A dramatic 90th minute-winner from Doug Morrison saw the OHAFC 1st XI snatch a vital League win at home to the Old Foresters on Saturday afternoon, with the denouement made all the more exciting given that the visitors had only equalised moments beforehand. In a tight, tense fixture played under leaden skies and against a strong wind blowing up towards Harrow Hill, the hosts looked to have held on for victory courtesy of Ciaran Jordan’s first goal for the club ten minutes before half-time. But Forest scored from a perfectly delivered corner with three minutes remaining, shattering Harrovian hearts. However, as both sides frantically pushed for a winner, it was the home side who snatched it at the death, Ire Adejade playing in Dan Firoozan down the right and he unselfishly squared it allowing Doug Morrison a simple tap-in. The win lifts the Blues above their opponents in the Premier Division and off the bottom for the first time this season.

With time running out to save what has been, until recently, a very tough season for the OHAFC 1s, this fixture at home to the side directly above them in the table was nothing less than a must-win. As has been the case in recent weeks, skipper Fraser McGuinness was able to name a strong squad for the encounter, including a debut for right-back Stan D’Angelin. Arthur Leney earned a starting berth courtesy of his recent excellent performances, with Jamie Jordache moved into midfield to accommodate the debutant.

Phil 1 was still struggling to recover from recent heavy rainfall, so although it had been dry enough for a fresh cut, the surface was still heavy underfoot and cut up as the game progressed. Of greater concern, however, was the strong crosswind blowing up towards the Hill, which saw both sides struggle to string together many moves of note. Indeed, it was a first half of few chances, with the two sides only separated at the break courtesy of a route one goal for the hosts just after the half-hour mark: McGuinness hoofed a goal-kick long over the retreating Forest back four and Ciaran Jordan latched onto it before coolly chipping the onrushing Forest keeper.

Ed Corwarem replaced Cyprian Owen Edmunds at the break, with Ire Adejade arriving shortly afterwards in place of the goalscorer. Once more, conditions dictated a scrappy affair with the Blues indebted to a goalline clearance from the outstanding George O’Malley in order to preserve their narrow lead. Debutant D’Angelin departed with a quarter of an hour remaining, following an encouraging first appearance in OHAFC colours.

As the game wound down towards the closing stages, it appeared as though the hosts had done enough, Forest struggling to test McGuinness in the Harrow goal. But a late attack saw the visitors earn a corner and the ball was wickedly curled towards the near post at pace allowing a tall Forest defender to nip in front of McGuinness and thump a header in from close range. Understandably, Harrow heads bowed, a desperately-needed win seemingly snatched away with barely three minutes remaining.

Buoyed by the goal, the visitors were roared on from the sidelines and encouraged to go in search of a winner. But that left them exposed at the back, and some excellent possession from the hosts suddenly saw them with a three on two, running at the retreating Forest defence. Adejade carried the ball across the box from left to right and slipped in Firoozan. It seemed as though the midfielder would try and beat the keeper with a shot, but instead he showed supreme composure to look up and unselfishly square the ball across goal for the late-arriving Doug Morrison to walk into the empty net. Despite vain pleas for offside from the opposition, referee Julian Courtenay gave the goal and the Blues celebrated wildly, the goalscorer not the only man to remove his shirt in the excitement of the moment.

The OHAFC now have five games remaining and salvation is still very much a long shot, with third-bottom side the Old Wykehamists seven points ahead with a vastly superior goal difference and a game in hand. However, the Blues have suddenly started to find their feet and have the enticing prospect of a home game against old rivals the Old Etonians up next. A win in that game and suddenly anything is possible…