A sliver of veteran magic, a couple of slices of luck and a whole heap of grit and determination was the recipe for success for the OHAFC 2nd XI on Saturday afternoon, as they produced comfortably their best performance of the season to earn a 1-0 win over an excellent Old Westminsters 1st XI and as a result climb out of the Division Two relegation places.

Despite having not played for seven weeks, Geoff Taunton-Collins’ men showed remarkable resilience in a second-half played almost exclusively inside the Harrow half. The Blues hung on to their slender lead, earned just prior to the break thanks to David Lederman’s individual effort, through a combination of excellent defending and goalkeeping, some poor Westminster finishing and, for possibly the first time this season, Lady Luck siding with the Blues.

Having been beaten heavily twice on astroturf in east London by Saturday's opponents within the past twelve months there was no doubting the magnitude of the challenge facing the OHAFC. Fortunately, help was at hand in the timely return to action of 2s stalwart Max Curry, who had spent the first half of the season in Australia, working, watching cricket and growing plenty of facial hair. When asked as to the state of his fitness, a rather worrying growl was emitted. Nevertheless, a strong squad of twelve was available, although Gbeminiyi Soyinka was still only fit enough to play the last half-hour.

Conditions on the Hill were once again tricky, with a strong breeze blowing directly towards the goal at the Pavilion end and drizzle falling throughout. As has become the norm in recent games, a plethora of leggings were on display from the hosts with, again as usual, the visitors proving it was a curiously Harrovian fetish to pack extra lycra on game days.

Playing with the wind in the first half, the hosts enjoyed the better of things, pinning Westminsters back for long spells thanks to the endeavours of the midfield quintet and lone striker Jack Alhadeff. Okoigun and Payne, on the right and left wings respectively, were both heavily involved, closing down the full-backs and looking to bomb forwards whenever the opportunity arose. Both men looked threatening without ever being able to create a clearcut chance for themselves or a teammate.

In the middle, Max Curry quickly showed what the side has been missing in his absence with a strong, physical opening, winning plenty of ball on the ground and in the air. He also came closest to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour with a magnificent effort, swivelling on the ball forty yards from goal and cracking a half-volley that beat the ‘keeper but crashed squarely into the crossbar before rebounding back into play. It would have been some way to have announced his return to OHAFC duty.

Morrison and Lederman did their best to make use of possession and Alhadeff was his usual spritely self up front, flitting hither and thither like a rather annoying fly, although the side was undoubtedly guilty at times of panicking with the ball and rushing passes that didn’t need to be rushed. The result was a general sense of Harrow being the better team without ever really troubling the Westminster goal.

The other notable aspect of the half was the increasing frustration of the visitors with referee Temitope Shabi, who, in their opinion, had given a number of contentious decisions in Harrow’s favour. Soon every decision was being appealed and challenged from every corner of the pitch as Westminster’s heckles rose. Clearly they were in for a tougher afternoon than the earlier fixture between the sides had suggested.

With the back four of Beresford, Woolley, Taunton-Collins and Hovey looking resolute, a goalless first half looked almost certain until, with the clock ticking round to forty-five minutes, Harrow launched one last attack down their left. The ball was played forwards into the box looking for Payne but a scuffed clearance landed at Lederman’s feet on the edge of the area. The 43 year-old, who had been content to play in a mainly defensive role up to that point, danced round two men before cutting a low shot back on goal with his left foot. The ball nicked off a third defender’s boot and flew just inside the near post, the ‘keeper unable to react in time. Once the celebrations had subsided and both teams had recovered their starting positions, referee Shabi blew for half-time.

With Soyinka only able to play the final half-hour on account of his troublesome knee injury, there were no changes to be made at the break, skipper Taunton-Collins merely emphasising the importance the next forty-five minutes held for the remainder of the OHAFC season.

Now playing into a strong breeze, it wasn’t long before the hosts found themselves pinned back in their half under a constant wave of Westminsters pressure. Within five minutes of the restart, an opposition player had already issued the cry of ‘come on lads, they’re here for the taking.’ Whether or not that was true was up in the air, sadly in contrast to a number of goal kicks taken by a variety of OHAFC players, which barely managed to rise off the turf, the ball boomeranging back towards Harrow’s goal and causing mild palpitations throughout the back four.

It was obvious that to survive with the lead intact, a disciplined, concentrated defensive effort would be required from all twelve players, as well as some strong hold-up play from the forwards. The first part was achieved well, with, for the most part, Westminsters forced wide or to shoot from long-range. There were several scares along the way however: Pittalis made several excellent blocks, one particular save diving to his left was notable; Woolley produced a magnificent last-ditch tackle to foil a free shot on goal after Harrow’s back four had, for once, been caught too high up the pitch; and perhaps the biggest let off of all came courtesy of a Westminster player, who turned inside the box to free himself some space, only to fire inches wide of the post just six yards out.

As the half wore on the visitors became increasingly desperate and Harrow had chances themselves to ease the tension courtesy of a second goal. Soyinka, who had replaced Will Payne on the hour-mark, was soon barrelling his way through in typical fashion, only to then sky his shot over the bar in very untypical fashion. He was then unlucky to flick a header just wide after Lederman had picked him out with an excellent cross.

With less than ten minutes remaining Harrow finally enjoyed a slice of luck that has all too often been the province of the opposition this season when the Westminster left winger, an excellent player, rifled a shot across goal from twenty-five yards out. Pittalis had no chance, but the ball smashed into the foot of the post, rolled along the goal line and was eventually cleared.

Referee Shabi signalled two minutes remaining and Harrovian minds focussed on playing the ball deep into enemy territory. One more Westminster attack was halted and questions asked as to how the game was not over. Four additional minutes of stoppage time were to be played. Quite why, no-one was sure. There had been no injuries and limited substitutions, but on the game went, the second half apparently lasting close to an hour in Harrow minds. Finally, and fittingly with the ball on the edge of the Harrow box, the whistle blew and the hosts could celebrate an unlikely but well-deserved win.

All twelve players put in an immense effort, especially in the second half, and to keep a clean sheet against a side of Westminster’s calibre is no mean feat – this is the same Westminster side who took the OHAFC 1st XI to extra-time in the Dunn Cup a couple of seasons ago. The hard work is only just beginning however, with five more League games to play, four of them away from home, as well as the Junior League Cup assault. Saturday’s win should give the side confidence going forwards and the knowledge that they are capable of competing with nearly any team in the division.