Old Cholmeleians II 1 OHAFC II 1

The 2s continued their unbeaten run with a hard fought 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Despite some mid-week availability issues, a very strong side set out to face a Salopians side on equal points.

Pritchard - Gordon - Orr-Ewing J - Maydon - Taunton-Collins - Kerry - Crawley G - Khan - Curry M - Stead - Dalzell

Bench: Jorel Bajwa - Curry O

The game started well with Harrow adopting a high intensity pressing game. Under pressure all over the park, the Salopians made errors in defence and allowed Harrow possession in dangerous areas.

The pressure paid off when a Dalzell corner found Kerry under the bar, with the midfielder doing enough to get his third goal of the season. His goal scoring is a useful addition to this side and his game, and it proved an important goal as the match wore on.

Harrow were guilty of dropping off in the second quarter. Clearly dominant and comfortable in the game, the blues failed to capitalise on their superiority. Allowing Salopians more time on the ball and getting sloppy in possession, they allowed what should have been an easy 3 points to turn into an even match up.

The home side grew in confidence as Harrow gave them space and ceded possession too easily, and it wasn't a surprise when they managed an equaliser. Dilly dallying with the ball in their own half, Galen Crawley was unable to control a bobbling ball. The Salopian winger picked up possession and played a good ball through to his striker. Keeper Pritchard couldn't make the save and the ball rolled into the net.

For the rest of the half both sides failed to put a string of passes together, with the most notable moment coming as Pritchard was alert to a long shot that he acrobatically turned over his cross bar. Tellingly, it was the only genuine save he was called upon to make during the game. Dalzell also went narrowly wide with a delicate free kick.

At half time Stead let his team mates know what was needed and the squad went into the second period with more purpose and focus. Harrow were again the better team and played most of their football in the opposition half.

Multiple corners on a narrow pitch looked a likely source for a goal, but it proved a frustrating 45 mins. Stead latched onto the ball as it squirmed out of a melee of bodies, but was only able to crash his shot onto the cross bar and watch as the defence scrambled the ball to safety.

Again Harrow were frustrated as Azhar Khan burst into the box and was felled right on the 18 yard line, with the referee declining the appeals for a penalty and not even awarding a free kick.

Both Curry brothers fashioned chances for themselves in front of a resolute (if a little erratic) Salopian defence. However, as the game wore on and the final ball or decisive shot failed to materialise on numerous attacks, the game had a sense of inevitable disappointment to it.

Hopes soared in the final moments as Max Curry picked out a perfect ball to Stead, whose firm header from 10 yards out went agonisingly over the bar.

Notable mention goes to man of the match "Super Geoff" TC, whose energy and pace from right back provided both cover for the defence and some extra thrust in attack.