The OHAF 1st XI followed up last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to the Old Rugbeians with another hard-earned point away to the Old Westminsters on Saturday morning, George Taylor’s scrambled last minute effort earning the visitors a rather ill-deserved point on the astroturf in Rotherhithe.

Having seen their opponents snatch away a deserved victory late on seven days ago, this time it was the men in blue who enjoyed a healthy dose of luck in the dying embers of a game in which Westminsters dominated for long spells.

The hosts started confidently on the huge artificial pitch at the Bacon Community Centre in the shadow of Canary Wharf, spreading play left and right, the two wide men constantly in the game. To their credit, the Blues remained resolute in defence and keeper Alex Fraysse had little work to do. The tall Westminsters striker posed a threat, but he was well marshalled by centre-halves Ed Nicholson and Ali Buckley and it was a case of a job well done when the half-time whistle blew and the game still awaited its first goal.

But that changed quickly in the second half, however, when the hosts finally made their dominance tell to go 1-0 up. A spell of possession in the middle of the pitch saw the ball fed out to the right and the winger delivered a beautiful cross to the far post the striker to run onto and plant a first-time finish past keeper Alex Fraysse.

The pattern of the game remained consistent throughout the second half, the hosts dominant and looking the more likely side to score the next goal. But as time ticked into the final few minutes, the failure to add to their solitary effort after the break came back to haunt the men in pink. With the clock showin ninety minutes, a rare foray forwards earned the Blues a corner. Skipper Dan Firoozan delivered and there then followed an almighty scramble as the ball deflected off several players before George Taylor prodded towards goal. Two defenders tried in vain to prevent the shot crossing the line but they only ended up getting in each other’s way and watched on in horror as the ball trickled into the back of the net.

A lucky escape indeed for the OHAFC but credit must go to the side for sticking to their guns and fighting hard to stay in the game under considerable pressure. The Blues have another away game on artificial turf next weekend, the short trip to Kings House Sports Ground in Chiswick for a meeting with the struggling Old Salopians.