OHAFC II 2 Old Salopians II 0

Harrow 2s earned what may go down as their most significant league victory of the season against Old Salopian 2s on Saturday. The sides had gone into the game two points apart and closer to the relegation zone than both would like, but Harrow took the points to send them 10 clear of the drop zone.

The lead up to the game was unusually difficult for the side who were suffering a rare week of poor availability. Indeed, special credit must go to Mike Okoigun who was required to play on a hamstring in dire need of recovery from the previous weekend and battled bravely for 80 minutes as the lone striker getting a crucial assist in the process. Poom Kunplin was also a welcome addition to the squad after a number of years away.

The first half passed reasonably uneventfully, with very little in it. Pratt was the stand out player combining excellent ball retention and ambitious distribution. However, the chances were few and far between with only a couple of half chances falling to Okoigun and Khan who were swamped by Old Salopian defenders before they could sort their feet out.

During half time Harrow were reminded that while the first half performance had been decent, it was typically second half concentration lapses that had cost the side this season. The 12 agreed that the priority was to avoid such a lapse again at all costs.

This was immediately ignored as Harrow endured what may have been their most testing five minutes of the season. The home side were thoroughly under the cosh and endured countless close shaves with brave defending from required, and a couple of shots hitting the woodwork.

To the side’s credit this storm was weathered, and the team started to grow into the game once more. Indeed, 10 minutes later Harrow scored two in quick succession.

For the first Curry picked the ball up as it came loose on the edge of the area. In typically cool headed fashion he hit the ball sweetly goalwards, and saw see it sail comfortably over the keeper's head to put Harrow 1-0 up. Curry then wheeled away in disgust at his effort (no one quite knows why). His skipper took it upon himself to cheer up his weirdly irritated frontman by informing him brightly that ‘that’s the best slowest goal I’ve ever seen’. This seemed to do the trick – Curry chuckled. His slow-come-beautiful effort can be seen on the club's facebook page.

Harrow got their second soon afterwards. Alhadeff, who had switched positions at half time and was now playing in behind Okoigun, clipped a header towards goal from a flick on by Okoigun following a Massey thrown in on the right. The ball arced over the keeper for what seemed like a good 10 seconds, before landing over the line and inside the posts to everyone’s surprise - a fitting follow up to Curry’s earlier equally loopy effort. However, Alhadeff’s goal - loopy or not - was a deserved reward for the young forward who had used his pace and skill to good effect in his new more central position – a tactical option that will no doubt prove useful to the side in future games.

Having gone two goals ahead Harrow settled into a strategy that has not been seen this season. The home side ceded the lion’s share of possession and maintained two solid banks of four. The next half an hour followed a clear pattern with Harrow soaking up pressure and reducing Shrewsbury to occasional half chances, while Alhadeff, Okoigun and Taunton-Collins threatened on the break on a number of occasions.

The entire back 8 should be commended for their discipline but special mention must be afforded to Charlie McHardy and Will Orr-Ewing. The Harrow stopper put in a series of brave interceptions, while the centre back was flawless in dealing with long balls over the top and marshalled his back 4 with authority.

Alhadeff came close again after he met a clever Khan cross with a full-blooded header that flew wide the near post. Given his goal scoring record this season the winger come attacking midfielder may feel he should have done better with the opportunity.

When the final whistle blew Harrow celebrated heartily. The victory puts the side in an excellent position to maintain their status in Division 3 for next year. Their 10-point cushion may not mathematically rule out relegation, but the pressure has at least been substantially lifted.

To view lineup and stats click here.