Regardless of the outcome, the result of this clash would be of great significance to the top of the Division One table – in this league ‘the top of the table’ comfortably incorporates nine of the ten teams competing, thanks to just seven points separating 2nd and 9th. Before the game, the OHs knew that wins are all that will secure promotion. Sides only just beneath them have games in hand but their success is reliant on how the OHAFC perform in their final three games. After Saturday’s game against Cholms, the race to join the Old Alleynians in the Premier Division next season is still wide open.

The grown men the OHs like to think they are were momentarily jolted back into boyhood on Saturday 16th March when they arrived on the eastern side of the Hill, the Phil pitches having already been turned over to preparations for the cricket season. A rutted, boggy Ducker 1 smacked of a schoolboy Monday afternoon between Maths and D.T., with its craterous aspect and vicious crosswind. Any hopes of emulating the liquid football of the last month were instantly dashed, and both sides resorted to lumping balls over the other’s back four in a disappointingly attritional contest given what was at stake. The encounter opened with ten frustrating minutes, before the Cholmeleian right-back produced a feeble cross towards the OH front post – a series of bobbles took it over some shins and ankles to a striker in the six-yard box who was afforded the simple task of tapping in.

Heads did not drop and the Blues’ application intensified. A few half-chances fell to James Breeden and Dan Firoozan in and around the Cholms penalty area, while Doug Morrison continued to hold the ball up and facilitate attacking progression up the pitch. The forecast galeforce winds shepherded play to one side of the pitch for long spells and the consequent desire to clear defensive lines meant that the midfield were often bypassed in a shoddy display of football. Nevertheless, Jack Hill and Chester Robinson continued to break up Cholmeleian advances at every opportunity and launch the hosts forwards in search of the equaliser. Despite some sustained OH attacking pressure, the visitors doubled their lead against the run of play, another Cholms striker pouncing upon a well-placed through-ball to fire past Fraser McGuinness.

Once more, the reaction was pleasingly determined from the OHs and five minutes before the break they earned their reward courtesy of a huge slice of luck. A good ball over the top from Alex Breeden began a counter-attack up the right-hand side. The ball was worked infield to the feet of James Breeden before a recovering Cholms defender flew in and managed to place a very deft finish into the bottom right corner of his own net from about twenty yards out. A collective sigh of relief ensued, the game very much back in the balance as the sides went in for half-time.

Both sides were well aware that the next goal could prove vital and tension levels rose as the visitors pressed for a third. Some staunch defending across the back four repelled the Cholms attackers time and again. Time appeared to be against the Blues as the clock ticked down to less than five minutes to play.

But one final piece of magic from leading scorer James Breeden rewarded the hosts for their endeavours with a late, late equaliser: twisting and turning inside the box, he looked to have been shut out but somehow found a way through several challenges before pulling the ball back across goal. Older brother Alex timed his run in from the opposite wing to perfection and pounced to turn the ball home, the Cholms keeper grasping forlornly at the cross.

By no means was this a pretty display, but the character of this OHAFC side is a real hallmark of their season’s latter half. Aided by better conditions, hopefully they can build upon that discipline and application in the final two games and secure second place with wins against Lancing next week and in the return fixture at Cholms at the end of April.

*Many thanks to Dan Firoozan for this excellent report & Harry Hoffen for the match photos