Stunning late goals seal fourth consecutive win for flying 3s

Old Harrovians 3rd XI
3 : 1
Old Shirburnians 1st XI
  • October 28th 2017, Philathletic Ground, 2pm
  • Division 5 (South)
  • Referee: Temitope Shabi
  • Weather: Cloudy
  • Pitch: Excellent
No. Starting XI Goals Yellow & Red Cards Subs On/Off
1 Chuka Ilogu 10'
2 Ludo Callander
3 Connor Barrett
4 Kyle Barrett
5 Hussein Janmo
6 Harry Bick
7 Nick Kapoor (c) 65'
8 Charlie Bick 15', 85'
9 Tom Faber 45'
10 Ned Callander 87' 75'
11 Oli Walker
Substitutes
12 Cyprian Owen Edmunds 10'
13 Olly Roberts 45'
14 Oscar Gairard 50'

The OHAFC 3rd XI produced a stirring finale on Saturday to score twice in the closing five minutes to beat the Old Shirburnians 3-1 and in the process climb above their opponents into second in Division Five South - the side's highest League placing at this stage of the season since it's reformation in 2012.

The victory, the team's fourth in a row since an opening day 6-0 mauling at the hands of Malvernian 2s, was earned in spectacular circumstances with Charlie Bick, who had already opened the scoring in the first half, and Ned Callander both blasting home long-range efforts with the sides level at 1-1 and time running out.

The hosts had started the game in fine fashion, dominating the first half and taking the lead after a quarter of an hour when Bick fired into the bottom corner from just outside the box.

Harrow continued to dominate the Shirburnians and a repeat of the 3-0 away victory in September looked on the cards. But opportunities were created and spurned and Bick's goal was the only difference between the sides at the break.

Shirburnians took advantage of Harrow's wastefulness and started the second half the better team. They equalised on the hour mark and at that stage any result looked possible.

But to Harrow's credit they regained their composure and slowly began to turn the tide in their favour. Play was soon concentrated in the Shirburnian half, with sporadic counter-attacks the visitors' sole hope of grabbing a second.

Harrow continued to toil in pursuit of the winner and as the clock ran down to the final five minutes it appeared as they would have to settle for just a point.

But Charlie Bick had other ideas. A free-kick some 35 yards out hinted at danger, but the diminutive forward stepped up to smash the ball straight in, the swerve and bend proving far too much for the Shirburnian keeper to handle.

The goal ignited the Blues and moments later Ned Callander sealed the win with a solo effort, pressurising the back four into an error, allowing him to nick the ball, run in on goal and fire home into the top left-hand corner. Understandably the side went berserk, their fourth consecutive League win now assured.

Things don't get any easier however. Having overcome side sitting second last week, the team now have to raise their game once more with a trip to leaders Ampleforth next week. A fifth consecutive win would see the Blues sitting level with their opponents on top of the division.