A superb curling effort from Ollie Curry midway through the second half saw the OHAFC 2nd XI continue their upwards trajectory with a second consecutive 2-1 home win against KCS Wimbledon – the teams have now swapped 2-1 wins since Harrow’s ascent into Division Two last season with home advantage proving, up to this point, decisive. As was the case in last week’s win over Merchant Taylors, Geoff Taunton-Collins’ men were not at their best, but this week they exerted far greater control over proceedings, with goalkeeper Kyri Pittalis barely required during the ninety minutes.

Strong availability meant that the hosts lined up with a physically-imposing side with Fred Milln now recovered from the groin strain picked up in his only appearance so far this season, both Curry brothers, Alexi Pittalis and Pablo Hutchinson. This was just as well, as Wimbledon’s warm-up revealed a side containing considerable height throughout, seemingly a usual characteristic of this particular opponent.

What was slightly more unusual, however, was the sudden arrival of a TV cameraman pitchside just prior to kick-off. Although it was an international week, the idea that Sky or BT had resorted to covering an Arthurian League Division Two fixture to fill the gaps in their schedule was just too unbelievable to be true. In fact, it was the father of one of the younger KCS players who was hoping to impress sufficiently to earn a scholarship in the States.

A bright, low sun shone from the southern end of the Phil pitches and remained in place throughout the game, in the first half hindering the visitors. The opening twenty minutes provided little by way of excitement with the usual fervent endeavour but very little quality on show. In fact, just about the only talking point occurred barely five minutes in when a robust challenge from the returning Milln felled the young American hopeful just outside the Harrow box. Unfortunately, although the ball was taken cleanly, Milln’s trailing leg caught the youngster forcing him off the field. Referee Tini Kaja produced a yellow card, claiming that it had been reckless, a decision which provoked heated discussion for several minutes.

Once the dust had settled, it was the hosts who caused the first problems. Taunton-Collins and Hutchinson, interchanging their positions up front, forced several wayward clearances from the hurried KCS defence and gradually the Blues found themselves camped in the Wimbledon half. The first clear chance nearly resulted in a superb goal, Max Curry finding Lederman down the right and he delivered a peach of a cross which Hutchinson, charging forwards through the middle, met with a diving header, the keeper somehow managing to scramble the ball to safety.

But moments later the breakthrough did arrive and in similar circumstances. Tom Ward’s quick throw on the right found Max Curry who took a touch to control before volleying the ball into the box. Initially it looked more of a hopeful punt, but Alexi Pittalis gambled superbly, timing his run perfectly to get in behind the static back four and head home from barely six yards out.

The game remained scrappy and neither keeper was troubled unduly before a late surge by the visitors just prior to the break nearly produced a wonderful equaliser. KCS broke upfield quickly, switching the play from left to right. A deep cross to the edge of the box was met first-time by a flying volley, beautifully controlled on the run. Pittalis could only stand and watch as the ball curled inches past his far post.

The relief at that escape a minute before half-time was instantly forgotten a minute after the break as Harry Woolley conceded what can only be described as a ridiculously harsh penalty for handball. The ball bounced loose on the edge of the box and the striker fired on goal. Woolley instinctively put his hands up to protect himself as the ball cannoned into him from barely two yards away. Referee Kaja pointed to the spot and Pittalis was sent the wrong way – the second harsh penalty decision the Blues have conceded in consecutive games.

With the game now in the balance, the visitors enjoyed the better of things, moving the ball with a quickness and efficiency the Blues could not match. Despite this, and in contrast to Merchant Taylors the week before, KCS rarely carried a threat, with the Harrow back four able to comfortably deal with everything bar the low sun, which continued to prove troublesome as the visitors fired a number of long balls forwards.

A goal for either side looked unlikely but a moment of magic from Ollie Curry settled things. Hutchinson played the ball out to the left and Curry initially struggled to control. But as defenders closed in, the forward looked up and produced a sublime chip that curled over the keeper and into the far top corner.

Harrow faced another anxious wait before the win was confirmed, but the closing stages were dominated by stoppages, with referee Kaja constantly forced to intervene. Monroe received a nasty blow on the ankle that saw him temporarily depart, but with Pablo Hutchinson bizarrely having to dial into a conference call at precisely 1pm, Monroe was soon back in action. Woolley was felled on several occasions, seemingly a different part of his body requiring attention each time – although Milln liberally spraying Deep Heat into his eyes did nothing to aid matters. Fortunately, Dolbey’s arrival off the bench saw him tear around the midfield like a rabid dog, Lederman christening the youngster ‘The Pitbull’ after the game.

The game petered out with clear-cut chances few and far between, the OHAFC once more showing the requisite grit and organisation to claim another valuable three points in what is shaping up to be a very even Division Two – just three points separate the OHAFC from Westminsters, who sit second in the table, with leaders the Etonians having already been vanquished this season.

Next week sees what should be, on paper, one of the side’s easiest fixtures of the season with a trip to Kingston to face Lancing 2s. Lancing are clearly struggling as a club, with both their 1st and 2nd XI’s bottom of their respective divisions. The OHAFC need to take full advantage to continue their good work of the previous two weeks.