The OHAFC 2nd XI enjoyed a good 2014/15 season in Orr-Ewing’s second and final year as captain. Having struggled to fulfil their fixtures at the tail end of a disappointing 2013/14 campaign, there was no such disinterest this time around. They finished 6th in Div 3 with 23 points from 18 games, well clear of the relegation zone. There was also some success in the JLC, with the squad battling to a well earned semi final spot, falling 3-1 in a hard fought loss to Charterhouse. As the team is about its people more than its results, this season review will focus on those that made the season such an enriching and pleasant journey.

Places in the starting XI were hotly contested by a stable and talented squad, which blended youthful freshness with wizened experience. In truth, with the talent available to Orr-Ewing, the 2s should have had a more successful season in division 3, having been challenging for promotion until the final 4 games of the season. But for some lacklustre performances at the end of a long season, where perhaps the desire and the necessity to win had been ceded along with the title, the 2s would have finished in a more respectable league position.

In goal, the season started with the familiar figure of Alasdair Pritchard, reluctantly and dutifully doing his bit between stints by relative newcomer Chaz McHardy. Some early clean sheets and one particularly comical flappy handed moment from Mchardy contributed to a positive first half of the season in the traditionally difficult place to fill. It was therefore with some trepidation and a heavy heart that Orr-Ewing accepted the resignation of Pritchard in January, the veteran calling time on his career after five years and 66 appearances to focus on his off-pitch responsibilities. Farewell, old friend. Further consternation was caused by the announcement over Christmas that Chaz Mchardy had damaged his knee, and ruled himself out for a number of weeks; at the time we were not to know that Chaz’s recovery would preclude him from taking further part in the season, and we wish him well over the summer and hope he’ll be fit for the start of next year. It was a stroke of luck, or perhaps a grim realisation from Orr-Ewing and his senior team players that the goalkeeping duties would eventually fall on them, that Kyri Pittalis was unearthed, with the former Durham University stopper making his debut the very week that Pritchard bowed out. A welcome addition to the set-up, Kyri became a valued member of the squad both on and off the pitch, and will provide very strong competition for the #1 jersey with Mchardy, Walsh, Mcguinnes, Fox, Griffiths and Gallagher all likely to be available next season.

The defence had a similarly familiar feel as the season kicked off, with Orr-Ewing and Maydon forming the most frequent centre back pairing, while Chopra and Robinson continued their work from the previous seasons. However, there were some new faces in defence through the season that added some variety and a look into the future of this team, who all contributed in their own way. Conti v Hirsch threatened to become a regular starter at the heart of the team, but faded away as the weather turned, taking an extended winter break that lasted from early November through to start of April, a full 4 months longer than those seen in the Bundesliga in his native Unterland. Theo Gordon also stepped up from his longstanding devotion to the 3s squad, being deemed to look too old to play for the youngest OH squad and having earned a place in the 2s. His performances in the early season justified his step up, as he manfully dealt with opposition forwards of varying size and skill, flik flakking from a po-faced, twitchy centre back to a marauding right wing back with minimal fuss or cajoling of his captain. A “good Christmas” put Gordon slightly below his physical and technical best for a brief spell in early 2015, with the defender recording an historical dick-of-the-season melange of gaffs that won him a booby prize several months later, with his “4 goals in 4 touches” feast of failure getting voted for as “most dyspraxic moment” by players not even present on the day. This moment aside, Gordon was a valuable player, turning up on 14 occasions for the squad, and filling the illustrious boots of veteran full back Chopra as the former skipper was less available in the second half of the year. It remains to be seen whether Chopra will return next year, but with other notable departures in the back 4, his role in steadying the ship may be a vital one.

