It proved a clear case of rinse and repeat for the OHAFC 2nd XI on a windy Harrow Hill on Saturday morning, the 2s falling to a second consecutive defeat against one of the unbeaten leaders courtesy of conceding some very avoidable goals. Yet again, a corner and an unnecessary penalty sealed the Blues’ downfall against the Old Berkhamstedians 2s, just as they had in defeat to the Old Westminsters’ second string last weekend. Miles Kellock’s spot-kick with just over twenty minutes remaining ensured the result remained in doubt right to the final whistle, but the home side were fortunate not to concede a third when a long-range effort smacked into the crossbar and, despite forcing some promising positions, the equaliser failed to materialise. Defeat leaves the Blues fifth in Division Three with four points from four games played.

Having seen their unbeaten start to the season ended by a strong Westminsters side on the Harrow astroturf seven days ago, the OHAFC 2s were determined to put in a more resolute display against the Berkhamstedians – a side with whom they locked horns twice last season, earning a 0-0 draw at home and a 2-1 win away. Joint skipper Tristan David was away so his place at left wing-back was taken by Kyri Pittalis. Otherwise the side had a very familiar look to it, Calum Butler and Henry Bamford the two options from the bench.

The remnants of Storm Amy ensured that the game kicked off in perfect autumnal sunshine but with a strong wind blowing across the pitch and up towards the Hill. This failed to deter the visitors, however, who, following a fairly uneventful opening to the match, took the lead from a corner after seven minutes. The ball was whipped into the near post and flicked away, rather unorthodoxly, by Alexi Pittalis. But the clearance fell straight to an attacker just outside the box and his header back into the danger zone landed perfectly for an unmarked teammate six yards out to loop a second header over keeper Rory Craig and inside the near post. Having conceded from a corner inside two minutes last weekend, this was the last thing the home side needed.

It took the hosts a good twenty minutes to really get going. Up to that point the visitors had been the better side, although the conditions ensured that despite their superior territory and possession, few chances of note were created. Harrow’s first opportunity also arrived from a set-piece and probably should have resulted in an equaliser. Ed Stewart did well to win a free-kick on the left in a tussle with an opponent and he was the man on the end of Miles Kellock’s delivery, somehow heading high and wide from seven yards out.

The Blues improved as the first half wore on, Taunton-Collins embarking on one of his trademark runs down the right and crossing for Andy Hutchinson, his lay-off to the edge of the box was drilled just wide of the near post by Max Curry. The hosts’ best chance of the half then arrived as an intelligent switch pass found Kyri Pittalis midway inside the Berkhamsteds half and he produced delicate chip over the full-back for Owain James to run onto. The striker just got to the ball in time and flicked it goalwards only to see the keeper parry the effort. But Hutchinson had followed in and looked favourite to score, only for his effort to be blocked at point-blank range before a defender cleared the danger. The hosts had one final effort prior to the break to level, a counter-attack down the left that saw Kellock collect Max Curry’s pass halfway inside his own half before embarking on a dazzling run. The skipper beat two men along the touchline before cutting inside, unfortunately the shot failed to match what had preceded it and the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Half-time saw both substitutes introduced, Butler and Bamford replacing Kyri Pittalis and Ludo Palazzo, and although the side were trailing, there was still plenty of optimism the tide could be turned against a solid, if rather unspectacular Berkhamsteds side.

The second half followed the pattern of the first, the visitors starting the better and once more finding the back of the net after seven minutes, only for the referee to rule the effort out for offside. But two minutes later the Blues did concede and this time it was more than avoidable. An overhit pass into the penalty area should have elicited a routine clearance, but Giacomo Grasso tried to control it and instead presented it straight to an opponent. The striker carried the ball forwards and rather fell over the outstretched leg of the covering Alexi Pittalis, referee Gary Little left with little choice but to award the penalty. The shot was drilled into the bottom left corner and the Blues now had a mountain to climb.

Problems mounted further when Max Curry was forced off with a sore hamstring, Ludo Palazzo replacing him. The visitors then drew a fine save from Craig, the keeper flinging himself to his right to palm a shot around the post. But just as had been the case in the first half, the home side gradually began to fight their way back into the game and it was now the Berkhamstedians under pressure. Ed Stewart had an effort from close range blocked, a long clearance then allowed Owain James the chance to show his pace and he did brilliantly, harassing the last defender and knocking the ball into the box, the defender barging into him from behind as he prepared to shoot. Once more the referee pointed to the spot, Kellock firing his shot bottom right to drag his side back into the game.

Andy Hutchinson then had a great chance to seal the comeback, latching onto a pass down the inside left channel and, with just the keeper to beat, most of the team prepared to celebrate as he drove into the box. But the forward delayed his shot and allowed just enough time for a defender to cover across and block the effort.

The closing stages actually saw the visitors come closest to scoring: first, a superb long-range strike that sailed on the wind over Craig’s head before smacking square into the crossbar; then a one-on-one through the middle that saw the keeper fly off his line and deny the goalbound shot with his left boot. Try as they might, the home side could not force another chance of note and were left to rue a narrow defeat that could have ended very differently.