OHAFC III 3 Old Cholmeleians IV 4

Stand in captain Fogarty opted for an attacking 4-3-2-1 against a Cholms team rooted to the bottom of the division. Winning the toss the blues opted for the slope and wind in the first half. In the team talk before the game it had been stressed how the team needed to start strongly, not concede early again and put the opposition on the back foot.

Harrow did just that winning a congested midfield battle, providing the front three with several openings. Harrow were unlucky not to be 1-0 up after 5 minutes, with Cholms making a freakish goal line clearance after a scramble in the box following a Feather corner. This pressure definitely spurred on the team with Harrow making several more clear cut chances. Ned Callander did well to beat his man down the left and to put the ball on plate for Smith to head in, instead opting for a volley which he missed altogether. Still Harrow pressed, Oli Walker this time going close - hitting the side netting. Harrow's persistence paid off as Ludo Callander whipped in a delightful ball which Smith cleverly poached after the keeper had failed to catch, allowing him to run the ball in the back of the net. 1-0.

For the rest of the half Harrow were the better team, Elwell and Zundell doing well to snuff any opposition long balls. It was clear that the midfield was very congested with both teams opting for one man up top and as a result several players were being caught on the ball after taking too many touches. As half time approached it seemed Cholms were getting frustrated by Harrow's dominance with the fouls on the OH players and dissent towards the referee increasing.  At half time OH players came off in mixed moods, frustrated the score line was not higher but also happy to be ahead at the break.

A real "game of two halves" proceeded. Right from the whistle it was clear what Cholms tactics were - to play the long ball. More Harrow footer tactics than anything Cholms used the wind, rain and slope to great effect. 

Not long into the half Cholms were level with a long punted ball to their talented Irish striker to finish well past debutant Poole.  A second for the visitors followed in quick succession. Another long ball threatened, poorly cleared by Harrow allowing the Cholms forward to bury again. 2-1.

Although momentum and conditions were with the visitors, Harrow started to play some of the best football they had all season. New boy Tass von Hirsch and (now veteran) Ed Page showing some real class in midfield. Von Hirsch turned players inside out, passed well and a was general nuisance for the opposition midfield. Going close on a spectacular solo run,  Page also started to assert his authority with some strong driving runs and through balls as Harrow looked to catch Cholms on the break. The midfield 3 with Feather holding, put some neat passing moves together much to the annoyance of Cholms who fouled as a result to break up Harrow's rhythm.  As Harrow looked to draw level they conceded against the run of play. An inexcusable goal - shades of England vs Uruguay. A goal kick from Cholms caught the wind and sailed long over both Harrow centre backs, allowing the lippy Irishman to gather and knock in his second of the game. 

Harrow 3-1 down kept pushing up the hill and against the strong wind. The home team were counter attacking well,  Smith receiving the ball to the left hand side of the box had a shot blocked but finished his second effort comfortably. 3-2.

Harrow were unlucky not win a penalty after Fogarty was taken out by the goalkeeper (nicknamed Christmas) after he latched on to a beautiful through ball from the impressive Page. 

As the final minutes ticked down, balance was restored. Smith cleverly won a penalty  after a  Borat look-a-like handled the ball whilst grappling the big centre forward. Smith stepped up for his hat-trick and buried it in the bottom right. The striker remained composed despite some needless commentary from the away side. Surely game over?

Not quite, again  a long ball was booted into Harrow's half and instead of clearing the ball Harrow dithered and Cholms won a corner. The resulting corner was met by a strong Cholms header, debutant Ben Umbers did well to clear off the line, but as the ball reached the edge of the box it was smashed home sparking some uncouth Cholmeleian celebrations. The whistle was blown and that was that.

To rub further salt into the wound, as several OH players left they saw the Cholms captain drive off in a black Ferrari! 

Although the 3's are free scoring at the moment, the defending lacks communication and concentration, this needs to be addressed in the upcoming games. Hopefully the return of self dubbed "Captain Fantastic" Harry Turner can shore up the back.