The OHAFC 2nd XI went to the well for one final time in 2016/17 on Saturday afternoon, travelling round the South Circular to Grove Park to face the Old Citizens in a season-defining clash.

The equation was relatively straightforward: the OHAFC had to win and hope that the Old Alleynians, whom have led Division Three for practically the whole season, slipped up away to bottom side Old Aldenhamians 2s. If Alleynians lost, a Harrow win would secure the title; an Alleynians draw and a Harrow win would see goal difference used to separate the teams.

Regardless of the situation, skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins and his final squadron of twelve for the season knew that any win at Citizens would be hard earned: the OHAFC 2s had never taken a point at the ground and fixtures in the previous two seasons had resulted in 8-3 and 6-1 wins for the hosts.

That the Blues' two leading scorers for the season were both missing for the final weekend merely added to the challenge ahead: Oluwagbeminiyi Soyinka was unable to shake off the thigh strain that has been bothering him for the past month and winger Jack Alhadeff, whose two goals had been decisive in seeing off Alleynians last week, joined his family for a relaxing trip to beautiful Finland - the Alhadeff's showing a worrying lack of regard for the amateur football calendar that is sure to be noted by the OHAFC hierarchy.

The City of London playing fields presented a spectacular final setting for the season's closing curtain with a pristine playing surface replete with circular mowing pattern, something more usually seen at the King Power Stadium. 'I've won an artistic award this week,' the groundsman cheerfully exclaimed on receiving copious praise from the travelling party.

Referee Rowland Bass was also in cheerful mood and had done his homework, fully aware of the tense situation the Blues found themselves in. Prior to kick-off the bearded wonder also proved that, despite his advancing years, he was in prime physical condition, completing a lap around the track encircling the pitch and finishing with a sprint finish any of the watching players would have been proud of. Thankfully for Mr Bass, the late arrival of a train heralded a delayed kick-off of fifteen minutes, allowing the official sufficient time to recover.

Taunton-Collins' options were limited in terms of the lineup, with lone substitute Jamie Barwick struggling with flu and looking about as enthusiastic about performing as a trained chimp in the Chinese State Circus. Still, he promised to make himself useful and take some photos, something the absent Jack Orr-Ewing had palpably failed to do at the Alleynians game seven days ago.

The visitors lined up in their usual 4-4-1-1 formation with noteable newcomers Mike Okoigun up front, making his first appearance of the season, left winger Tristan David making just his third and Paul Lindquist, on the right, also making his season debut for the club.

Citizens began the game with just ten men but, after a fairly humdrum opening quarter of an hour, were reduced to nine when one of their players suffered a muscle strain. A mixture of delight and panic spread through the Harrow ranks as they realised the opportunity that lay in front of them, whilst also slightly unaware how best to approach things. Something that manifested itself in the visitors' play for the first half an hour as too often balls were forced forwards more in hope than expectation. With Citizens dropping deep this threat was fairly comfortably nullified and it was only as the half wore that the Blues finally began to switch the play more patiently from left to right and back again in a bid to prise open a well-marshalled Citizens rearguard.

Both sides found chances hard to come by as a result with Citizens looking the more composed in possession initially but also finding their long balls forwards well cut out by Pratt and Woolley. It was the hosts who came closest to scoring early on though, with an opportunist lob from outside the box looping agonisingly slowly towards the Harrow goal, only for the ball to strike the top of the post and bounce to safety.

But it was Harrow who took the lead on the half hour from a set-piece routine, Lederman clipping the ball into the box and Max Curry seeing his excellent header unluckily rebound off the bar with the 'keeper well beaten. Fortunately, the Pratt at the back, to use Lord Flashheart's term, was on hand to acrobatically volley the ball back in - his first ever goal for the OHAFC.

There was little time to celebrate however, as within five minutes the hosts were level. The left winger was disappointingly allowed to wriggle free down the touchline and square the ball across the area where it was met first-time and sidefooted home past a static defence.

Citizens, despite having nine men and nothing to play for, were clearly in no mood to hand out freebies and played as though their season depended on it. A number of challenges from both sides saw tempers raised, as well as several early throw-ins that left referee Bass changing his mind under advisement from the players. Thankfully the importance of the game prevented anyone from trying to crack any fishy jokes along the lines of 'can't you see Bass?'

Half-time saw the hosts recover a player to bring them back up to ten but the pattern of the first-half remained, with Citizens resolutely refusing to buckle at the back, their cause greatly helped by two imports - a vocal American centre-back who thumped the ball fifty yards forwards at every opportunity and an excellent Scottish goalkeeper who looked secure all game, even if he possessed the slightly annoying tendency to smash his goal-kicks towards the Harrow box accompanied without fail by a cry of 'ohhh come oooonn,' as if he had somehow mishit them.

With a win the very minimum requirement for the visitors, the Blues upped their game, switching the play across the back with far greater confidence. Lindquist and the Curry brothers fought valiantly in midfield, Ollie Curry in particular threatening to unhinge the defence on several occasions but just failing with his final pass. Lederman then should have played in his older brother Max but he slightly over-hit his lobbed pass and the 'keeper was able to collect.

The longer the game wore on, the more likely it just a single goal would be required to win it. Both sides had chances - Pittalis threw himself to his right to tip a shot past his post, Tristan David and Mike Okoigun were both played through with just the 'keeper to beat but on both occasions the shots lacked sufficient venom and conviction, David's beating the 'keeper but cleared off the line, Okoigun's smothered at close range.

Unsurprisingly, it took another set-piece to provide the winner for Harrow with fifteen minutes remaining. Lederman took a quick throw to Taunton-Collins who took a touch to control and turn before delivering a peach of a cross into the near post where the late arriving Max Curry skilfully glanced the ball in. It was a delightful final goal of the season for the side to score.

Several half-chances came and went in the closing minutes, Massey deciding he would go out in style with a 30-yard blunderbuss that was comically bad, but Citizens, to their great credit, never threw in the towel and continued to press for an equaliser, even throwing extra men forwards in the last five. The Harrow defence had to be at their best to defend several late corners, with each hoof forwards greeted with a collective sigh of relief.

The final whistle drew a muted response from both teams with neither side able to really celebrate. Harrow had earned a win that, on paper, should have proved relatively straightforward against nine or ten men but it had been anything but. Nevertheless, it still gave the side a chance of being crowned champions and completed one of the best League campaigns an OHAFC 2nd XI had ever put together - eleven wins and a draw from fourteen League games, the best defensive record in the division, and the only side in the entire League to be unbeaten since mid-October.

Five players made the short trip to the Crown Pub for post-match tea and they were rewarded for their efforts with an eclectic yet inspired choice of truffled chips and deep fried calamari. Seasoned tea attendees this season will note that this is only rivalled by the outdoor mezze provided by Aldenhamians - this time, however, there was not a red pepper in sight.

The delight at the quality fayre provided was a faded memory when news came through a couple of hours later of the Alleynians result. They had, surprisingly, drawn 2-2 at Aldenham 2's meaning that the title was theirs on goal difference - plus 25 compared to Harrow's plus 24.

Despite the cruel outcome, the efforts of the entire Harrow squad this season cannot be understated: excellent commitment, team spirit and determination were allied to some excellent football, especially before the ridiculous seven-week break either side of Christmas. Promotion into Division Two for the first time since the 2009/10 season is just reward for the efforts of all involved, not least skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins, who has led the side with distinction in all aspects, and his two lieutenants, Kyri Pittalis and Max Curry.

A full review of the 2s season will appear on the site shortly, but for now it just remains to say congratulations to the whole OHAFC 2nd XI squad on a fine campaign - see you next season in Division Two!