The OHAFC 3rd XI piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of Saturday’s Division Four fixture at home to the Old Westminster 2s but couldn’t quite force the equaliser their second half performance deserved. The Blues had made the perfect start to the game, taking the lead inside five minutes when Alfie Hayes’s cross-shot from the right was fumbled inside the near post by the visitors’ keeper. But Westminsters hit back to lead at half-time, taking advantage of a scramble from a corner to level before a fine move down the left produced the second. The second half was fairly scrappy with neither side threatening for long spells. But the closing quarter of an hour saw Harrow crank up the pressure, the visitors’ goal somehow remaining in tact despite several close shaves. One final shot from Khalil Baoku flew wide of the far post and with it went the 3s’ final hopes of salvaging a point.

It was hard on the home side, who were read the riot act at half-time by skipper Joss Awdry following a rather mixed first-half performance, but who improved markedly in the second half. Everything seemed set fair for the side to build on last weekend’s outstanding, if slightly fortunate, win away to Tonbridge 2s when they led after just four minutes: excellent work in midfield from Luke Berry allowed him to free the livewire Alfie Hayes down the right and his cross-shot was fumbled in at the near post by the Westminsters keeper, the ball just rolling over the line before.

But despite this early setback the visitors responded well. Playing with the slope towards the Alcock Pavilion in the first half, Westminsters pressed forwards with some fairly direct football that the men in blue found a handful to resist. Several half-chances were created, none of which were taken. But the visitors threatened more from set-pieces. Harison Saunders produced a superb diving save to tip a flick header from a free-kick past the far post. But from that save three corners were won in quick succession. The first two were defended well but the third produced a scramble inside the six yard box from which a Westminsters centre-back gleefully smashed in.

The Blues initially recovered well from this spell under pressure and seemed to have forced their way back into a pretty even contest. But as the half wore the visitors gradually began to seize control once more. And they took the lead from an excellent move down their left wing that sliced through the Harrow midfield allowing a low cross into the box. The striker supplied the first-time finish and from a goal down Westminsters now led 2-1. The hosts’ situation deteriorated further when a brief flashpoint erupted following a challenge in the middle of the pitch. Referee Kacper Ignatiuk was soon busy taking names following the melee that ensued, Hayes and Buckley the guilty parties from the home side, Buckley forced off to the sin bin for the remainder of the half. Fortunately the Blues reached the break without suffering further, although Westminsters were mightily unlucky not to double their lead when a shot cannoned back off the crossbar before it was scrambled to safety.

The hosts flew out of the traps at the start of the second half following some strong words from the skipper. Substitute Tobi Adebayo sent Hayes clean through with a slide-rule pass but on this occasion the keeper fared much better, diving to his right to palm the ball wide of the far post. The same player was then left frustrated when he headed over from close range from an excellent free-kick from Charlie Lupton.

Awdry made several changes on the hour mark, including the removal of frustrated striker Adam Graham, who once again was left bemoaning the lack of service. Hayes took his place in a central role but he too struggled to make much from the long balls being pumped forwards in his direction. The game became slightly scrappy, neither side able to create any clear-cut chances. In defence, the Harrow back four of Colehan, Wilson, Collins and Awdry dealt comfortably enough with the sporadic Westminsters breaks. Saunders was well protected in goal, a couple of shots sailing well wide of the target, a couple of through-balls easily collected.

Hayes threatened again with a low shot that was blocked by the keeper and as the game entered the final twenty minutes the men in blue began to crank up the pressure. Numerous corners and free-kicks were won, but the delivery failed to test the opposition to any great extent. Hayes continued to look the most dangerous player on the pitch and he came within inches of producing the equaliser when, following excellent work on the right, his cross into the box deflected off a defender and looped towards the far post. Somehow, via a combination of the outstretched keeper’s hand, a leaping defender’s head and the crossbar the ball stayed out and Westminsters escaped.

Further pressure produced plenty of blocked shots but still no breakthrough. Graham was brought back on for the final couple of minutes and a long throw level with the edge of the box provided one final opportunity. The hosts sent everyone forwards, including the keeper, and chaos ensued as Westminsters failed time and again to clear their lines. Following what seemed like an age, the ball finally rolled wide for Khalil Baoku to have a shot at goal but he screwed his effort a yard wide of the far post, the referee blowing for full-time moments later.

Defeat leaves the Blues in fourth in the table, three points behind Saturday’s conquerors, with both sides trailing the top two sides – the Old Berkhamstedians 2s and Old Brentwoods 3s both remain unbeaten and look to be the early favourites for the two promotion spots. The OHAFC will have the chance to test this theory in their next fixture when they host the Brentwoods on the Hill next weekend.