The encouraging nature of last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to the Old Westminsters 2s was quickly forgotten as the OHAFC 3rd XI recorded a fifth loss in six League games when suffering a 3-2 defeat away to the Old KCS Wimbledon 2s on Saturday morning down in southwest London. Despite twice coming from behind to draw level, Alvin Adefarasin scoring both Harrovian goals either side of the break, the 3s were left bemoaning what might have been once more when a fairly comical defensive lapse allowed the hosts to seal victory with a quarter of an hour remaining. Defeat ensures the 3s remain bottom of Division Four with a solitary point from six games played – they are now one of only five sides in the Arthurian League yet to record a victory this season.

Buoyed by last weekend’s result, skipper Joss Awdry was again able to name a strong squad of thirteen for the trip to KCS Sports Ground – the Old Boys thankfully no longer required to play on the mudheap of the Richardson Evans Playing Fields in Roehampton. Tom Mitchell returned in goal and there was a first 3s appearance of the season for Ed Nicholson, who was partnered by younger brother Simon at the back, with Henry Collins making up a central defensive three, Colehan and Kenderdine-Davies the wing-backs. Adebayo, Awdry and Charlie Dunn formed the midfield with Stonehill and Adefarasin charged with scoring the goals. Striker Adam Graham and midfielder Will Brounger ensured a very strong bench, with both players brought on after half an hour.

By this time, both sides had found the back of the net, the hosts starting the sharper and taking an early lead inside ten minutes when a one-two down their right wing allowed the winger to cross low and the striker applied an instinctive flick to divert the ball past Mitchell from close range. But the visitors gradually began to warm to their task and some consistent pressure in the Wimbledon half brought an equaliser for Alvin Adefarasin after twenty-five minutes. A flowing move down the Harrow left earned a throw deep inside opposition territory and when the ball was worked back from that, skipper Awdry crossed, Stonehill flicked on and Adefarasin was on hand to tap in after the keeper spilled what should have been a fairly routine claim.

The remainder of the half was a fairly even affair with both sides playing some decent football but unable to carve out any clearcut chances. And that was still the case, despite the hosts taking the lead five minutes prior to the break. It was less than half a chance, a move down the Wimbledon right that ended with a cross into the box which the striker missed completely. The danger had apparently been averted only for the left winger to suddenly arrive at the far post to arrow a superb first-time half-volley which flew into the top corner leaving Mitchell clutching at thin air.

The Blues weren’t helped in their efforts when both Tobi Adebayo and Rupert Stonehill picked up injuries either side of half-time, but the visitors improved in the second half despite the football at times still being slightly too frantic for the skipper’s liking. Nevertheless, it was still good enough to earn a second equaliser midway through the half, although it was more of a solo effort, Alvin Adefarasin scoring his, and his side’s second goal with a driving run that carried him through a couple of challenges before calmly rounding the keeper to slot home.

But as time ticked on and a hard-earned point appeared likely for both sides, a defensive mess from the visitors allowed Wimbledon to claim the victory – no fewer than four Harrovians were left sprawled on the turf, including the goalkeeper, as challenge after challenge failed to halt the hosts’ attack. The forward was ultimately left with the simple task of firing past defender Toby Colehan on the line. It proved to be the match winner, despite substitute Will Brounger then hitting the crossbar with an excellent effort late on that only stayed out after the ball struck the keeper on the way down before rolling to safety.

So ultimately this proved to be another frustrating outcome for the 3s, who played well enough against a decent Wimbledon side to offer encouragement for the future but with a solitary point from the first six games played, the only currency that now really matters is points. The next opportunity to claim some arrives in a week’s time in the first return fixture of the season – the 3s were unfortunate to lose 2-1 away to the Old Johnians on the opening weekend, by hook or by crook they must somehow find a way of reversing that scoreline back on the Hill.