OHAFC II 5 Old Epsomians 4

The 2s got their division 3 title hopes back on track with a thrilling 5-4 win over fellow contenders Epsom. The squad was bolstered by two familiar faces, with Woolley and Cater dropping down from the 1s to get some much needed game time.

Starting lineup: McHardy - Chopra - Orr-Ewing - Maydon - Woolley - Kerry - Pratt - M Curry - Taunton-Collins - O Curry - Cater

Bench - Gordon - Khan

Phil 2 was once again in excellent condition, allowing the team to set up ready to play some excellent football. But it was the visitors that started more brightly, showing that their pace and technique up front would require vigilance from the back four. With 265 2s caps in the back four and over 50 appearances as a unit, they weren't lacking for experience.

The first goal came from an innocuous free kick near the centre circle. Orr-Ewing hit the ball hard and straight, with plenty of whip to beat the static defenders. Max Curry was alive to the chance, and hit the ball perfectly with his first touch to score in the bottom corner. 1-0.

Soon afterwards, the same duo combined for Harrow's second. A cater corner found Orr-Ewing at the back post, and his header, aimed at goal, found Max Curry on the line to score his second from close range. 2-0.

Epsom then rallied before half time, putting pressure on the home team. Chaz McHardy was brave when his smothered a 50:50, getting clattered where his shinpad should have been and needing 10 mins to recover. Substitute keeper Khan came on and made a decent save during his stint. When McHardy returned and Khan went outfield, khan took his skipper's "professional foul" encouragement rather literally and made a comically undisguised pull back to earn himself a yellow card. It was the right thing to do after a cater long throw had exposed the team; the formerly hyper-successful agrarian tactic yielded little joy, even though Woolley's secret code "we're doing it now" ensured the element of surprise.

At half time, the team were upbeat and resolved to continue their gameplan in the second half. And Harrow indeed started the half very strongly, winning the 50:50s and keeping their shape very well. The opposition had little time on the ball to pick a pass, and the forwards were reduced to lonesome skirmishes and speculative long shots.

Harrow then went 3-0 up in extraordinary fashion. Another free kick 40 yards out was claimed by the skipper, who attempted a similar ball to the first half assist. This time the connection was sweeter and the ball sailed into the top right corner after the Epsom stopper flapped unconvincingly at it. Small fist pump to celebrate.

Cater was then unfortunate not to score, having been put through and his chip was just wide. But minutes later Cater won the ball back in a dangerous position to feed M Curry, who played a quick through ball to Kerry. The midfielder, on a prolific run of form, took the chance to make it 4-0.

But Harrow weren't done, and kept the press on. Again, they won the ball high up the pitch, this time by Pratt, who fed Cater. The midfielder was cool under pressure, and fed Oliver Curry, whose pace was too much for the tired defenders and whose finish was too good for the opposition keeper.

At 5-0, with just 23 mins on the clock, Harrow looked likely to record an historic win by an extraordinary margin. Epsom were level on points going into the fixture and possessed quality players in the final third. As Harrow's pressure dropped a little as the result seemed safe, Epsom came back into the game. The first goal came after the number 9 was put through with an excellent channel ball, and his cross was inch perfect for his strike partner who finished past Mchardy.

Soon after Harrow's shape had disintegrated and the opposition were able to pick their heads up and pick out a perfect ball. Maydon and Orr-Ewing struggled to cope with the pace of the opposition so late in the game, and their full backs Chopra and Taunton Collins provided little support. A second, third and fourth goal all followed in similar circumstances, with midfielders allowed to play passes behind the defence and the striker latching on.

At 5-4 with 4 mins remaining, it was an enthralling game, with the 2s holding on and praying for the final whistle. During the turnaround, both Pratt and Taunton Collins picked up nasty looking clashes, with Geoff taking a hit to his famous kisser and Pratt enjoying a clonk on his nut.

Harrow can be proud of their first 70 mins and were well deserving of their 3 points. After last minute goals conceded to Berks and Epsom, the focus must now shift to match preparation and fitness to ensure everyone can concentrate and work for the full 90 mins.