OHAFC II 1 Old Millfieldians 5

The 2s crashed out of the Junior League Cup at the quarter final stage on Saturday.

They faced a largely unknown Millfield side who could only muster 10 men. Due to a late kick off caused by the referee being delayed by planned engineering works on the underground and a slow moving rail replacement bus service from Ruislip, Harrow were deprived of substitute Owen Edmunds, who was required for the 1s game vs Lancing.

Only realising they were playing 10 men after a few minutes of the game, Harrow started the game the stronger of the sides. Both teams looked to play balls over the opposition defence, causing Harrow defenders Orr-Ewing and Gordon to drop a little deeper. The first goal was set up by a well played long ball right down the middle by Orr-Ewing, which Curry fought well for then slotted home for his 7th of the season to level him with Harry Hoffan as the club's top scorer.

The first half saw an odd tactic of playing 4 central midfielders sort of work, with Bajwa, v Hirsch, Kerry and Richardson keeping their positions, communicating well and pushing wide when required. It also relied on the hard work of Curry and Beresford, who chased down the channels well, and Khan and Robinson at full back, who had to deal with a lot of play down the flanks.

Harrow went into half time looking comfortable and assuming the opposition would tire with 10 men in the sun. Unfortunately this was not the case and while Harrow continued to fashion chances, now with Buckley on the left midfield getting good possession in space, it was Millfield whose momentum was growing.

Harrow lacked pace and Millfield were able to keep their shape firm and stamp out any attacks before we fashioned a shooting chance as our technique let us down. By contrast, Millfield had a strong and quick attacking trio, who relentlessly chased down balls into the channels and put Harrow under pressure.

On 70 mins, the first goal was conceded in probably the worst 20 mins the 2s have played all year. The winger got free down the left with Khan pulled out of position by the lack of right midfielders ahead of him, allowing the forward to drive in towards Gordon. Gordon showed him inside, and covered off the shot well. The player was, however, able to find his strike partner, who slotted home under minimal pressure from Orr-Ewing.

And 2 minutes later the visitors were ahead, a corner came out to the edge of the box, and it was returned with interest back into the mixer. Pritchard dealt with the first attempt, but the rebound fell to Millfield, who reacted fast and poker home.

Harrow could, and should, have got back into it. But with Bajwa off with cramp, Kerry inching towards the pavilion to catch the train to Bristol, Buckley clutching a sore knee and v Hirsch coming off worse in another crunching challenge, Harrow were playing as if it was them that had the numerical handicap. Millfield, however, buoyed by their goals, bombed on with the youthful exuberance of a team set on the semi final. Another long ball opened up the Harrow defence, and with Orr-Ewing lazily shouting "keeper keeper keeper come come come", and Pritchard obeying against his better judgement, the striker found himself with an open goal. 3-1.

The fourth was a genuinely good volley from a deep cross, and the fifth the result of Harrow limping towards the final whistle.

The result means Harrow are left with a mid table finish to fight for in Div 3, and the hopes of more silverware for Orr-Ewing's cabinet have all but been extinguished.

The 1s win against Lancing was a welcome fillip the the club as a whole, and the fact that Orr-Ewing managed to track his mobile back to Parsons Green and find the Millfield boys in the pub using the Find My iPhone app was a bonus.

Arjun Chopra's party in Bunga Bunga gave everyone the opportunity to demonstrate just how low the bar has been set this season in terms of quality; after Orr-Ewing had set himself up for a tap in, Khan denied him with a stunning save, before turning provider in Tramp and giving the assist for a beautiful finish, which the 2s skipper tucked away with a cool head.