The OHAC 3rd XI collected their first point of the season in a hard-fought, entertaining 1-1 draw away to the Old Amplefordians on the Bacon Community astroturf in Rotherhithe on Saturday morning. Both sides enjoyed spells of dominance during the game, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring midway through the second half with a cheeky back-heel flick from close range. The Blues responded and earned a deserved equaliser with ten minutes remaining when Olly Roberts crossed for Adam Graham to finish at the far post. The OHAFC sit eighth in Division Four ahead of next weekend’s trip to face Old Brentwoods 3s in Essex.

Following defeats to the Old Kings Scholars and Old Stoics in their two previous fixtures, this was comfortably the 3s’ most encouraging outing of the season to date. Despite a truncated warm-up due to both sides only being able to access the changing rooms twenty minutes prior to kick-off, the game started at a ferocious pace, although much of the passing was, understandably, rather sloppy.

The hosts, who had drawn their only previous game 2-2 away to Haberdashers last weekend, began to assert themselves and half-chances were soon created. The Harrow defence held firm however and skipper Tom Mitchell remained relatively untroubled in goal. The tide then began to turn following an early triple substitution from the skipper, with Collins, Baoku and Tyrer all bringing much-needed impetus to the Harrow energy levels. Again, several half-chances were created but this time the Amplefordians keeper remained untested and it was little surprise that the half-time whistle blew with both sides still searching for the breakthrough despite their best efforts.

The visitors continued in the ascendency after the break, Olly Roberts leading by example and covering every inch of the pitch in a bid to drive the side on. But once more the final ball remained frustratingly elusive, Adam Graham an ever more forlorn presence up front.

As the clock ticked on, the game became more stretched, defences tired and it seemed inevitable that the deadlock would be broken. Unfortunately, from a Harrow perspective, it was the hosts who broke it. Enterprising play down the right saw the ball played into the Harrow box and the visitors twice fail to clear their lines. They were duly punished, as the ball was recycled and this time the cross found a striker six yards out and he produced a clever flick behind him to find the bottom corner.

To Harrow’s credit they responded immediately, switching the formation and applying greater pressure on the Amplefordians goal. It was almost inevitable that the equaliser, when it arrived, found its source in Olly Roberts. He drove down the right, beating his man in the process, and produced a fine cross to the far post, allowing Adam Graham to collect and fire in with glee. Glorious celebrations followed.

With ten minutes remaining, both sides believed they could snatch victory and poured forwards in search of what would surely prove to be a decisive third goal. But, once again, it was only half-chances that were created and, in truth, neither side came close again to breaking the deadlock. The draw was probably a fair reflection of the balance of play and the visitors could enjoy their post-match pints highly satisfied with a hugely encouraging performance.