It was almost a case of déjà vu for the OHAFC 2nd XI on Saturday as, for the second season in succession, they travelled to Fairlop Oak in Essex to face the Old Foresters 2nd XI, took the lead in a tight contest before conceding from set-piece goals to eventually finish on the wrong end of a narrow defeat. The loss brings to a frustrating end the fine run of recent form that had seen the team climb away from the wrong end of the table, the Blues remaining in seventh place in Division Two.

Conditions in Ilford were, as expected, hardly ideal, although the uneven pitch had, as skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins put it in his pre-game team-talk ‘a covering of grass on it.’ Quite what else he was expecting to be covering it only he will know. A strong easterly breeze blew directly down the pitch, with the visitors choosing to play into the wind in the first half.

For the opening twenty minutes the Blues made light of both the elements and the strong Forest side in front of them with some enterprising football, combined with the grit and determination that is now a regular feature of this improving OHAFC 2nd XI side. Owen-Edmunds down the left and Will Payne down the right both looked lively, with skipper Taunton-Collins, as usual, making a nuisance of himself by closing down any red shirt that moved within twenty yards of him. It was also of huge benefit to the visitors that McGuinness’ goal kicks were consistently powerful enough to allow the back four to push up and the midfield to challenge for balls on the halfway line, as opposed to midway inside their own half.

Both sides initially favoured their right sides to attack down, the visitors putting together one excellent move that saw Lederman and Payne combine several times before the latter fed Owen-Edmunds on the edge of the box but he was unable to convert the chance. For Forest, their greatest success came from long balls over the head of left-back Will Monroe, but sufficient cover was provided by centre-halves Orr-Ewing and Woolley and McGuinness was alert to collect any over-hit passes.

The Harrow opener just before the half-hour came thanks to some clinical football from the visitors. Taunton-Collins challenged for a goal kick in midfield and the ball fell at the feet of right-back Tom Ward. He delivered an inviting ball over the top for Payne to sprint after and, having ridden the challenge of the last defender, he looked up and unselfishly squared for Owen-Edmunds, who took a touch to compose himself before drilling home past a despairing defensive lunge on the line.

But the closing fifteen minutes of the half belonged almost exclusively to the hosts, who gradually built up a head of steam that saw them bombard the Harrow goal on a regular basis. Set-pieces proved a particular difficulty for the Blues, with several corners and free-kicks providing free headers for Forest – fortunately they were unable to take advantage. The closest they came was from a corner that caused an almighty scramble on the line, several efforts were somehow blocked, the last one landing between the legs of Jack Orr-Ewing on the line and staying there for what appeared an eternity before eventually being hacked clear.

The sighs of relief at the half-time whistle were almost audible across the wide expanses of playing fields at Fairlop Oak, with surely the hardest forty-five minutes of the afternoon safely negotiated. Skipper Taunton-Collins made some tactical changes, with Lederman and Orr-Ewing giving way to the more robust Dolbey and O’Hara, who took his place as the lone striker, the skipper reverting to right-back.

With the wind now at their backs and a half-time lead to defend, confidence in the Harrow ranks of a first ever win away to Forest in Division Two was high. But within a minute of the re-start the hard-earned lead had been lost and, unsurprisingly, it was a set-piece that did it – a long throw was hurled into the box and met with an excellent header at the near post that looped agonisingly slowly before nestling perfectly inside the near post, McGuinness offering almost a token dive.

Despite playing into the wind, it was Forest who seized control of the game, looking far more assured in possession than the visitors, who seemed unsure how best to play with conditions now in their favour. McGuiness’ goal kicks, that had proved so useful in clearing the lines in the first half, now proved to be too powerful, with several kicks flying straight through to his opposite number in the Forest goal.

Despite this, O’Hara did his best to hassle and harry up front and with a bit of luck on a couple of occasions could have seen the ball drop kindly to him. As it was, it was the hosts who took the lead for the first time in the game. A soft free-kick was awarded on the halfway line and pumped forwards towards the Harrow box. The flick-on ran perfectly for the striker, who made no mistake in dispatching it past McGuinness.

Taunton-Collins responded by returning Lederman to the fray and switching to a 4-4-2 formation with Max Curry pushed forwards in support of O’Hara. And for ten minutes the changes looked like they may bear fruit: Owen-Edmunds ran clear down the left and beat a couple of players but couldn’t finish. Lederman then twice fed O’Hara but he failed to hit the target, drilling over with his first shot before narrowly firing wide of the near post with an instinctive first-time effort. A third chance then came to him and was the closest of all, a powerful drive that beat the keeper but clipped the top of the crossbar.

But as the game moved into the final twenty minutes the desperation of both sides to claim a result got the better of them and the match descended into a succession of niggly fouls that referee David Goss was only too happy to blow for. The constant interruptions to the play only served to help the hosts, who with a lead under their belts took their time to gather themselves before concentrating play in the Harrow half. The visitors struggled to gain any momentum after that, indeed it was only in the closing seconds that they finally managed to fashion a shot on goal: Ollie Curry, who had worked tirelessly in midfield throughout, set himself on the edge of the box but could only blaze over.

It was, in many respects, a typical game at Forest, always one of the hardest grounds to visit on the Arthurian League circuit. The first half saw the OHAFC do everything required of them and more and with an excellent goal earning them the lead at the break, a first win in Essex looked a distinct possibility. But the second half belonged to the hosts, who adapted to the wind far better and played the more purposeful football. The Blues need to learn to trust their abilities more, especially against the better sides in the division, if they are to truly prosper at this level.

There is no let up for the team, despite Christmas rapidly hoving into view. The next two Saturdays see two enticing, and no doubt challenging fixtures to come on the Hill. First up is the visit of the Old Parkonians for an Old Boys Cup quarter-final postponed from a fortnight ago. As the last remaining Arthurian League side left in the competition, the Blues will be trying their hardest to fly the flag for the League.

A week later, Charterhouse 2s visit for the return League fixture following a closely-fought 2-2 draw down in Surrey earlier in the season. Despite dominating possession, the hosts were stymied by two magnificent Harrow goals and were forced to settle for a point they felt was scant reward for their overall play. The final game of 2018 could decide who holds the bragging rights for this season.