The OHAFC 2nd Xi were indebted to a gritty defensive display and a moment of magic from winger Miles Kellock to snatch a rather undeserved point at home to a decent Old Alleynians 3s side on the Hill on Saturday morning. The OHAFC, playing in their change strip of yellow shirts, were second best for much of the game, relying on a couple of superb saves from keeper Rory Craig and a goalline clearance from David Lederman to remain on level terms. Alleynians took the lead after an hour with a well-worked goal that seemed destined to earn them the win. But Kellock, who had seen little of the ball all game, then produced a jinking run from the left that carried him past three players into the box. The fourth defender upended him and Lederman duly converted from the spot to snatch a draw that left the home side by far the happier of the two teams come the final whistle.

It proved another frustrating outing for the OHAFC, with a solid, disciplined display without the ball negated by a sloppy, unimaginative display with it. Despite near-perfect playing conditions, with the main Phil pitch benefitting from a fresh mow, the home side were as poor with the ball as they have been all season – numerous passes were misplaced, play was constantly directed forwards down narrow channels with hardly a single switch of play all game and sloppy first touches that gifted possession to their opponents.

Problems began as early as the fourth minute when a fortunate ricochet saw the ball roll through between the two centre halves allowing a clear run on goal for the Alleynian striker. Keeper Rory Craig, who has been in superb form all season, stood strong to block the effort, ensuring the Blues remained on level terms at least for the time being. Indeed, that passage of play just about summed up the entire first half, with the Alleynians the better side, clearly, but also enjoying a fair bit of luck as countless deflections and challenges saw the ball run their way. Craig was forced into another excellent save, tipping the ball over the bar, Lederman then hoofed clear off the line as a header from a corner was destined for the back of the net.

Going forwards, Harrow’s play was distinctly stodgy. Owain James, making just his second appearance in Harrow colours, flashed moments of strength and speed up front, but too often the end product was lacking – a charge that could be levelled at most of his teammates all too easily. Balls were played forwards without enough care or thought, the home side very much looking a blunt instrument in attack.

It was with a certain degree of irony, therefore, that of the two sides to have the ball in the net before half-time, it was the OHAFC and not their slicker opponents. The one controversial moment of the game saw a sharp Harrow press force the ball to be played back to the Alleynians keeper. Jack Dolbey closed him down and the attempted clearance struck the midfielder solidly in the midriff before rebounding into the empty net. Harrow celebrated a moment of fortune, Alleynians appealed vociferously for handball. Referee Daniel Maragh initially appeared to give the goal, then appeared to want to ask Dolbey himself where the ball had struck before finally ending the suspense and awarding a free-kick for handball. Further enquiries at half-time suggested this was, ultimately, the correct decision.

Skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins made a change at the break, Kyri Pittalis coming on at left-back with younger brother Alexi pushing into midfield and Felix Orchard switching to centre-back. But the changes did little to sway the momentum of the game, with the Alleynians still looking the sharper side. The new centre-back pairing of Orchard and Grasso coped manfully with numerous Alleynian attacks, Craig continuing to judge the collection of through-balls expertly. Several corners were forced and defended.

But it was little surprise when the visitors did take the lead. Having dominated much of the ball, they once more earned a slice of luck as yet another challenge, this time from Felix Orchard on the left, seemed to have averted the danger, only for the ball to fall perfectly to another attacker. A low cross resulted from the left and with several Harrow defenders having been pulled across to cover, a simple finish awaited at the far post.

With the hosts having barely threatened an attack of note all game, it would have been easy for heads to drop and the game given up as lost. But within ten minutes the Blues had somehow pulled themselves level, the goal owing itself almost exclusively to the trickery of Miles Kellock. A swift counter saw the winger fed on the left with options inside him. Instead, Kellock embarked on a jinking run that carried him past one man, between two others and into the box. A shot looked on, but the winger touched the ball past the next defender who rather clumsily bundled into the attacker, the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Despite a rather pathetic attempt to delay the kick, an Alleynian loitering on the penaty spot, Lederman ushered him away before dispatching the kick with the minimum of fuss.

Perhaps understandably, this rather knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and the final quarter of an hour was probably the most even spell of the game, the OHAFC finally competing as equals. Neither side managed to fashion another chance, the final whistle bringing frustration for the Alleynians, a long sigh of relief for those in yellow.

The OHAFC have now taken four points from two games against the sides currently second and third in the table, but just three points from three games against those in seventh, ninth and tenth. It is almost impossible to predict what the outcome of their next fixture – away to fourth-placed Old Haberdashers – will be.