The OHAFC 2nd XI finished off their successful 2017/18 season with a disappointing 3-1 defeat away to the Old Foresters 2s in a soggy Fairlop Oak.

With nothing riding on the outcome of the final game before their summer break - both sides safely ensconced in mid-table - the motivations were somewhat spurious. For Forest, revenge was on the cards following a 5-1 drubbing on Harrow Hill back in November; for Harrow, the small prize of climbing above KCS Wimbledon 2s to finish the campaign in seventh place.

Fortunately, for the few spectators in attendance, both sides competed as if they were playing the first game of the season and not the last. So much so, that referee David Goss was forced to intervene on numerous occasions, particularly in the second half, in order to keep a lid on proceedings.

The first half opened scrappily despite the notoriously uneven Fairlop Oak pitches appearing in better condition than usual, with a generous covering of grass and soft ground under foot.

The visitors began to put together some decent passages of play midway through the half but struggled to test the Forest 'keeper. Massey, as he was keen to point out on numerous occasions, managed one shot on target (although it never had a chance of going in) but otherwise Harrovian efforts flew high and wide. Brunt and Payne in the midfield looked the most likely sources of inspiration, with Soyinka replacing Okoigun up top.

Forest worked their way back into the game in the quarter of an hour before half-time but they too struggled to carve out clear openings with Harrow 'keeper Emre Sert relatively untroubled.

Ironically, despite the quality of football in the second half tailing off, the drama increased dramatically.

The visitors took the lead ten minutes after the break with an excellent move, Hovey playing the ball square to Woolley midway inside the Harrow half and he in turn fed Taunton-Collins on the right wing. The skipper, whose quality of delivery has improved markedly this season, produced an excellent ball to the back post that allowed substitute Soyinka to bundle over the line at the second attempt, despite the attempts of two defenders to block. The goal took Bem's tally for the season to six goals in nine substitute appearances - remarkably ensuring that he once again tops the scoring charts despite not having started a single fixture due to his troublesome knee.

The goal sparked Forest into life and they responded strongly, determined not to allow a promoted side to earn a League double over them. Minutes after falling behind they had struck the Harrow woodwork with a thumping near-post volley following a long throw, Sert well-beaten.

And set-pieces, for so long earlier in the season the bete-noire of the OHAFC 2s, returned to haunt the team once again, with Forest taking full advantage.

A seemingly innocuous free-kick close to the halfway line was pumped forwards and volleyed in at the far post, Harrow's marking leaving much to be desired.

Following a spate of free-kicks that saw players on both sides warned and, on one occasion, cautioned, Forest scored their second from another free-kick, again Harrow failing to mark at the far post and a looping header sailed back across goal to land perfectly inside the far post.

Harrow heads fell and, despite making numerous changes in personnel and formation, the visitors' goal threat remained almost negligible.

Instead, Forest added to their tally with a well-worked goal. Sloppy play inside the Harrow half saw possession ceded and Forest broke down their left. The ball was crossed to the far post and scuffed back across goal rather fortuitously allowing a simple header in from close range.

So a disappointing end to the season for the Blues, who close their League campaign with two defeats and eight goals conceded - a return to the dark days prior to Christmas when sloppy defending cost the team dearly.

The fact the 2s lost seven of their first eight games and they still managed to avoid relegation with games to spare is great testament to the commitment and determination shown by the squad and credit must go to skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins for keeping spirits hight and maintaining the belief that all was not lost. Finising eighth in Division Two and reaching the semi-finals of the Junior League Cup is an excellent return following last season's promotion from Division Three.

A full review of the 2nd XI season will appear on ohafc.com shortly. Congratulations to the whole squad for their efforts.