Despite a solid effort, the OHAFC 3rd XI fell to a narrow but deserved 2-1 defeat away to Division Four leaders the Old Tonbridgians 2s on Saturday morning, temporarily, at least, prolonging relegation concerns a little while longer. A tight first half down in Kent saw chances hard to come by for both sides, Harrow keeper Tom Mitchell making a couple of decent saves to keep the home side at bay. But the Tonbridgians, strong favourites to wrap up the title in the next couple of weeks, scored early in the second half and a second fifteen minutes later killed the game off. Tobi Adebayo scored a late consolation for the visitors who sit one place outside the bottom two with two games left to play.

With a strong initial squad of fourteen named, skipper Joss Awdry was confident that a surprise result could yet be secured, the Tonbridgians having dropped points in just three of their twelve League fixtures to date. But several late drop outs meant that in the end only twelve players travelled, Alex Slater a useful late addition and named as the lone substitute – skipper Awdry still unable to play owing to his troublesome knee injury.

Conditions at the School were good with a decent pitch and bright sunshine greeting the players on arrival. The first half proved a tight affair with the visitors rather sloppy in possession - a combination of taking too many touches and some wayward passing ensuring the hosts’ goal was rarely threatened. The Tonbridgians moved the ball well but came up against a resolute Harrovian back four, Wilson, Si Nicholson, Collins and Brounger repelling most of the attacks launched and protecting Tom Mitchall in the Harrow goal. He was called upon to make a couple of smart saves however, an early low cross from the right was turned towards goal by the striker but well blocked, another shot parried at full stretch. But on the balance of play it was little surprise that the half ended goalless and with minimal incident.

Skipper Awdry urged his men to take more care of the ball in the second half, to quicken the pace of their play and move it with more accuracy across the pitch. Disappointingly, however, it was the home side who improved more after the interval, taking the lead just ten minutes into the half when a cross from the right was headed just beyond the reach of Mitchell. Fifteen minutes later the lead was doubled in slightly unfortunate circumstances when a long ball rebounded off a couple of challenging players and fell perfectly into the path of the striker who ran clean through on goal and chipped Mitchell with an impudent effort.

The visitors responded and forced a couple of good chances of their own, both falling to wide man Alfie Hayes, but he couldn’t make them count. A couple of quick one-twos with Kenderdine-Davies and Stewart saw him played in on goal but the shot was too straight and allowed the keeper to block. Five minutes later a tougher chance presented itself from a narrower angle, this time the effort flying wide of goal. By the time the visitors did find the breakthrough only two minutes remained and the result was beyond doubt, Tobi Adebayo tapping in from close range after Ed Stewart’s initial shot had been parried.

The Blues have two games remaining, both against bottom side the Old King’s Scholars, but must wait to discover exactly when – and if – those fixtures will be played. With Johnians 2s also losing on Saturday, the OHAFC 3s have a six-point cushion to the drop zone and one more win should be enough to guarantee salvation.