The OHAFC 1st XI returned to their former training venue for their second pre-season friendly, this time taking on Division Four side Stowe.

Disappointingly, Harrow had a few late drop outs and, combined with some late arrivals, were forced to start the match with a bare eleven and Stof Magrath upfront, who did very well considering his only very recent return to fitness.

The match was played on astro turf and both sides took a while to settle. The first half was a slightly scrappy affair, Harrow generally keeping the ball well but the manic and disorganised shape of the Stoics actually worked against the side when trying to break them down.

Gemini Soyinka scored a classic striker's goal inside the first ten minutes, finishing a one on one calmly in to the corner of the net. Then, both Tass von Hirsch and Jack Hill scored two superb individual goals. Von Hirsh weaved into the box and struck a low shot past the keeper and Hill hit a fine volley from outside the box.

A few minutes later Stowe were gifted a chance to get back into the game when skipper Ed Poulter was penalised for handling inside the area, somewhat harshly, as the ball struck his arm following an aerial challenge. Fortunately 'keeper David Griffiths guessed correctly, saving his third straight penalty in a row.

The second half saw Harrow switch to a 4-1-4-1 with Baker and Firoozan entering the fray. But due to the smaller pitch size and chaotic shape of the opposition, this change simply did not work. Stowe scored two fortuitous goals from Harrow errors and were back in the game (having not registered a noticeable shot in the first half).

Harrow reverted back to their tried and tested 4-4-2 shape and Jack Hill scored his second from an overhit free-kick that appeared to be a cross. Hill then completed his hat-trick from the spot as a second penalty was awarded following a foul inside the Stowe box.

The game finished 5-2 to the Blues and although scrappy, there were positive patches of football played and the fitness of the side continues to grow ahead of the new season which begins on September 12th.