A bare eleven players turned out on the Hill for the OHAFC 1s on Saturday for the crunch clash with the Old Radleians – recently promoted from Division Two and adapting soundly to life back in Division One with three wins from their first four matches. With the fixture falling on the same day as former vice-captain Fred Richardson’s wedding, a number of players were absent, as well as skipper Yunus Sert, missing his second consecutive game due to a prolonged return to his native Turkey.

These absences yielded an opportunity for a 1s debut for young winger Oliver Acar, who had impressed in a cameo appearance for the 2s the week before, and a return to the squad for goalkeeper Fraser McGuinness for his first appearance of the season. A makeshift defence saw captain Alex Breeden partner Hugo Trower in the middle, with Ade Omisore asked to play in a very unfamiliar right-back role. There was better news in the forward positions however, with Doug Morrison’s hamstring having passed a late fitness test and Alex Gilbert returning to partner James Breeden and Mike Okoigun in attack.

Unlike the previous week’s defeat to Repton, conditions on the Hill were excellent, with warm autumnal sunshine and slight breeze blowing the length of the pitch. The hosts won the toss and elected to play the first half into the wind and sunshine, although, ridiculously, Doug Morrison left his shinpads in the changing rooms, so Harrow actually began the game with ten men, referee Julian Courtenay refusing to delay the off.

The Blues started the game well, stretching Radley with excellent wide play from James Breeden and Alex Gilbert, well supported by the midfield trio of Hill, Morrison and Acar. Okoigun was leading the line extremely effectively, holding up play and winning everything in the air. Radley countered well, throwing men forward on the break and they came within inches of opening the scoring after twenty-five minutes when a left-foot shot beat McGuinness but not the far post.

But it was the hosts who found the breakthrough a few minutes later with an excellent goal that was started and finished by the debutant Acar. He collected the ball on the halfway line and freed James Breeden on the left. The Radley right back was left for dead as Harrow’s leading scorer got to the goal line and squared for a simple tap in for Acar, who had motored forwards from midfield.

Radley pressed for an equaliser late in the half, looking especially dangerous at corners with the swirling wind making life awkward for the Harrow rearguard. Hamish MacIntyre made one vital clearance off the line to preserve Harrow’s lead, although McGuinness looked to have it covered.

The hosts went into half-time having played the better football in the trickier conditions and were confident of maintaining their lead heading into the second half, especially with Radley having swapped goalkeepers, one of the centre halves now donning the gloves – never a good sign for any team.

Sure enough, the OHAFC started the second half on the front foot, encouraged to shoot from range at the replacement keeper, who was clearly uncomfortable in his new role. It took ten minutes for Harrow’s second to arrive, joint leading scorer James Breeden shooting early and low into the corner following a sharp turn inside the box.

Any thoughts of a comfortable win were quickly dispelled however when Radley hit back almost immediately. A counter-attack down Harrow’s right flank saw the left-back deliver a ball into the front post catching McGuinness in no-man’s land. Cruelly, the striker was able to flick the ball just inside the near post and the game was back in the balance once more.

The hosts stepped up their efforts, knowing that only a win would suffice in maintaining their promotion hopes following last weekend’s disappointing loss to Repton. It took until the 80th minute for their efforts to be rewarded however and once more it was Oliver Acar to the rescue, scoring a vital third to give the OHAFC breathing space – although there was more than a hint of good fortune about the goal, coming as it did directly from a corner. Acar’s delivery sailed on the wind towards the back post and into the far corner through the flapping arms of the keeper. Harrow’s delight at scoring offering little to stem the unfortunate player’s embarrassment.

There was still time for further drama however, as the Radleians, to their great credit, didn’t allow their heads to drop and they surged forwards in search of a second. An attack down Harrow’s left flank developed that saw an attacker break into the box and cross low and hard across the goal allowing a close-range finish at the far post. Harrow’s appeals for offside fell on deaf ears.

A frantic final few minutes saw Radleians pump several balls into the Harrow box but the hosts stood firm and managed to hold on for a deserved, if slightly fortunate victory. Given the lack of availability – an enduring issue for this squad of players that needs addressing urgently – it was an excellent result, typified by the courage shown by Doug Morrison, whose hamstring again let him down midway through the first half, but he battled on to ensure Harrow retained eleven players on the field.

It was a memorable first team debut for goalscorers Oliver Acar, who showed that his cameo for the 2s the week before was no flash in the pan performance. He offers genuine pace and ability on the ball and could be an excellent addition to a threadbare squad.

The win lifts the Blues back to the top of Division One on goal difference with both Reptonians and Marlburians also registering nine points from their first four games – the latter are the next visitors to the Hill this coming Saturday and with just three points separating the top seven in the table, there is little room for error.

*Many thanks to Fraser McGuinness for his help with this match report