On a wet and windswept day on Harrow Hill, the OHAFC 1st XI produced their most accomplished display for several seasons to demolish Premier Division Old Marlburians 4-0 and move into the second round of the Arthur Dunn Cup. Conditions in northwest London for both the players and thirty or so hardy spectators on the touchline were atrocious for much of the game, with a strong wind blowing down the pitch away from the Alcock Pavilion and continuous driving rain.

Skipper Ed Poulter named a strong squad of fourteen for the first Cup tie of the season with all of this season's regulars present and Paul 'Big Games Only' Molloy also allowed out to play. Indeed, the man who scored the winner in the OHAFC's only success in this competition back in 2007 provided the major selection dilemma, with young centre-half Yunus Sert unlucky to miss out.

After maintaining his record of losing the toss in every game this season, Poulter and his men were forced to play into the wind in the first half, against their wishes. And, in true Cup tie fashion, the opening quarter of an hour saw much frantic football but very little quality on display as both sides sought to impose their will on the game.

Just three League places separated the sides at kick-off, with the Marlburians struggling in eighth in the Premier Division and the OHAFC riding high at the top of Division One, but the gulf in confidence between the teams soon began to show as the hosts took hold of midfield thanks to some tireless running from Richardson and Hill, with Poulter providing an effective shield in front of the back four and the Harrow side looking organised and disciplined throughout.

Despite creating a lack of clear-cut opportunities, the Blues were good value for the opening goal when it arrived, taking advantage of a sloppy set-piece from the visitors. Marlborough tried to play a corner to the edge of the Harrow box but the pass was a poor one and Molloy was quickest to react, intercepting the ball and carrying it forwards before springing Harry Hoffen down the inside right channel. Despite being urged to carry the ball in on goal, Harrow’s leading scorer went for an early shot from twenty-five yards out and appeared to have totally mis-hit his effort, the ball flying almost straight up into the air, apparently heading for the trees behind the goal. Somehow, with a few players and spectators having already turned away in disgust, the ball caught the wind and arced in a perfect trajectory over the goalkeeper, landing a yard in front of the goal and rolling slowly into the far corner of the net just inside the post. The celebrations were a mixture of joy at taking the lead and surprise at just how such an appalling shot could find the back of the net.

Despite the slightly fortuitous nature of the goal, the hosts smelt blood and for the remainder of the half played some excellent football. The power of the Harrow midfield proved too much for the visitors and, as the rain poured down, the navy blue shirts poured forwards. Firoozan weaved his magic down the left, his close control and balance allowing him to elude several defenders in the space of a few yards, Lederman and von Hirsch combined to good effect down the right and Hoffen and Hill continued to drag defenders all over the place with their attacking movement.

The second Harrow goal, scored on the half-hour, was a peach and very similar in nature to the one Jack Hill had scored against Brentwood in the previous game. A Marlborough attack was broken up in midfield and Firoozan was fed on the left. He danced down the wing, cut inside before flicking the ball towards the byline for Richardson to chase. Hoffen was completely unmarked inside the box and with the ‘keeper stuck in no-man’s land, Reg delivered an inch-perfect left-footed cross to the six yard box, allowing the striker to stand stock still and cushion his header into an empty net. As he wheeled away in celebration there was a brief moment of alarm as the ball slowed markedly on it’s journey over the line, but thankfully it had just enough pace on it to roll across the whitewash.

Harrow continued to press forwards in an effort to kill off the tie before the break but had one fortunate escape at the other end when, from a rare Marlburian attack, a corner into the box produced an almighty scramble that saw several players miss their kicks both attempting to score and clear. Finally the ball was hacked away and with it went the visitors’ only real chance of the half.

Moments later Harrow were not to be so wasteful from their own corner as Milln met Lederman’s cross to the far post with a thumping header that flew into the back of the Marlborough net. A simple goal, but an especially satisfying one for the side, who had spoken about the recent lack of goals from set-pieces prior to the game – an aspect they were keen to improve on.

No changes were made at the break, the rolling substitutions rule allowed in the League not available in the Dunn Cup and skipper Poulter not wanting to upset the excellent rhythm his side had built up.

The first ten minutes of the second half were more even, with the visitors able to contain any Harrow threat going forward. But as the rain eased, the hosts produced another excellent fifteen minute spell of football that saw them score the clinching fourth goal and come close on several other occasions. This time the goal came from the right-hand side, with von Hirsch, who has enjoyed a fine run of form at right-back in recent weeks, feeding Lederman and he carried the ball down the right wing before finding Richardson in space inside him. Reg, who had an outstanding game in midfield, turned the ball square to Hoffen on the edge of the box and he in turn fed the onrushing Jack Hill, who planted a firm left-foot shot past the ‘keeper from just inside the box, sparking wild celebrations from his teammates.

A similar move almost produced another fine goal but Hoffen’s effort on this occasion was well-smothered by the ‘keeper and Lederman then had an excellent opportunity to score when he won the ball just inside the Marlborough half but his ever-ageing legs were so tired by the time he got to the penalty area he could only shoot tamely straight at the ‘keeper. Indeed, the run left him so out of puff that he was immediately replaced by Yunus Sert, with von Hirsch moving onto the wing and Yunus slotting in at right-back.

Marlborough had one late chance to prevent a fourth Harrow clean sheet of the season but their striker snatched wildly at the effort and the ball flew wide of McGuiness’ right-hand post.

As time ran down, both remaining substitutes Bemini Soyinka and Giles Newton were introduced and, on another day, Bem could have opened his account for the season, the ball just not running for him or strike partner Hoffen in the closing stages. Indeed, Harry could have sealed his hat-trick late on but the goalkeeper managed to smother the chance at close-range.

The final whistle signalled the end of a fine OHAFC performance, their best for some time. Whilst the team has played well in spells this season, Saturday saw the whole squad perform for ninety minutes and the defensive solidity that has been a feature of their season to date being matched by some excellent football going forwards. With performances like this, there will be few teams relishing a tie against the OHAFC when the draw for the second round is made next Monday.

*Many thanks to all those who came to support on Saturday – conditions were atrocious and the effort people made to turn up and stay for the whole game was very much appreciated by the players.