For the second consecutive season, the Old Rugbeians and OHAFC 1st XI put on an explosive, goal-laden thriller on the astroturf in Whitton, but this time it was the men in white who went on to claim the three points – on this occasion, rather undeservedly. The Blues had triumphed here 5-3 back in March, owing much to a superb first half display and a hat-trick from striker George Taylor. They again flew out of the traps on Saturday, scoring twice inside the first ten minutes, but failed to press home their advantage and by half-time, owing to some increasingly strong play from the hosts and a few defensive lapses, the Rugbeians had turned the match on its head to lead 3-2. But the OHAFC dominated much of the second half, deservedly levelling just past the hour mark with a super Will Payne goal. The match looked destined for a draw as the final few minutes ticked by, only of the hosts to snatch possession deep inside their own half and storm downfield leaving the striker with a clear run on goal. It was a cruel end for a Harrow side who had deserved far more for their efforts.

Following last weekend’s highly encouraging win over the Old Malvernians, skipper Dan Firoozan was again able to name a strong twelve for this 2pm kick-off, even allowing for the late withdrawal of Ali Buckley through illness. Fortunately, Euan Barr, brother of Murray, stepped into the fray and he acquitted himself well in the second half, coming on at right wing-back in place of Fraser McGuinness – who has temporarily hung up his keeping gloves in a bid to prove himself equally capable in an outfield role.

The game crackled from the start, with barely three minutes on the clock when a Harrow attack forced a corner on the right, the returning Oli Acar whipped the ball into the near post and Ed Beecham rose highest, thumping his header into the net via a defender. Rugbeians nearly levelled immediately afterwards, some rather hesitant Harrow defending causing keeper Hassan Hammad into a couple of decent saves. But a lovely Harrow move saw the Blues double their lead after ten minutes: Beecham hooked the ball forwards, Dobree flicked on first-time to Oli Acar, who carried the ball to the edge of the box before firing across goal – the keeper did well to parry but was left stranded as Dobree had continued his run into the box and was left with the simplest of tap-ins.

Again, the lead was immediately threatened, the hosts now hitting the bar with an ambitious shot from out on the left that soared over Hammad but failed to dip sufficiently. Harrow responded with some excellent football, pressing high and forcing the hosts into some wayward clearances, Oli Acar and Will Payne using their pace and trickery to excellent effect – hopefully the beginnings of a fruitful partnership for seasons to come.

The Rugbeians, from almost nowhere, then pulled a goal back, this time a shot from the left was perfectly struck, soaring over the Harrow keeper and leaving him with no chance. As so often is the case in football, the goal changed the complexion of the game completely. The visitors lost all momentum and the game became scrappy and uneven, littered with fouls. Rugbeians took full advantage, levelling from the spot on the half-hour mark following an injudicious challenge from Ciaran Jordan out wide.

Now it was the hosts in command, finishing the half strongly and looking far the more likely side to forge ahead. The Harrow defence began to creak with possession consistently lost in the defensive third and the forwards now fighting for scraps. It was little surprise when a third Rugby goal was scored, Hammad rather flapping at a free-kick, his weak punch led to a scramble on the penalty spot with the ball turned in through a forest of legs.

The Blues eventually did well to get to the interval trailing by just the one goal, several further near misses having been endured, including one shot that ricocheted back off the inside of the top of the post with Hammad well beaten. McGuinness was replaced at the break, but the 5-2-3 formation remained – the supposed security of an extra defender failing to materialise in the opening half of football.

But to the visitors’ immense credit they came out strongly after half-time and dominated much of the remained of the game. The final pass eluded them for long periods, with the Rugbeian keeper rarely tested. But play was now concentrated firmly in the opposition half, the Harrow front three again looking lively, Euan Barr making a nuisance of himself on the right and his brother Murray an increasing presence in the middle.

The equaliser, which was fully deserved, was a beauty, arriving just after the hour mark. Murray Barr collected the ball in midfield, fed Oli Acar on the left and he dinked the ball over the top for Will Payne to run onto and deftly flick the ball over the advancing keeper and into the far corner.

At this stage, a Harrow victory looked the most likely result, but the Rugbeian defence held firm, aided by some impressive physicality and solid organisation. The Blues probed and pressed but again struggled to create clear chances. With just under ten minutes remaining Acar and Payne combined down the right, the cut back was perfect but Murray Barr’s shot was well saved by the hosts’ keeper.

An entertaining draw appeared the best either side could hope for but with just three minutes remaining the Rugbeians snatched a victory from the most unlikely situation. Further Harrow pressure earned a free-kick and corner on the right, the ball eventually cleared for a throw. In a rush to maintain momentum, the throw-in was quickly taken back to Ed Nicholson, but his awkward touch from the bouncing ball saw it run clear into space and suddenly white shirts flooded forwards past a threadbare Harrow rearguard. One pass was all that was required to send a midfielder sprinting through on goal and he made no mistake, biding his time before planting the ball low in to the bottom corner.

It was undoubtedly tough luck on an OHAFC side who deserved at least a share of the spoils for their efforts. The goals against column is already looking slightly concerning, however, and given the travails of recent seasons, this must be the primary aspect of their play the side look to improve in the coming weeks.