1s' fate hangs in the balance after Lancing defeat

26 Mar 2019

The fate of the OHAFC 1st XI will be decided on the final day of the season following a hugely disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Lancing Old Boys on Saturday. Coupled with a win for the Old Cholmeleians away at the Marlburians, three sides still retain hope of snatching the final promotion spot from Division One, with Harrow's trip to north London to face Cholms in late April almost certainly a winner-takes-all clash.

Despite having a man advantage for almost 80 minutes of the game, Lancing losing a player to injury and not having a substitute, the Blues failed to make their numerical superiority tell, struggling to create chances against a well-organised Lancing back four.

Some sloppy marking from a free-kick midway through the half allowed a free header for the hosts and put them a goal to the good.

The Blues huffed and puffed through much of the second half but had to wait until the closing stages before they looked like grabbing an equaliser: Alex Breeden had a strong claim for a penalty turned away, before Fred Richardson crashed a header against the bar. When the ball was then cleared from under the Lancing crossbar inches from the line it became clear this was not to be Harrow's day.

A late error from goalkeeper Fraser McGuinness then allowed the hosts to seal the win, the ball being lobbed back over the keeper's head after he had failed to punch clear.

Despit the result, the Blues' fate is still in their own hands: vicotry in their final game at Cholms would be enough to secure the promotion they have been chasing all season.

Saturday's team lineup is now available in the results section with a match report due in shortly.