Orr-Ewing and Maydon had solid seasons at centre back, making limited errors and continuing to favour a more possession based style than they were known for in their early OH 2s careers. Orr-Ewing signed off with 3 goals, while Maydon maintained his remarkable record of scoring 0 goals in his 67 games for the club. Along with Pritchard, Maydon will step down from OH 2s football next season, with the joyous news of a another Maydon child being brought into the world, expected in November 2015, requiring Simon to spend more time with his family. Again he’ll be greatly missed both as a friend and as an uncompromising centre back. Orr-Ewing has a 1 year break while he completes his MBA in Singapore and Paris, but will report for duty in the pre-season of the 2016/17 season.

At left back, Jack Robinson flew back from a prelonged pre-season in Australia to take back his position from Jorel Bajwa / Alex Elwell, who had deputised with admirable skill. His consistency as a player and a person can only be matched by Phil Berry, the only other player who plays exactly as well in every game they play at whatever standard. However, with no goals, no assists and no MOM performances from Robinson, he’ll be looking to add more bite and delivery to his game next season if he stands any chance of a better PLT finish. Edmund Massey, subordinate to Robinson at their accountancy practice, was more than equal to him on the pitch, storming into the selectors’ eye-line after Christmas and nailing down the right back slot. The “posh James Milner” is versatile and possesses a good engine, only letting his team down on one occasion where his “creased shirt and loafers” match-day attire should have alerted his skipper to his less-than-professional pre-match prep. Nonetheless, with a solid 2nd place in the “Best Newcomer” prize, the 2s can look forward to a long and prosperous OH career for Edmund Massey.

Orr-Ewing opted for an attacking 4-3-3 formation for most of the season, relying on a combination of Kerry, Jaguar Bajwa, George Pratt and Pom Beeley to fill the two more defensive central midfield roles, with support from Callander, Page and newcomer Newton for a couple of games. Kerry continued his good form for the 2s with a strong season, ratcheting up the Club Golden boot award for his 9 goals (7 for the 2s) in 12 games and being voted as the season’s 2nd best player in the Players’ Player of the Year award. Pratt’s availability continues to worry everyone at the Club. His few performances were all of exemplary quality, crowning a stop-start season with a fine goal-and-assist combination away at Millfield to earn himself a man-of-the-match award and many shouts for “best-tekkers” nominations. Jaguar Bajwa was torn between the 1s and 2s, and consequently was robbed of a weekly rhythm in either squad – the undoubtedly talented and oftentimes unexpectedly weird long-man will want to clear up his long-term future at the club over the summer months with the 1s and 2s skippers to avoid a repeat of the same frustrating pattern next year. In the circumstances, Jaguar turned in some excellent performances both at centre back and centre mid, scoring a vital goal in one of the 5 appearances to win the team 3 points. Similarly, Pom Beeley was split between 2s and 3s duty, but performed admirably when called upon. His ability to press as a pair, and his oh-la-la occasional flair make him a reliable and exciting prospect for next season, and should expect plenty of opportunity to cement a full time role. Page and Callander debuted for the 2s against the school, having been caught by Orr-Ewing and Khan in a nightclub in the early hours of the previous night. Their performance, clattering with all the dexterity of an abusive alcoholic father into the schoolboys to effectively win the game for the 2s and inflict the only defeat of the season on the boys, earned them a number of starts in the latter half of the season. Enthusiastic lovers of the beautiful game, the trio of Page, Callander and Beeley were immeasurably helpful to the 2s in times of need, and speak volumes for the quality and depth of the squad as a whole.

The formation allowed for one “luxury player” in the line-up, more often than not filled by the much improved Azhar Khan. Initially picked to the groans of a number of players “in the hole”, Khan showed he was more than capable of playing in such an important position for the 2s. Fulfilling a staggering 19 fixtures over the season and contributing 5 goals and a number of assists, Khan was disturbingly referred to as “that amazing Asian guy” by the OKW’s skipper. Aside from this dubious accolade, Khan was recognised for contributing more than undecipherable in-play calling and some amusing entries in the match reports when he won the “Most Improved” award at the end of the season. He was also deservedly nominated as Vice Captain, and will provide a steady stream of ungrounded exhortations and confusing PowerPoints to in-bound skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins, whether requested or not.

