The OHAFC 2nd XI produced a doughty, dogged performance on Saturday afternoon to finally emerge 2-1 victors over the Old Berkhamstedians 2s on the astroturf in Chiswick, in the process ending the hosts' eight-match unbeaten run from the start of the season and propel themselves right back into the promotion mix in Division Three. Although the game itself was a fairly turgid affair with numerous stoppages throughout, the Blues just did enough to earn the win courtesy of goals from Miles Kellock and Andy Hutchinson either side of half-time. A late effort for the Berkhamstedians ensured the final quarter of an hour was a tense affair, but some stout defending from the OHAFC saw the visitors over the line for their first win since the end of September.

The late postponement of the OHAFC 3s fixture on Friday afternoon allowed joint-skipper Miles Kellock and Tristan David to name a full squad of fourteen for the short trip to Kings House Sports Ground on the banks of the Thames. Matthew Ede and Alvin Adefarasin both made themselves available, the latter starting at centre-forward, the former on the bench, alongside Doug Pratt – fresh from international duty with the England partially sighted team – and Percy Fricker, who was making his OHAFC debut. Otherwise the squad had a familiar look to it, Kyri Pittalis the only player asked to fulfil a slightly different role to normal as he slotted in alongside Giacomo Grasso at centre-back.

The first meeting between two of the stronger sides in Division Three on the Phil in early October proved a rather turgid affair and ended with that rarest of Arthurian League scorelines: a 0-0 draw. Unfortunately, even given the fact that this was the first time the OHAFC 2s were playing on an artificial surface this season, the football played here was, frankly, no better. A fairly even first half-hour saw pockets of decent play from both sides. The hosts began quickly, firing long balls out to their left winger with regularity that tested Geoff Taunton-Collins’ pace. Unsurprisingly, even given his veteran status, the former skipper was up to the challenge, consistently shepherding his man down to the corner flag to snuff out any threat. Several corners were won but all were defended securely. When the men in blue did manage to get the ball down and play they used the ball wisely, spreading the ball to Andres Hutchinson on the left and Tristan David on the right. But chances remained few and far between, with the spectators on the touchline denied anything even resembling goalmouth action.

The narrow 1-0 lead the visitors enjoyed at the interval was owed almost exclusively to the only noteworthy incidents in the entire half: a flowing move through the heart of the Berkhamsteds half saw several Harrovians exchanges passes, Tristan David eventually feeding Miles Kellock five yards outside the penalty area in a central location. With options on both sides, the skipper carried the ball a couple of yards forwards before planting a fine shot inside the far post, the power and placement giving the keeper no chance. But at the other end, with five minutes of the half remaining, a magnificent save from keeper Rory Craig denied the hosts an equaliser. A free-kick on the left was swung into the box and headed clear beyond the far post, but the play was kept alive, returned into the middle and from point-blank range the ball was hammered goalwards only for Craig to spread himself superbly, the ball deflecting off his leg and inches over the bar. Peter Schmeichel eat your heart out.

The skippers, with three substitutes at their disposal, continued to ring the changes from the half-hour onwards, with numerous players given a rest. Percy Fricker came on for his debut but it soon became apparent his fitness may need some work if he is to feature more regularly. But the other two replacements both made crucial appearances, Doug Pratt adding strength and steel to the back four, Matthew Ede doing likewise in midfield. Both were badly needed as the second half descended into a real slog: the Berkhamstedians play more long balls than perhaps any other side in the division and the Harrow back four was never granted more than momentary respite. It was pleasing, however, that regardless of personnel, the defensive shape of the side remained solid throughout and the hosts grew increasingly frustrated as attack after attack petered out.

At the other end, the visitors were guilty of taking too many touches on the ball at times, but, once more, just one quick move proved sufficient to prise open the Berkhamsteds back four, Tristan David this time collecting the ball on the edge of the box and forcing the keeper into a low save to his right. The ball was palmed away from goal but Andy Hutchinson reacted quickest, sprinting to his right and managing to turn the ball back in from a fairly acute angle.

The game entered the final twenty minute and the visitors had perhaps just started to glimpse three valuable points on the horizon when a momentary lapse allowed their opponents back into the game. Yet another long ball was fired into the harrow penalty area and some rather slack marking allowed the smallest of the forwards a free header from eight yards out, Craig this time exposed at the far post and unable to make the save.

With the sides now separated by just a single goal, the final twenty minutes went on for what seemed like an hour with numerous stoppages, lengthy interventions from the referee and some rather tedious verbals from both sides. The football was almost non-existent with the hosts lumping the ball forwards at every opportunity, the visitors defending for their lives, content to hammer the ball clear. Both sides had late chances to sway the final result with the referee involved at either end. A long ball from midfield sent Alvin Adefarasin racing clear down the inside left channel. He got to the ball just ahead of the Berkhamsteds keeper, who clipped him, sending the forward tumbling to the turf. After a considerable delay, the keeper was given a yellow but the free-kick, a yard outside the box came to nothing and the hosts escaped. Meanwhile, at the other end it was the hosts turn to feel aggrieved as they were awarded an indirect free-kick two yards inside the penalty area for a high boot. Referee Kevin Coxe was certain of his decision, however, and once again the chance came to nothing, the Harrow wall managing the block the initial shot before the ball was hammered clear. A late and, frankly, ridiculous appeal for handball inside the Harrow box was waved away and the Blues had done enough to secure a valuable win.

This certainly wasn’t a pretty performance from the men in blue, but there can be no exaggerating the discipline and determination to get the job done. A rocky run of one point and fourteen goals conceded in three games has now been followed with four points and just two goals conceded from the next two fixtures – results that have fired the 2s right back into the promotion race. The Blues now have three consecutive home games to come and the opportunity to put themselves into a strong position going into the Christmas and New Year break.