A well-taken Will Payne goal midway through the first half and some doughty defending in tricky conditions helped earn the OHAFC 2nd XI a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Old Sennockians on Saturday afternoon – the 2s’ fifth win in their last six games in League and Cup, confirming their status as one of the form teams in the Arthurian League. The Blues now lie just three points behind their vanquished opponents in fifth place in Division Two with five League games remaining.

Although this particular victory will quickly be forgotten by those in attendance – the high winds gusting across the Hill reducing the game, at times, to almost nothing more than a clog-fest – it undoubtedly provided further confirmation that the OHAFC 2s have now found their mojo and are a serious proposition for any side in the run-in towards the end of the season.

Unfortunately, things got off to a poor start on Saturday morning when Neil Jenkins, who had been due to referee the 1s fixture against the Etonians on the adjoining pitch, failed to arrive, meaning 2s referee Adam Knight being seconded in his place. Harrow substitute Giacomo Grasso volunteered to officiate until Jenkins arrived. The hanging around seemed to affect both sides, with the first ten minutes rather sloppy and tentative. Gradually, the pace quickened and sure enough players soon began flying into challenges with gusto, although the quality was still questionable with both sides panicking somewhat and surrendering possession unnecessarily.

After twenty minutes, with still no sign of the referee, the key moment of the game arrived, an excellent Harrow move down the left that saw Tristan David find Jack Dolbey inside and he then played in Will Payne down the inside left channel, the winger racing through to calmly dink the ball over the onrushing Sennockians keeper.

Barely had the game restarted when the referee did finally make an appearance, apparently convinced that the 1s fixture had been due to kick off at midday. It took a few minutes to sort out the timings, but once play restarted the Blues found their rhythm nicely, at one stage keeping the ball for so long that the Sennockians gave up trying to win it back. Chances continued to prove highly elusive for both sides however, with the gusting wind making life tricky for everyone. Harrow midfielder John Portal was forced off with a hamstring strain, allowing Grasso to enter the fray from a playing perspective. Ed David also made a welcome return to action, switching with Will Monroe shortly before the break.

The second half was, in truth, an appalling spectacle for those watching and little better for those playing. The opening twenty minutes saw both sides riled by some niggly fouls and a few questionable refereeing decisions. Tristan David and Jack Dolbey saw yellow for fouls, although somehow a Sennockian escaped when hauling back Will Payne by his shirt when a quick break looked on. The one critical moment of the half arrived soon afterwards when Miles Kellock committed a foul just outside the box. Hassan Hammad had, to this point, had very little to do in the Harrow goal, but he was now forced into an excellent diving stop to palm away the cross that was destined to sneak inside the far post. A waiting Sennockian turned the loose ball in, but the referee was perfectly placed to spot he’d been in an offside position when the kick was taken and the goal was ruled out.

The final quarter of the game was an almighty slog, with tempers becoming raised but the quality of football almost non-existent. Both sides forced a couple of corners and launched a few long throws into the box, but that was the sum total of their endeavours. Given the scoreline, this suited the hosts perfectly and the game was seen out with the minimum of fuss.

The OHAFC now entertain the side just below them in the table, with the Old Aldenhamians arriving on the Hill next week. Victory over the side from Hertfordshire will almost certainly confirm the Blues’ Division Two status for next season, but the squad will undoubtedly be hoping for rather more benign conditions come Saturday.