2s blown away by superior Alleynians

Old Harrovians 2nd XI
0 : 6
Old Alleynians 1st XI
  • September 9th 2017, Harrow School 4G Astro, 12pm
  • Division 2
  • Referee: Luke Steele
  • Weather: Sunny, calm
  • Pitch: Astroturf
No. Starting XI Goals Yellow & Red Cards Subs On/Off
1 Fraser McGuinness
2 Geoff Taunton-Collins (c)
3 Harry Woolley
4 Simon Maydon
5 Phil Berry
6 Josh Adejokun
7 Tom Beeley 30'
8 Archie Maxwell
9 Jack Alhadeff
10 David Lederman
11 Harry Hoffen 35'
Substitutes
12 Conti von Hirsch 30'
13 Will Payne 35'

The OHAFC 2nd XI were given a rude awakening on Saturday on their return to Division Two football as the Old Alleynians, the team who had narrowly pipped the Blues to the Division Three title last season, dished out a comprehensive 6-0 thrashing on the pristine new astroturf surface on Harrow Hill.

Despite Geoff Taunton-Collins' men enjoying a productive pre-season, the game was as good as over after just half an hour, with the visitors already four goals to the good and looking set for plenty more. It was to Harrow's credit that a shift to a more defensive shape restricted their vastly superior opponents to just two further goals in the last hour, although were in not thanks to some vital interventions from 'keeper Fraser McGuinness, the scoreline could have been even less palatable.

In truth, there was little the hosts could have done. Prior to kick-off a closely-fought encounter was expected with the two teams ending last season level on points and separated by just a single goal - Harrow's failure to beat Citizens by three goals on the final day of the season sealing their fate as runners-up in Division Three. The sides could also not be separated in their head-to-head meetings, both teams winning 2-1 at home (although Alleynians' win back in October owed much to a couple of handling errors from young goalkeeper Michael Nugent).

Saturday provided ample evidence that Alleynians have improved considerably with their passing and movement as good as anything seen in recent seasons on the Hill.

The visitors quickly settled into a rhythm, passing the ball confidently across the back four and ensuring the Harrow forwards were soon shuttling back and forth to try and close down space. The pressing tactics that had worked so well last season now seemed more of a hindrance as gaps began to appear with alarming regularity and several times the Harrow back four were sliced open allowing simple finishes.

The hosts didn't help themselves on a couple of occasions with some loose touches on the new astroturf seeing possession lost in dangerous areas and Simon Maydon giving away a penalty as another goal looked almost certain.

McGuinness made some brave blocks at the feet of strikers and at the other end there was little to get excited about: Harry Hoffen's competitive debut as a 2s player was a damp squib, the striker hobbling off shortly after the half-hour mark with a sore back having had little impact on proceedings.

Keen to avoid total embarrassment, Harrow began to sit back more and ensure men were behind the ball at all times. The tactic ensured a more even second half, with Alleynians finding it harder to break through, but in truth they were still far too assured in possession and too patient to allow the balance of play to change much.

They scored two fine goals following flowing passing moves that tore a bewildered Harrow team apart, the first saw a simple tap-in from close range, the second a delightful chip over McGuinness as he yet again flew off his line to intercept.

Harrow threatened sporadically with the three young debutants Josh Adejokun, Archie Maxwell and Will Payne usually at the heart of their best moments. In truth, the hosts lacked a final ball of precision and were forced to rely on long-range efforts for a sight of goal.

A somewhat surprising defeat to begin the season with but there was no disgrace in losing to such an accomplished side - if Alleynians consistently perform as they did on Saturday they will win far more games than they lose this season.

For Harrow, the need to improve fitness in the two weeks before the next League game away to KCS Wimbledon 2s was clear. Nevertheless, it is early days and much football remains to be played: the OHAFC 2s have been given a very clear benchmark of the standards to aim at in the coming months.