The OHAFC 3rd XI failed to capitalise on their opening win of the season last weekend when they struggled to break down a stubborn Old Kings Scholars side on the astroturf in Bermondsey, eventually falling to a disappointing 2-0 defeat. Although the visitors began brightly and created several chances, they were never at their fluent best and a couple of defensive errors in the second half saw the hosts claim the points.

With the weather still set fair and the squad buoyed by the excellent 6-3 win over the Wellingtonians, there was no shortage of demand for places for the trip to the City of London Academy in southeast London on Saturday for the 11am kick-off. Ten of the players who featured last week maintained their 100% appearance record, with Charlie Dunn taking over between the posts for the absent Jake Speed, last season’s OHAFC leading scorer Adam Graham making his 3s’ season debut, as well as Toby Colehan and substitute Ollie Wilson who was making his club debut.

Although conditions were set fair in London and the artificial surface was in good condition, the dimensions of the pitch were slightly concerning, with a much narrower playing surface compared to those on the Philathletic Ground. Nevertheless, the visitors started brightly, passing the ball nicely with, as expected, Luke Berry to the forefront of much of the best work. Forward Alvin Adefarasin came closest to breaking the deadlock, but couldn’t convert an early chance down the inside left channel, the keeper stretching out his right leg to divert the shot to safety.

King’s Scholars responded well, led by their useful number ten, who caused a few problems for the Harrow rearguard. But the Blues kept their shape and Dunn remained calm in goal, his superb distribution helping the visitors maintain plenty of the ball.

It was little surprise when the half-time whistle blew with the game still goalless. Both sides had created a few chances but there was little for those watching on from the side to get overly animated about.

All three subs had come on by the start of the second half, the fresh legs of Kenderdine-Davies, Baoku and Wilson providing fresh impetus for the men in blue. But the play remained somewhat scrappy, the visitors too eager to play forwards and, consequently, losing possession rather too frequently.

Despite this, the game remained goalless past the hour mark and that rarest of Arthurian League commodities – a goalless draw – seemed a distinct possibility until a couple of avoidable defensive lapses provided Kings with two goals in quick succession – on both occasions the Kings striker was left with a clear run on goal, both times he made no mistake.

Harrow came close to pulling one back via an Adam Graham header, but this was one of those rare 3s games where, in truth, the side never really looked capable of hurting their opponents. A disappointing performance with a rather muted dressing room afterwards. And things won’t be any easier for the side next week either, with a long journey down to Kent to face the OId Tonbridgians 2s for the first ever League meeting between the two teams – the sides met in the Junior League Cup 1st round back in December 2014, Tonbridge running out 4-3 winners on the Hill.