Despite a decent performance, the OHAFC 3rd XI fell to their fourth defeat in five League games, losing 3-2 to the Old Westminsters 2s on the astroturf in Rotherhithe on Saturday morning. Defeat leaves the Blues in sixth in Division Four, but now nervously looking over their shoulders at the three sides below them, two of whom are within a point at the mid-point of the season.

The Blues, featuring debutant David Liu at the back, actually started well on the wide but slightly scruffy 3G astoturf pitch at the Bacon Community College Sports Centre, scene of numerous Westminsters v OHAFC battles over the years at every level of the Arthurian League. Skipper Joss Awdry and fellow centre midfielder Khlail Baoku had the upper hand in midfield but the visitors struggled to create many clearcut opportunities.

The hosts took control, admittedly against the run of play, with two goals in quick succession just before the half-hour mark. A breakaway that ran the length of the pitch earned the men in pink the lead, soon afterwards it was 2-0 when a long ball pumped forwards caused confusion in the Harrow rearguard, stand-in keeper Charlie Lupton and his defenders were on different wavelengths and the upshot was a simple finish for the Westminsters forward.

Some much needed reinforcements arrived in the shape of Luke Berry and Alex Kenderdine-Davies and the Blues regrouped and got themselves back in the game with a veritable bolt from the blue, striker Adam Graham lashing in a 30-yard shot just before the break to make the half-time team-talk a little easier.

Freddie Everett, available for only his second game since his four-goal opening day salvo against the Old Wellingtonians, was brought on for Alvin Adefarasin,who had enjoyed a solid first half in his return to action following his three-game suspension for the red card received against Brentwoods 3s.

The visitors started the half well enough but again chances proved hard to come by and play gradually became scrappy and centred in the middle of the pitch. But just as the hosts had suddenly plucked a goal from nowhere midway through the first half, so the OHAFC did likewise in the second courtesy of a superb raking pass from the skipper, Awdry collecting the ball just inside the opposition half and launching a 50 yard delivery to the far post allowing Everett to head in. The Guinness-based celebraions referenced Luke Berry’s birthday, but it was now far from black and white who was going to triumph in this game.

The visitors continued to create a few half-chances and looked dangerous at set-pieces, but it was the hosts who stole the win ten minutes from time, with a well-placed shot from just inside the box – the second consecutive week that the 3s have conceded a crucial late goal to their opponents.

Whilst spirits (and Guinness) remain high in the camp, the 3s form is now slightly concerning – just a solitary victory from their last seven games - and Saturday’s upcoming trip to southwest London to face bottom side the Old Kingstonians is now something of a must-win.