The OHAFC 1st XI were denied a first win of the new season in heart-breaking circumstances on Saturday morning, a last-minute equaliser allowing the Old Rugbeians to snatch a 2-2 draw on a cloudy Harrow Hill. Star man for the OHAFC was young forward Cameron Mahal, playing just his second game at this level, who twice gave the hosts the lead only for the visitors to spoil his day in dramatic circumstances late on.

Although the Blues were only able to name a bare eleven, there was plenty of youthful promise in the side, with Mahal joined by Walid Nsouli, John Koutalides and Tom Keeble. The only tactical issue revolved around the forward positions with skipper Dan Firoozan deciding to play himself in the most advanced role, Mahal just off him in the ten. The midfield trio of Nsouli, Jordache and James Walduck offered plenty of quality, whilst the return of Ed Nicholson at the back, following an operation on his shoulder, provided a strong aerial presence in both boxes.

The opening minutes provided an early indication of what was to come: a driving run through the middle from Mahal was ended by a clumsy Rugby challenge, Firoozan delivered to the far post but Nicholson was just unable to make contact. Following a promising start, the hosts came within inches of taking the lead when Firoozan embarked on one of his trademark jinking runs past a couple of flailing opponents, his pass found Koutalides, who carried the ball around the keeper only to see his shot on the stretch from a tight angle roll agonisignly across the goal line into the far post.

The Rugbeians cleared that danger, but five minutes later found themselves deservedly trailing to a wonderful Harrow goal. A flowing move started on the edge of their own penalty area and involved most of the side, Walduck’s dummy fooled the pressing forwards and the Blues were away, Keeble feeding Koutalides down the right. The winger played a first-time ball into the six-yard box where Mahal had timed his run to perfection, sweeping home at the near post to spark jubilant celebrations.

The hosts continued on the front foot for the remainder of the half and were good value for their lead at the break. But five minutes into the second half the visitors were level from one of their first meaningful attacks of the game. A long ball skipped off the turf catching Nicholson out and the forward ran on to beat Alex Fraysse, who stumbled at the vital moment allowing the striker a simple route to goal. Understandably, this rocked the home side and the next quarter of an hour was a far more even contest, Fraysse called on a couple of times to thwart Rugbeian half-chances. There was still some promising Harrow play going forwards, but no real chances of note.

With twenty minutes remaining, it appeared as though this tight contest would be decided by the next goal and it was the home side who struck – in almost identical circumstances to their opener. Yet again, Keeble fed Koutalides down the right and he delivered another low cross into the box. Both Firoozan and Mahal could have scored, the youngster got the all-important touch for his second of the morning and the Blues were once more in the driving seat.

Under mounting pressure late on, the home side appeared to have done enough to secure victory as time ticked down to the final few minutes. The Blues were camped inside their own half, partly due to fatigue, partly due to a conscious effort to deny the Rugbeians space. A corner was won and the resulting shot was blocked, but rather than clear their lines, the hosts dallied on the ball and another corner was won. This time it proved fatal. The ball was whipped into the near post, flicked on and an unmarked player at the far post headed home.

It was a cruel ending for the Blues, who have found the Rugbeians tricky opponents in Division One over the last few seasons – the two sides have both won three of the previous six meetings, Saturday’s draw the first time the teams couldn’t be separated. Strong performances from a number of players augur well for the future, but availability is key, with a bare eleven yet again tiring late on.