Old Sennockians 2 OHAFC II 1

The Harrow 2nds suffered a frustrating loss away to Sevenoaks in a game they had deservedly led until the 70th minute, but which they let slip in the closing stages.

Harrow travelled to Barn Elms with a somewhat changed squad from their previous fixtures with season debuts for four players. Regulars Massey and Berry were making a delayed start their seasons due to a combination of shooting and refereeing commitments, Tom Bell jogged out for his regular tri-annual OHAFC appearance, and Rollo Hovey was stepping up for his club debut five games in due to self-confessed ‘uselessness at updating my availability’. Following uncharacteristic tardiness from a number of the squad, including the bashful looking Vice Captain, the team settled into a spritely warm up. Indeed such was the dynamism of new-boy Hovey’s possession football that the side’s senior management was persuaded into a tactical alteration prior to kick off, with Hovey moving into a key post at centre-mid.

The game began with both sides taking a number of minutes to adjust to the short, fat and oh-so-bobbly Barnes pitch. Then on the tenth minute Sevenoaks conjured a good chance, which Harrow relieved to be let off the hook. Their winger did well to find a way through Elwell and Berry’s left flank and crossed from the by-line to an unmarked striker in the six yard box, only for him to head the ball just outside the right hand post. Harrow heaved a sigh of relief, and determined not let it happen again.

The pattern of play quickly settled, however, with Harrow pressing well (typified by Elwell) and increasingly finding success with fast and direct passing moves, interrupted only intermittently when McHardy got his hands on the ball and proved yet again that his monstrous clearances could easily reach all the way into the opposition goalkeeper’s grateful hands… It was from a swift team passing move that Max Curry scored the game’s scorching opener. The ball was played forward into Khan who laid it off neatly into Curry’s path. With typical coolness the curly-haired frontman side-footed it goalwards, generating unexpected power from the technique employed, and saw the ball sail into the top left corner. The goal was a worthy reward for a good first half and the visitors went into the break pleased by their lead.

During half time skipper Taunton-Collins encouraged his troops to keep up the high intensity pressing, suggesting that given the small nature of the pitch if a Sennockian beat their presser there would be another Harrovian in close proximity to deal with the threat. They were also encouraged to think and act quickly in possession on a ground that had little patience for ponderous build up play.

The second half essentially consisted, much like the first, in a dizzy series of 50:50s, but this time Sevenoaks were tending to get the better of the away side, except when contesting against Beresford who remained unyieldingly steely throughout the encounter. Against the run of play Harrow had the chance to go 2-0 up with Taunton-Collins playing an accurate cross field ball to ever-willing Curry. Unfortunately his chip past the keeper was cleared off the line by a Sevenoaks defender committed enough to cause himself injury in the effort.

The first Sevenoaks goal came from a free kick that hit the bar and fell agonisingly to their meandering centre back, who nodded in gratefully inside the six yard box. Their second came from a shot saved well by McHardy but turned in on the rebound. The last minutes saw Harrow pushing for but failing to get an equaliser.

Honourable mention goes to man of the match Theo Gordon who took like a fish to water in the gritty conditions, putting his body on the line to deal with the threats Sevenoaks had the temerity to throw his way – a number of full blooded clearing headers drawing particular admiration from his team mates. Rollo Hovey also had an excellent debut, and showed a pleasing amount of bustle and nous given his reported lack of 11 a side football over the foregoing months.

Harrow have now lost all of their away matches, but won all of their home games. Given there have been 4 of the former and 1 of the latter this makes the Division 3 table poor reading. It is hoped that the team will continue their home ‘streak’ against Old Citizens this Saturday and then against Brentwood the one after, and that the side start converting decent away performances into much needed points.

View lineup and stats here.