2nd XI: Pritchard on song as Harrow go top of Div 3

8 Dec 2013

The OHAFC 2s continued their fine run of form with an away victory against top of the league Old King's Wimbledon.

The starting line up was (right to left): Pritchard - Chopra - J Orr-Ewing - Maydon - Robinson - Main - v Hirsch - Jaguar Bajwa - Owen-Edmunds - Bone - Pratt. Jorel Bajwa started on the bench.

The preparation for the game was far from ideal. Many players, including captain Orr-Ewing and stand in VC Chopra, were late arriving, with Main, Bone and Owen Edmunds getting to the ground 5 mins before KO. Von Hirsch did well to make the game having been involved in a car crash on his way to the game. The flashy European star showed his priorities haven't been skewed by fame and wealth, rattling into the ground with the bumper of his people mover dragging along the ground.

Despite almost no warm up, Harrow were on top for the first 20 minutes. A succession of throw ins and corners threatened the OKWs net, with Orr-Ewing heading wide twice, Chopra volleying goalwards and a number of crosses being snuffed out by the reds defence.

George Pratt, making his debut as a lone striker, worked his socks off running side to side, not allowing OKWs to have any easy possession and frequently winning Harrow territory in the final third.

His hard work was matched in centre mid, with Bajwa and v Hirsch rising to the challenge of keeping the elbowy blond playmaker quiet, while winning good possession and allowing the attacking trio of Bone, Main and COE to express themselves and get forward.

However, Harrow had Pritchard to thank for keeping them in the game when he twice pulled off excellent saves. After Orr-Ewing had clumsily bundled into the back of the King's striker to concede an unnecessary penalty, Pritchard guessed right and got a strong pair of fists to the well taken penalty. The ball bounced into his junk and the ensuing pain disabled the 2s stopper from a well earned celebration. And a few minutes later he was in action again. The King's danger man got a good head on a deep cross, and the ball was heading into the top corner before Pritchard acrobatically tipped it onto the bar and over.

At one point Chopra, long after the whistle had been blown for offside, connected sweetly with a long range volley, thumping the ball far into the distance, and being forced by the OKWs to retrieve it himself, which was quite amusing.

In recent weeks Harrow have been slow to start in the second half, but today they were fast out the blocks and showed their determination to get the result. Jorel Bajwa replaced Robinson at left back and did well. His languid relaxed style of play matches that of his older brother, and the two Bajwas were a calming influence in a game where panic was not an option.

As the half progressed, Bone and Owen Edmunds were able to turn the Kings defenders and got to the goal line on numerous occasions, driving into dangerous areas but not able to provide the final touch. Bone, whose feet are covered in blisters and missing toe nails, and who was out celebrating his birthday the night before, showed pace and skill for the full 90 mins, causing trouble all the way across the back line. Matt Main had a very good game at right mid, supporting Chopra well when called upon to defend and getting forward with purpose. The additions of Main, Pratt and Owen Edmunds to the squad is exciting news going into the second half of the season.

And it was Main who scored first for Harrow, his second in two games for the club. After Conti fluffed a corner along the ground it rolled tamely to the King's keeper, who conspired to roll out the way and bundle the ball into Main, who tapped home from a few feet. It was a timely goal and well deserved for the pressure. Conti's claim that it was "right from the training ground" probably did little to comfort the embarrassed goalie.

After a few minutes of pressure, ably soaked up by the Harrow back four, we were back on the front foot. Pratt continued to hold the ball up well and brought in the midfielders when possible. And he was rewarded for his hard work when he challenged for a long ball, winning the header and feeding Owen Edmunds. Still with a lot to do, the young left winger squared up to the Kings defender, saw no options for the pass and elected to take on his man. Having beaten him for pace and got to the goal line, he slotted home from a tight angle. This week's celebration was even more exuberant than last week's, seeing the youngster tear off his shirt and wheel away in ecstasy. He was still pumped up when he shielded a ball out for a goal kick at the other end moments later, and turned to the King's captain and jibed "easy money". Its fair to say Owen Edmunds is enjoying his performances for the 2s.

Pritchard had another good save to make as the first clean sheet since April loomed, and Chopra made a last ditch block at the death.

2-0, a clean sheet and 3 points take Harrow top of Division 3. Having taken 13 points from the last 15 available they deserve to be there, and the table shows the title is wide open going into next year.

Harrow face a difficult trip to Brentwood in their final game of 2013. The opportunity to go into the winter break top of the table is something this side hasn't had for many years.