OHAFC II 2 Old Westminsters II 2 (2:2 AET, 4:1 Pens)

The 2nd XI held their nerve on Saturday to pull off a hard fought victory in a game that went all the way to penalties. Having come from behind twice through a Soyinka double, they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the shoot out, not least due to the heroics of the injured Pitallis.

The day began less auspiciously for the hosts when three Polos - driven by Alhadeff, Max Curry, and Taunton-Collins - entered the Sports Hall car park simultaneously. Being faced with one complete row of cars and acres of unused space the drivers panicked at the overwhelming choice of places to park. Taunton-Collins did a figure of eight, Curry performed a loop of the parked row while Alhadeff reversed dangerously towards Taunton-Collins. A parking attendant was forced to intervene and Curry was told sternly to start a new row.

With all the players safely changed and on pitch, save Okoigun who managed to completely disappear for fifteen minutes on the three minute walk from the sports hall to the astro, the team warmed up. They were informed by their skipper they’d be playing a 352 with defensive wing backs - the strategy being to solidify a defence that had leaked too many goals this season.

The game began with Harrow playing the better football, but struggling to create clear cut chances. The best ones coming to Okoigun and Soyinka who ran at the defence tirelessly, often receiving the ball from Taunton-Collins who delivered some dangerous crosses. Harrow looked solid when Westminster had the ball, with the away side’s chances coming only when balls over the top weren’t dealt by the three Harrow centre backs. A number of these chances were spurned by the Westminster centre forward tripping over his own legs seemingly overexcited at a clear run on goal.

The first goal was scored by Westminster 10 minutes into the second half – the away side having grown into the game after the break. Harrow immediately switched to a more familiar 442. This caused Westminster more problems with Harrow picking the ball up in advanced positions on the wings. One such attack earned the home side a free kick, which was taken by Newton, who was unlucky to hit the bar.

The equaliser was scored by Soyinka. After Westminster failed to clear, Hovey got to the ball first and it fell to Soyinka whose deflected shot sailed into the right hand side of the goal. His 60th goal in 48 matches for the 2s.

Disaster struck moments later, however. Pitallis raced off his goal line to try to prevent the ball going off for a Westminster corner. This would normally be unremarkable but unfortunately the 'keeper managed to twist his knee while stretching for it. He found himself unable to walk the next day, and faces an unknown lay off. On the day however, he manfully played on – a decision which would later prove pivotal in the penalty shoot out.

Pitallis’ condition may well have contributed to Westminster scoring a few minutes later. With ten minutes remaining, and one goal down, Harrow switched to a 433 in a frantic attempt to get an equaliser. A number of chances agonisingly came and went. With two minutes to go however, Harrow got perhaps their most important goal of the season. Rolling back the years, Okoigun received the ball down the right, went past his man and delivered a cross to the far post from where Soyinka emphatically headed the ball home at point blank range. Harrow celebrated frenzily.

Once the 90 was up the referee Richard Barnard promptly blew his whistle. He and the two captains then debated whether they would be able to play extra time as the pitch had only been booked until 1pm and it was 12.53. After about 7 minutes of deliberation the sides realised that their dallying had decided the matter for them – penalties it was.

Harrow’s 5 were to be Newton, Max Curry, Ollie Curry, Taunton-Collins and Soyinka. Westminster won the toss, but bizzarely opted to go second. So up stepped Newton for the first spot kick. He hit the ball safely to the keepers left to put Harrow 1-0 up. Westminster replied with a goal of their own and Max Curry also converted. Westminster struck a decent second penalty, but the now heavily hobbling Pitallis pulled off a good save to his left to give Harrow the advantage. Ollie Curry hit the best penalty of the shoot out finishing into the top right hand corner to give Harrow a 3-1 advantage. Up stepped Pitallis once more. He dived the right way again to remarkably pull off a second save. It was now down to Taunton-Collins – if he scored Harrow were through. After a slow walk to the penalty spot in which the Westminster 'keeper very weirdly faced his own net in an unlikely attempt to play minds, the skipper placed the ball on the spot. He shaped to go left but sent it right, the keeper dived the wrong way, and Harrow were through!

The hard fought victory was made all the more satisfying by the fact Harrow had shown real grit to win a close game, an attribute that has been all too frequently lacking over the last two seasons. The side can look forward to playing Oundle in the next round on February 6th. Bring it on!

View lineup and stats here.