The OHAFC 3rd XI suffered a major setback in their quest to claim the second promotion spot from Division Four on Saturday afternoon, dropping two points away to the already-relegated Old Eastbournians in Barn Elms.

On a small, bobbly pitch, high-quality football was at a premium from both sides, with set-pieces and long throws appearing the most likely route to goal for both sides. The visitors took the lead shortly after half-time when Tommy Faber tapped in from close range following a Connor Barrett throw. But with twenty minutes remaining the hosts equalised from a long ball over the top that caught the Harrow defence pushing up allowing the Eastbourne striker to run on and lob Tom Mitchell from the edge of the box.

Despite frantic efforts in the closing stages to snatch the win, the Blues never came close to breaking down the stubborn Eastbournian defence and had to settle for a point that means, almost certainly, that two wins are needed from the final two games to ensure promotion – and even that may not be sufficient.

Following the recent disappointments of exiting the David Woolcott Trophy to the Sennockians on penalties and the home defeat to the Old Suttonians that saw them clinch the Division Four title, the Blues arrived in sunny south-west London knowing they could ill-afford another slip-up if they were to remain in the hunt for the second promotion spot. Despite a comfortable 5-1 win over the Eastbournians as recently as late February, Nick Kapoor’s men knew that the fixture in Barn Elms would be a very different kettle of fish, with the cramped, uneven playing surfaces a distinct contrast to the pristine Philathletic Ground.

And so it proved in a fairly dire first half that saw both sides take the term ‘scrappy football’ to new heights. The Blues tried to get the ball down and play, but the surface made running in possession nigh on impossible and, unsurprisingly, the most likely source of a goal appeared to be from numerous long throws launched in by Connor Barrett and Nick Kapoor or corners, although to Eastbournians’ credit they defended well throughout.

The first half made grim viewing for Fred and Jackie Woolley on the touchlines, although at least they had the warm spring sunshine to accompany them throughout. And their mood lightened just minutes into the second half when Tommy Faber proved an unlikely first goalscorer, finding himself unmarked from yet another long throw that somehow evaded the defenders and allowed him to slot in from close range.

The visitors remained the most likely side to score but the ball just wouldn’t run kindly for them again, several near misses frustrating the side in their quest for the decisive second goal. With Eastbournians offering very little going forwards, there appeared no danger of the points slipping through Harrow hands. But with twenty minutes left a minor lapse in concentration proved fatal: a long hoof from the back caught the Harrow back four square and too high up the pitch and allowed the Eastbournian striker to run through and plant a fine lob over the stranded Tom Mitchell.

Harrow were desperate now and threw everything at their opponents, bombarding the box with numerous throw-ins and corners but still unable to force a mistake. Bick and Morrison drove forwards relentlessly but on each occasion they were repelled by a combination of rugged Eastbournian defence and the uneven playing surface. Three players were booked as tempers rose, with both sides struggling to keep a lid on their emotions.

In some ways it was a small mercy when referee Tini Kaja blew the full-time whistle, clearly it was not meant to be on this occasion despite the best efforts of the men in blue. There was, understandably, some despondency in the Harrow ranks after the game, with many fearing the season was now over.

But the chance to claim the second promotion place is still in Harrow’s hands. A good win at home to the Bancroftians next Saturday and then victory over the Old Columbans in their final fixture would still see the Blues in Division Three next season. It won’t be easy, but the side must still believe…