The OHAFC 2nd XI fell to a second consecutive defeat this season when losing 3-1 at home to the Old Kimboltonians on a sunny Harrow Hill on Saturday morning. This game was in total contrast to last weekend’s rather dour 1-0 defeat away to the Old Aldenhamians however, with the two sides producing a highly entertaining encounter, particularly in the first half. The visitors scored a couple of breakaway goals, the first unfortunately flying in off centre-half Rory Miller. But Miller then popped up at the other end to bundle in following a free-kick and the game remained finely poised at 2-1 to the visitors for the remainder of the first half and most of the second. An excellent finish from out wide with a quarter of an hour remaining sealed the win for the Kimboltonians however and left the OHAFC still searching for their first point of the new season.

With several regulars away for this first ever League encounter between the two teams, skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins was forced to turn back the clock in a bid to complete his lineup. Azhar Khan, fresh from his encouraging cameo last weekend, was once more included, whilst Alex Cater – he of the famous long throw – returned to OHAFC action for the first time in over five seasons. Both players would start on the bench, with welcome season debuts for Will Monroe at right-back and Max Curry in central midfield. Alex Gabbitas made his 2s debut having featured for the 1s in their defeat to the Rugbeians last weekend.

Although a beautiful, clear sky greeted the players on their arrival on the Phil, closer inspection of the one pitch marked out confirmed fears that the lack of rainfall throughout the summer had left the ground firm and patchy. Thankfully, the drainage channels that scarred the Philathletic Ground years ago have long since healed, so for the most part the ball ran true.

Which was just as well, as the first half quickly developed into something akin to a basketball game, with play switching manically from one end to the other, both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. The contrast to the 2s’ previous snoozefest away to the Aldenhamians couldn’t have been greater, Jack Dolbey almost scoring inside a minute when he stormed through to the edge of the box, his first shot was well saved by the keeper, the rebound frustratingly fired wide of the target.

Back came the visitors, who seemed intent on firing long balls over the top of the Harrow back four. Fortunately, the rejigged defensive line responded well, with Will Monroe and Ed Pagani solid out wide and confident on the ball and the two centre-halves, Rory Miller and Alexander Gabbitas, who were both playing their first game of the season, coping with the pace and movement of the Kimboltonians’ forwards. The OHAFC, playing in their change yellow shirts, also played with far more fluidity than they had displayed against the Aldenhamians, with wide men Taunton-Collins and Kellock regularly involved. The hosts’ efforts in attack were hampered somewhat by a dead leg suffered by striker Pedro Azagra that saw him struggle as the half wore on. Alex Cater initially came on for a five minute spell to give the forward time to recover, but it became increasingly apparent that the injury would require longer to overcome, Cater returning for the entirety of the second half.

By this time, the sides had shared three goals between them in a fifteen-minute spell midway through the half. The opener for the Kimboltonians was slightly fortunate, a break down their left ending with a low cross into the box that was accidentally turned in by a stretching Rory Miller. The second, soon afterwards, could have been avoided, Gabbitas, who performed solidly throughout, making a rare error when diving in on the halfway line and allowing the striker to turn and race in on goal. One pass square allowed a simple finish past keeper Rory Craig.

It would have been easy for Harrow heads to drop, facing a 2-0 deficit and yet to score a goal in nearly a game and a half. But the hosts had more than enjoyed their share of the play and deserved their goal when it arrived just after the half-hour mark, Rory Miller bundling in from almost on the goalline following a Miles Kellock free-kick that had been flicked on by Max Curry.

Half-time saw Azhar Khan, who had enjoyed an encouraging outing at Aldenham, enter the fray, Lederman making way. Azagra remained sidelined with his dead leg, although he made every effort to try to shake off the effects.

Unfortunately, for those watching on from the sidelines at least, the second half proved rather pallid in comparison to the first. Both sides maintained a high tempo, but the quality of football was somewhat lacking, especially in the final thirds. The result was that neither keeper was really called into action, which suited the visitors more given their narrow lead. Referee Chris Bodell, officiating his first OHAFC fixture, was also called to intervene more frequently, although the vast majority of decisions were absolutely correct and both sides had little cause for complaint.

As the half wore on, it became increasingly tricky to spot where the hosts might pluck an equaliser from, with even Cater’s long throws imparting negligible impact on the game. A third Kimbolton goal, with just under a quarter of an hour remaining, settled matters. A quick break down the left saw the pacy winger race through into space. Craig initially raced off his line but then thought better of it, screeching to a halt midway inside his box. It offered an inviting target for the forward, who finished in style, clipping the ball over the keeper and into an empty net with a perfectly-placed right foot shot.

The hosts offered little by way of response, Kellock firing wildly over from a free-kick before one final chance presented itself, Lederman’s chipped ball from a similar set-piece headed squarely against the crossbar by a twisting Max Curry.

Although this was a better showing from the 2s than the opening day defeat at Aldenham, it’s clear that the side still have several gears to go through before they are at their best. The Blues will need to accelerate the improvement however, with the Etonians due on the Hill next weekend.