Despite a valiant effort in horrible conditions, the OHAFC 2nd XI finally succumbed to a strong Old Parkonians 2s in the quarter-finals of the Junior Old Boys Cup on Saturday, losing 2-1 after extra time, the two sides locked at 1-1 after ninety minutes. Parkonians had their chances to put the tie to bed in a frantic last twenty minutes of normal time, but thanks to some outstanding keeping from Charlie Walsh and a penalty blazed over the bar, the visitors were forced to into the extra half-hour. The defeat ends the Blues’ first ever Old Boys Cup campaign but the two games played were enjoyable enough to suggest the side will return to the competition next season.

Although little was known about the Parkonians prior to kick-off, the fact they sat top of their division, having won seven of nine League games, and had beaten East Barnet Old Grammarians 7-2 earlier in the season – the side the OHAFC had knocked out 3-0 in the first round – suggested this would be a stiff challenge for Geoff Taunton-Collins’ side.

The main pitch on the Philathletic Ground was in probably the best condition it has been in all season, but, similar to the Wembley surface just a few miles up the road, is still some way short of the immaculate standards set previously. Of more concern, certainly to the hosts judging by the number of leggings on display, was the sharp drop in temperature, with players cracking open their winter wardrobes to exhibit a variety of hats, gloves and jackets. The decision by Andres Hutchinson to play the entire thirty minutes of extra-time in a beanie hat was perhaps taking things too far, although maybe that can be put down to his Iberian blood…

Encouragingly, right from kick-off both sides played some enterprising football and it was abundantly clear that Parkonians were a well-organised side with height at the back and some pace and strength up front. But the hosts settled well and enjoyed the better of the opening quarter of an hour, the midfield trio of Alexi Pittalis, Freddie Brunt and Charlie Bick keeping the ball well and Max Curry proving his usual ebullient self up front. Chances had been few and far between for either side but the deadlock was broken from nowhere courtesy of a stunning strike from the effervescent Hutchinson – the ball fell to the youngster twenty-five yards from goal and he had only one thing on his mind, thrashing his shot into the top corner with his left foot past a stunned Parkonians keeper.

The visitors were rocking and moments later presented their opponents with a gilt-edged chance to double their lead, a blind pass back fell straight to Max Curry on the edge of the box and he looked to have done the hard part, rounding the keeper only to screw his shot wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.

The let-off proved costly as Parkonians regrouped and began to force their way back into the tie as the half wore on. Charlie Walsh was called upon several times in the Harrow goal and made some crucial stops as the hosts sought to hang on to their lead. The defence appeared to be coping well enough with the lively Parkonians striker, so it was disappointing that, for the second week running, a simple set-piece offered their opponents a way back into the game. A free-kick ten yards inside the Harrow half was pumped into the box and one of the tall centre-halves leapt, apparently unchallenged, to loop a header high into the cold west London air. Walsh back-peddled and seemed to time his jump well enough, but as the ball landed he could only succeed in palming it back into the air and into the roof of the Harrow net.

No changes were made at the break, but the hosts struggled to re-assert their authority at the start of the second half, Parkonians now playing with a strong wind behind them. With possession proving elusive, Hovey was removed on the hour-mark and Lederman, who had struggled with illness all week, was introduced to the fray. As space began to open up around the pitch, the Blues found their feet again and enjoyed a spell of pressure midway through the half, without ever really testing the Parkonians goalkeeper.

But as the game wore on, the wind began to hamper Harrow efforts to clear their lines and for the final twenty minutes they found themselves camped on the edge of their own box, desperately trying to push up. Walsh tried kicking long, but the ball invariably came flying back. Several attempts to play out from the back proved only partially successful. It was abundantly clear that survival was the name of the game until the final whistle.

That the sides reached the final whistle still locked at 1-1 owed much to further heroics from Walsh, who produced some fine saves to keep the scores level. He nearly undid all his excellent work when he was fractionally late rushing off his line to intercept and conceded a penalty with ten minutes remaining. Unbelievably, for the second time in succession against the Harrow 2s, the penalty was blazed over the bar.

But that was not the end of the drama. With minutes remaining a Parkonians corner was swung deep to the back post and Lederman momentarily froze as he attempted to clear. The ball dribbled agonisingly backwards between his legs, hit the post and was eventually cleared, leading to howls of protests from the visitors that it had crossed the line. Referee Dace, on the other side of the box, was in no position to see and so waved play on, much to the Parkonians’ chagrin.

The final whistle saw the teams change ends and Hovey reintroduced for a surprisingly ineffective Brunt, although in truth both the wide players, Brunt and Ollie Curry, had received precious little service for much of the game.

With the wind now at their backs, the hosts started the extra period well enough, certainly not penned in as they had been previously. But hopes of an easier ride were dispelled halfway through the first period when the visitors struck with an opportunistic goal. The ball was played down the Parkonians right and the striker latched onto it, out-sprinting the back four before firing a strong shot across goal. Walsh went down to save but the ball squirmed through his grasp, the steady drizzle providing an unhelpful slickness, and nestled inside the far corner.

Parkonians sensed victory and, in truth, were rarely troubled in the remainder of the contest as the OHAFC struggled to create any clear chances of note. One final free-kick fell to the hosts on the edge of the box, but Lederman’s effort clipped the top of the wall and fell safely into the keeper’s arms.

So a disappointing exit as the first chance of silverware this season goes begging for the 2s. But the side produced a decent enough performance against strong opponents, perhaps the only nagging regret will be that once again a basic set-piece allowed their opponents a way back into the game.

Next week sees the final OHAFC outing of the year and the visit of Charterhouse 2s to the Hill. Another cracking fixture to end 2018 with and another stern challenge, with the opportunity to reach the halfway point of the season in the top half of Division Two.