Saturday saw a slightly depleted OHAFC 1st XI take on the School 1st XI in the annual matchup between the sides, with conditions on the Hill similar to those during last week's Dunn Cup win - heavy rain and strong winds battering the players for much of the afternoon.

New additions to the old boys' squad included Alex Smith, who has been banging in the goals for the 2nd and 3rd XI's on a regular basis this season, Will Bamford, Nick Scarborough and Kyri Pittalis, who has been a regular in goal for the 2's. All four players made valuable contributions in securing a 4-2 victory for the OHAFC - their sixth win in seven games in all competitions so far this season.

The old boys started Saturday's fixture brightly, playing some very neat football with confidence flowing throughout the side and they were clearly the better team in the opening quarter of an hour. Ed Poulter's men duly got the goal they deserved when good play by Smith and Bamford gave Nick Scarborough the chance to score his first goal for the Club in just his second appearance.

The OHAFC continued to dominate and went 2-0 up with a fine finish from Alex Smith, the Club's leading scorer this season, who chipped the 'keeper from just outside the box having been played in by Quentin Baker. It was an excellent finish from the striker, who was clearly totally unfazed at playing for the 1's for the fist time - he wheeled away in exuberant celebration, slightly scaring several of the schoolboys in the process.

The School 1st XI slowly came back into the game as the half wore on but with about twelve minutes to go to the break the OHAFC went 3-0 up courtesy of a Quentin Baker header from a corner, the veteran midfielder meeting Bamford's excellent delivery with perfect timing.

Despite facing a daunting three-goal deficit, the School side responded well and a few minutes later got back into the game with a goal of their own. Their left winger had too much time and put in a delightful ball to the far post where the other winger climbed above Richardson to head home from close range.

The goal lifted the School 1st XI and their confidence on the ball clearly grew. Just moments before the break one of the central midfielders was allowed to pick a pass that bisected the square OHAFC back four, allowing their striker to finish well past Pittalis and reduce the arrears to just 3-2 at the break - a disappointing scoreline for the OHAFC given their superiority for much of the half.

The second half turned out to be a completely different affair however, with the School very much on top but unable to break down a stubborn OHAFC defence.

In deteriorating conditions, the OHAFC were awarded a penalty against the run of play when the school goalkeeper came rushing off his line, tripping Smith who was threatening to score. Smith got up, dusted himself off and safely converted the penalty to restore the old boys' two-goal cushion at 4-2.

The OHAFC saw out the final ten minutes without further alarm to secure a fine victory against a strong School XI. Indeed, the School became the first team this season to score twice against the Old Boys and great credit is due to them for forcing their way back into a game that at one point had looked well beyond them.

The OHAFC 1st XI now face two crucial League games in the next two weeks, with the visit of Aldenham first on the agenda - Aldenham remain the only side to have beaten the OHAFC this season so there will be no shortage of motivation for the Blues this Saturday.

*Many thanks to a surprisingly articulate Fred Milln for providing this week's match report*