Shambolic preparations cost the 1st XI once more

Old Harrovians 1st XI
1 : 2
Old Bradfieldians 1st XI
  • November 18th 2017, Philathletic Ground, 11:30am
  • Division 1
  • Referee: Ari Mendonca
  • Weather: Drizzle
  • Pitch: Excellent
No. Starting XI Goals Yellow & Red Cards Subs On/Off
1 Fraser McGuinness
2 Ciaran Jordan
3 Ed Poulter
4 Yunus Sert (c)
5 Jonny Lalude 64'
6 Hugo Trower
7 Fred Richardson
8 Jack Hill
9 Alex Breeden
10 James Breeden 29'
11 Pablo Hutchinson 30'

For the second time this season, and against the same opponents – Bradfield, some disastrous preparations cost the OHAFC 1st XI dearly as they were forced to play the majority of the game with just ten men and ended up losing 2-1 to the League leaders on Harrow Hill. Despite taking the lead through yet another James Breeden goal, the Blues’ conceded twice in quick succession in the second half and, with an injury subsequently reducing the team to just nine players, the hosts were unable to force an equaliser. The defeat drops the side to fourth in the table with the visit of unbeaten Berkhamsted to come next weekend.

If the away trip to Bradfield had been considered the low point of the 1s’ season to date – a missed email explaining the fixture would not be played at the College but instead on an astroturf pitch in London led to the squad travelling for an hour down the M4, only to arrive at some deserted sports pitches (unsurprisingly the team lost the 70 mins that were later played in London following the hour-long journey back into town) – Saturday’s preparations set a depressing new low. From the squad of twelve named for the game, two players failed to turn up – Josh Adejokun mistakenly thought the kick-off was 1pm and Ade Omisore had train problems getting to London – whilst a third, Jack Hill, was almost knocked unconscious in the warm-up following a clash of heads with the returning Jonny Lalude.

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Even given these set of circumstances, a solution appeared to have been found with Pablo Hutchinson being drafted in from the 2s, who were playing Forest on the next door pitch. The youngster had made a huge effort to play, only finishing work at 5am that morning and having to return to the office at 12pm – meaning he could only play for the first half-hour. At that stage, Adejokun and Omisore were still expected to arrive and so it was assumed both the 1s and 2s would be able to play their games with a full complement of players, albeit with something of a handicap – Jack Hill clearly struggling for the 1s and Gbeminiyi Soyinka only able to play a half for the 2s. The plan didn’t come close to working out however.

Bradfield are a strong side this season and had a 100% record prior to Saturday’s game. In a competitive first half, the sides traded blows until Harrow’s leading scorer added yet another to his tally, James Breeden somehow finding the far corner of the net with a scuffed shot that took his total for the season to 15 goals in just eight 1st XI appearances. The goal sparked scenes of jubilation , understandably, but these were short-lived when it became apparent that Pablo Hutchinson’s half-hour of action were also up and, with no sign of either Adejokun or Omisore, the hosts were forced to play the remainder of the half with ten men. Jonny Lalude then suffered a recurrence of the groin strain that has limited his playing time this season and, with an hour on the clock, he was finally unable to continue, meaning that in their biggest game of the season to date, the 1s would be forced to play the final half-hour with just nine men.

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By this stage they were also chasing a losing cause, the visitors having struck twice in a short spell early in the half. The Harrow team battled manfully and matched their opponents in the closing stages but, with a lead to protect, the visitors used their numerical advantage well, keeping the ball and frustrating the hosts.

The final whistle sparked scenes of anger and frustration with the manner of the defeat and an appreciation of the significance of the result, but the side must regroup with a lengthy run of home games ahead over the weeks either side of Christmas. If the team harbour serious ambitions of returning to the Premier Division at the first time of asking, the events of Saturday cannot be repeated again.