The OHAFC 3rd XI earned their first point of the season on Saturday courtesy of a late goal from skipper Joss Awdry that saw the Blues claim a 2-2 draw at home to the Old Westminsters 2s. Alvin Adefarasin had given the hosts the lead but the visitors scored twice to pile the pressure on the hosts. But the skipper's late goal ensures the 3s are finally off the mark for the season even if the side remain rooted to the foot of the Division Four table.

On a cloudy morning on the Hill, the visitors made the brighter start, doubtless buoyed by their 4-1 win over the Old Johnians 2s the week before. The Westminsters right winger proved a particular threat and left-back Alex Kenderdine-Davies had to be at his best to counter the threat, although the forward still managed to deliver a couple of decent crosses into the Harrow box. Keeper Alex Fraysee remained well protected, a couple of long-range efforts flying harmlessly wide.

The hosts took a while to grow into the game but this time it was a left winger who provided the main threat, Alfie Hayes showing his class with some direct running at the petrified Westminsters right-back. Striker Alvin Adefarasin was using his power to good effect, holding up the ball well and trying to feed wide men Hayes and debutant Tlash Seriki whenever possible. It was little surprise that when the opening goal arrived on the half-hour, it was Hayes and Adefarasin involved: the winger embarked on another mazy run down the left, cut inside and beat his man before a fortunate ricochet fell perfectly into the path for Adefarasin who fired in from twelve yards out.

The goal should have spurred the hosts on given that they were now the more dangerous side but the visitors turned the game on its head with a spectacular five minutes before the interval. First, a stunning overhead kick levelled the scores, the right winger clipping in a cross and the striker acrobatically manoeuvring himself into position to score with a piece of skill rarely seen in an Arthurian League encounter. Four minutes later, on the stroke of half-time, the comeback was complete, a quick break saw the pink shirts pour forwards in numbers and a cut back from the goal line was finished from close range.

Skipper Joss Awdry, with a full bench to utilise, rang the changes with Colehan, Baoku and McMahon all coming on, debutant Seriki one of five players to make way during the course of the second half. The fresh legs provided fresh impetus to the men in blue and they proved the better side for the majority of the second period, without ever creating any chances of note. The game developed into a bit of a battle, the hosts perhaps guilty of losing patience too often and hoping Adefarasin and Hayes would work some magic from one of many long balls delivered over the top.

But thankfully, with twenty minutes remaining, the hosts found the moment of magic they were searching for, Dunn’s cross from the right flicked on at the near post and skipper Joss Awdry timed his run into the box to perfection, connecting sweetly on the volley to fire in. The visitors responded with a late surge of their own, forcing keeper Fraysse into a couple of fine saves in order to preserve the draw, but the Blues held on to finally register their first point of the season. Whilst they remain rooted to the foot of the table, this encouraging performance should stand the side in good stead ahead of next weekend’s trip to south London to face KCS Wimbledon’s second string.