Up front, the phrase embarrassment of riches was often unimaginatively used in the match reports, as Orr-Ewing was often left with 4 or 5 high quality players to fit into the 2 wide-men and lone striker positions. Newcomer and all round thoroughly nice chap Taunton-Collins burst onto the scene in September, having spent the intervening 8 years since leaving school working out and manoeuvring himself into Cameron’s trusted inner sanctum in the Tory party. Having dived in the festiphil to cause his skipper to concede his only penalty of the season, “Super Geoff” came off the bench on his first full debut to score within 6 minutes. The fact that he failed to score in the next 1680 minutes of proceeding football doesn’t take away from the fact that Geoff has been a revelation to the club, ascending to take on the captaincy role in Orr-Ewing’s stead after being preferred by most of the core squad as the likeliest candidate. His blistering pace, a rarity in the 4th tier of AL football, and Duracell bunny fitness terrorised many an out-of-shape left back, none more than the hapless Merchant Taylors full back who provided Geoff with the opportunity to make over 20 successful dribbles and 4 assists in a single game.

Harry Dalzell returned from a few years in the orient and provided a reliable source of flair and sluggish technical excellence. Despite at times lacking the fitness or the inclination to put a defensive shift in, Harry’s ability to unlock a defence with his impressive armoury of a flexible passing range, an accurate set piece or a beguiling ability to skin someone quicker than him for pace, made him a valuable asset for the club. Four goals over the course of the season is a healthy return for the winger, and we hope to see more of him next year. He was voted winner of the “best tekkers” award by some margin.

The Curry brothers were a regular feature in the attacking third, with Olly Curry’s debut season earning the title of “Best Newcomer”. His touch and movement is exemplary, and flashes of excellence during the season has got the 1st XI tongues wagging about a possible promotion. However, with a modest return of 4 goals in 14 games, he will perhaps need to prove his scoring record to earn a seat at the OHAFC equivalent of top-table. Meanwhile, brother Max Curry had a coming of age season, turning his potential into goals and man of the match performances. 8 goals in 12 games, as well as fistful of assists and 5 MOM performances, earned Max 3rd place in the Player’s Player of the Season award. Moreover, at least three of his goals were top quality finishes, with his effort against Old Berkhamsted in the JLC cup quarter final deservedly winning goal of the season award. We fear that Taunton-Collins will have a titan task ahead over the summer to keep hold of one of the team’s most valuable players. Dave Stead may also have played his final season for the club, declaring many of the final games of the season to be his last. Dave’s second season as vice captain of the 2s was again hampered by niggling injuries, but a return of 4 goals in 11 games shows that he’s far from losing his best. A competitive and aggressive combatant on the field, and a good dressing room influence off it, Dave will be sorely missed if his threats of marriage are for real. The fact that his skipper has yet to receive a wedding invitation gives some hope that the threat is indeed an elaborate hoax.

Other personnel were vital to completing another enjoyable and progressive season for the 2s, too many to mention in detail. We must take the chance to step back and take stock of the achievements of the last year, and the task at hand for next over the summer, and return with revitalised vim and vigour in September. The team has changed a great deal in the last 12 months and stands in good shape heading into a new season. With 2 very strong sides in Millfield and Old Berks promoted from the league, Harrow should be confident that they can beat the remaining sides in the league next season and earn promotion to the highest available division in the Arthurian League. Playing competitive sport with the same group of committed players is more than a string of results, a cup run and a final league position; the 2s has been a vehicle for many players to enjoy the myriad benefits of structured team sport, weekly competitive expulsion and making of new friends. While some very old and dear comrades have decided to call time on distinguished playing careers, they remain part of the history of the team and the club, and form part of the narrative. I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants and seen a little further, and now the torch passes to the next generation. We only hope that they cherish it as we have, and sustain its lovely light.