The OHAFC 3rd XI fell narrowly short in their bid to crown their 2018/19 season with a second consecutive promotion in the Arthurian League. Requiring a win to leapfrog their opponents, the Old Columbans, into second place in the Division Four table, the visitors led at the break courtesy of a goal from skipper Nick Kapoor. But in a gritty, tense second half, the hosts levelled with a well-worked goal half an hour from the end of full-time and held on relatively comfortably to ensure it is they, and not the OHAFC, who join the Old Suttonians in Division Three next season.

It is cruel on the Blues, who have given their all this season only to fall agonisingly short in all three competitions they entered: the team were knocked out of both the Junior League Cup and David Woolcott Trophy on penalties to sides that have since progressed to the two finals, and in the League the vital home game against the champions was scheduled on a weekend several regulars were away, the League refusing an early request to change the date of the fixture.

For Saturday’s must-win encounter there were no such issues however, with a strong squad of twelve travelling north to the Hertfordshire University Sports Village in Hatfield, including the return from a lengthy absence of midfield supremo Charlie Bick. And a comprehensive 3-0 win over the Columbans on the Hill back in January gave the squad plenty of hope that they could overcome the final hurdle standing in their way this season.

Before kick-off the Blues spoke of their desire to take the game to the Columbans and prevent them from dictating the tempo, but in the opening exchanges the hosts proved more than capable of wrestling control of the ball, utilising the spaces well and drawing the OH press out of shape. Despite chasing shadows for much of the opening half-hour, the Blues - led energetically by a front three of Alex Smith, Ned Callander and Harry Bick - were always quick to get back into shape to make life difficult for their opponents. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the magnitude of the contest, tempers frayed in midfield from as early on as five minutes in, Tommy Faber and Charlie Bick involved in some early physical and verbal exchanges – it was no surprise when both players ended up in the referee’s notebook come the final whistle.

With two schoolboys, neither of whom had played in the previous fixture, flying down their flanks, the Columbans boasted plenty of pace and ability to cause the OH defence plenty of problems. The Barrett boys and skipper Kapoor dealt with their men well, clearing ball after ball, the latter using his years of experience to minimise the threat posed by his much younger opponent.

And having soaked up twenty minutes of Columbans’ pressure, the visitors scored with practically their first attack of the game. A free-kick was won on the left of the Columbans penalty area, Harry Bick curled the ball beyond the far post and Kapoor gambled superbly, arriving late to fire the ball in on the volley. His celebrations hinted at just how important the strike could turn out to be.

The period before the break saw the visitors compete on much more even terms, the Columbans temporarily stung by the concession of a goal against the run of play. Suddenly, the Blues began breaking on their opponents with regular threat, Charlie Bick feeding the front players to run at the Columbans defence. But chances remained at a premium, with neither goalkeeper required to make any saves of note. It was clear that there was little to separate the sides and the Blues would require maximum concentration to see out the second half safely with their lead still intact.

As it was, the lead was surrendered just ten minutes after the break courtesy of a well-worked Columbans goal that came down the Harrow right. A neat exchange of passes allowed the ball to be pulled back from the goal line and, as Harrow defenders struggled to clear, the ball was turned in from close range at the far post. Columbans’ celebrations matched the intensity of the Harrovian ones that had gone before. With just over half an hour of the season remaining, the Blues had to find a way through a stoic Columbans defence to keep their dreams of promotion alive.

It proved a harder task than could have been expected, with the tall Columban centre-halves dominating the towering Alex Smith in the air and the two full-backs coping well with the Harrow wide men. The game degenerated into a scrap, not helped by the swirling wind in Hatfield, something that aided the Columbans far more.

As in the first half, chances were at a premium, although the hosts continued to look the slightly more dangerous side in possession, with their youthful wide duo giving their best Callum Hudson Odoi/Jadon Sancho impersonations. Faber was booked for hauling one of them back on the halfway line, preventing a clear Columbans break – the howls of protest from the sidelines ensured referee Stephen Tate did not remain oblivious to the offence.

But the visitors had bigger problems, with little sign of the all-important winning goal materialising. Smith crossed from the left but the ball drifted just over the bar, Callum Barrett fired a long ball into Harry Bick’s path but he was unable to shrug off the attentions of the retreating defender and the chance was lost.

At the other end, the Columbans should have put the game to bed with two glorious opportunities, both courtesy of crosses from out wide, the first a header from a corner that cannoned back off the bar before being hacked to safety, the second, from the other side, a wicked low cross that just evaded several attackers at the far post.

Time ticked on and the Blues appeared at a loss as to how best to create that one final chance. Time and again the long punt forwards was eschewed in favour of a more considered approach, the Columbans defence remained watertight regardless. When the final whistle blew signalling the end of both sides’ seasons, it was the men in white that were celebrating, the Blues left angry and frustrated. Despite a concerted season-long effort, there would be no prize waiting for them at the end.

The final League table shows that the Blues fell three points short of the second promotion spot, with a superior goal difference to the Columbans and just one behind the champions, the Old Suttonians. Saturday’s draw in Hatfield was a creditable result and cannot be blamed for the side falling just short of their target. Dropped points to the relegated Eastbournians and 7th-placed Brentwoods 2s shed greater light on why the side will not be playing in Division Three next season, but once the dust has settled, the squad can once more look back with pride on a strong campaign and look forwards to putting things right when the League springs into action once more in early September.

Congratulations to all involved in an excellent 3rd XI season.

Thanks to Dan Firoozan for his assistance with this report, and thanks to all those who have aided with the 3s reports this season, in particular Nick Kapoor, Harry Bick & Connor Barrett