OHAFC III 1 Old Foresters III 1

High on confidence after the opening day of the season, the 3s fielded another strong squad to face Forest in their first home game of the season.

With the sun out, Harrow dominated the early exchanges, moving the ball nicely in the midfield. The newly formed partnership of Harry Richardson and Pom Beeley passed it quickly and accurately while Ludo Callander adapted to life in the middle of the park by putting in a shift that even the great lothario James Hunt would have been proud of.

The pressure paid off, with Benjy Sewell winning the ball on the left flank and delivering a pin-point cross which was met by Alex Smith, the ball sneaking in off the post to give the home side a much deserved lead. In truth, the lead should have been extended a couple of times, with Captain Hindsight left to rue a commanding advantage not being taken into the break.

The second half was less controlled as the game began to open up like the Autobahn, the ball flying from one end to the other in a matter of touches. Harrow’s midfield was stretched as the opposition failed to tire sufficiently, making that ever-elusive clean sheet all the more unlikely.

Forest took a stranglehold of the game, although Charlie Hicks and Ollie Feather provided a useful outlet out wide when Harrow were able to regain possession. In truth, Forest’s equaliser – a well-timed run through the middle to meet a sumptuous cross – was harsh on the Harrow defence who had been solid throughout, marshalled expertly by Chas McHardy in goal. The burgeoning partnership between Turner, Thorn, Kapoor and Fogarty is a positive sign so early in the season.

The last 10 minutes of the game was utter chaos. The formation of both sides began to resemble a Mike Basset dream sequence and a point started to look like a good result.

The unbeaten start continues, but rather like Ranieri’s Leicester charges, so does the quest for a clean sheet. That run, which dates back to September 2012, now stands at 35 games. A club record, surely.

See team lineup and stats here. Photos of the game can be viewed here.