 1-0 down skipper Ed Poulter saw his penalty saved and moments later a free-kick tipped onto the post and roll agonisingly along the goal line before being cleared.

A squad of twelve made the long trip down to Tonbridge on Saturday morning, aiming to extend the OHAFC 1st XI’s unbeaten run to an impressive five games against the reigning League champions. Among the deadly dozen was Ade Omisore, bidding to make his 1st XI debut, but otherwise it was an experienced side with plenty of pace going forwards from the likes of Duah, Gilbert and Owen-Edmunds.

For the third game in succession, the Blues were playing on an artificial surface, with the astroturf pitch at Wrotham School one of the largest on the Arthurian League circuit, allowing players slightly more time on the ball than usual. The match started at a fast pace with Tonbridge perhaps settling quicker and catching Harrow on the break on several occasions. This being said, the visitors kept the ball well and launched some early attacks down the right hand side that disappointingly fizzled out.

Harrow kept giving the ball away in key areas however, often gifting the opposition breakaway chances in doing so. The hosts took the lead from one such error after a crossfield pass from skipper Ed Poulter failed to reach Breeden at right back and Tonbridge broke quickly upfield. The Tonbridge winger took on Yunus Sert and then fired low and hard on goal, beating Yunus' younger brother Emre at his near post.

Harrow responded well and came within a whisker of equalising after a brilliant passage of play that saw Gilbert feed Poulter, who in turn lifted the ball over the Tonbridge centre-back for Doug Morrison to run onto. The hosts’ ‘keeper raced off his line and did just enough to put Morrison off, his effort agonisingly running just wide. But at the other end Harrow continued to ride their luck with several wayward passes gifting opportunities to the Tonbridge forwards. The visitors were indebted to Emre Sert for keeping them in the game with some fine goalkeeping.

The turning point of the afternoon arrived in the 25th minute when Harrow were awarded a penalty after a great cross from Cyprian Owen-Edmunds found its way through to Nick Scarborough and he was tugged back attempting to turn. Disappointingly, there were few takers for the responsibility of converting from the spot so it was left to skipper Poulter himself to step up to try to drag Harrow back into the game. The Tonbridge ‘keeper guessed the right way and although the captain’s shot was heading for the bottom right corner, there was insufficient venom in the strike and the ball was parried round the post.

Moments later Harrow were then awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after a foul on Alex Gilbert and Poulter, keen to make amends for his earlier penalty miss, curled the ball around the wall and towards the top corner. Gilbert and Poulter embarrassingly both celebrated a little too early, as the Tonbridge ‘keeper somehow flew to his left and turned the ball onto the post, only for it to roll agonisingly along the goal line before being cleared out for a corner.

Harrow’s bad luck continued with Doug Morrison suffering a painful knee injury that meant he could no longer continue, Omisore coming on to make his 1st XI debut.

The second half was much the same as the first with Harrow having most of the possession and territory but the Tonbridgians counter-attacking well. Harrow continued to press and create chances with Ade Osimore, Jesse Duah and Poulter all forcing saves or coming close. Sadly, as the visitors changed to three at the back and pushed more men forwards in a bid to force an equaliser, a long goal kick was flicked on by the Tonbridge striker allowing the opposition another one on one and the attacking player calmly finished between Sert’s legs to seal the points.

Harrow fought valiantly to the end but could not find a way past the Tonbridge back four. Nevertheless, credit must go to the side for the way they stuck at their task throughout the ninety minutes. The team look fit and are playing with some confidence given the poor start to the season. All the top sides, with the exception of Foresters, have now been played and in nearly all the games the Blues have been competitive.

Full-backs Alex Breeden and Hamish MacIntyre both enjoyed excellent games as did ‘keeper Emre Sert, who was outstanding in goal.

The side must now pick themselves up for the crunch game at home to the struggling Old Salopians in a fortnight.

*Thanks to skipper Ed Poulter for this match report