The OHAFC 1st XI produced one of their best opening day performances of recent years on Saturday when they comfortably saw off the challenge of Repton on the Hill to get their promotion charge off to the best possible start.

After last season's chastening experience that saw Ed Poulter's men win just three League games to finish stranded at the foot of the Premier Division, there is a renewed sense of determination among the squad to ensure there is no repeat this season.

The extensive pre-season undertaken has no doubt helped enormously, with three friendlies, all won, already played and, as a result, fitness levels are considerably higher than at the corresponding stage last season.

Despite the absence of skipper Poulter, new vice-captain Fred Milln was able to call upon a strong squad of thirteen for the game with a good blend of youth and experience. Two players remain in the squad from the last time the side were in Division One, Messrs Hoffen and Lederman, although fellow veterans Baker and Molloy are also sure to see some action when available. Not a single debutant was named, although the likes of Tass von Hirsch, Jaguar Bajwa, Giles Newton, Dan Firoozan and Cyprian Owen-Edmunds could barely muster double figures of appearances between them.

Despite the pitch being in pristine condition and the weather set fair, there was, rather worryingly, no sign of referee David Hunn. A brief hold-up ensued before OHAFC stalwart Fred Woolley dug out his old kit from the boot of his car (he takes it everywhere just in case an occasion such as this arises), sharpened his pencil and marched to the centre circle, informing all twenty-two players he was in no mood for any 'nonsense'.

The opening half an hour was predictably scrappy with the hosts finding their feet and the visitors struggling to cope against a team used to playing at a higher level. Harrow thought they had secured an early penalty when Alex Gilbert fell under a challenge from the 'keeper but after a brief pause, referee Woolley awarded a free-kick the other way. Clearly Specsavers have yet to open a branch in Richmond...

Neither side was able to dominate and even completing five consecutive passes seemed a struggle most of the time. The only incident of note was the sad sight of Johnny Lalude limping off with a torn hamstring, his place taken by Sam Pepys at the heart of the back four.

As the half wore on however, Harrow seemed to relax somewhat and the pace of front two Hoffen and Gilbert began to produce gaps in the stretched Repton rearguard. An excellent move saw Lederman and Hoffen combine to free right-back Tass von Hirsch but, having done the hard work and beaten the last defender, he narrowly failed to find the bottom corner, his shot shaving the outside of the post.

Shortly afterwards the hosts did strike. Newton fed Lederman on the right and he clipped an inch-perfect ball over the top for left-winger Firoozan to run onto, collect on his chest and beat the 'keeper with a composed finish despite having minimal space in which to work.

By this stage the midfield duo of Newton and Hill had gained control and were spreading the play nicely. Owen-Edmunds replaced Lederman for the final ten minutes of the half and the Blues maintained a level of control, Milln in the Harrow goal having little work to do.

At half-time the other 'old man' of the team Harry Hoffen decided he needed a rest, so Lederman was thrown back into the fray. Again the half started scrappily with Repton looking to get forward from the whistle but having wethered the initial threat, Harrow began to exert control once more and scored a second following a spell of pressure around the Repton box. A series of crosses were dealt with satisfactorily by the visitors but a looping clearance fell perfectly to Alex Gilbert to strike. His shot ricocheted off a half-turned defender and it was Firoozan who again anticipated the flight of the ball perfectly, stealing in behind the static defence to cushion the ball first-time past the stranded 'keeper.

Despite the cushion of a two-goal lead the Blues could never quite get out of third gear, with several players taking too many touches when a simple pass would have freed a teammate in space. Repton fought hard but the closest they came to finding a way back into the game were a couple of dangerous crosses that forced Milln to back peddle and turn over his bar at full stretch.

With time running down Harrow's shape seemed muddled and keeping the ball for any length of time became seemingly impossible. Too often passes were delayed or played to teammates in minimal space, inviting pressure towards the Harrow box.

Fortunately, any remote possibility of a Repton comeback was extinguished fifteen minutes from time thanks to a fine through ball from Sam Pepys - who had earlier charged forward from the back, beating four players almost at will but unable to provide the final ball. Having won the ball this time, Pepys looked up and nonchalantly sprayed a superb pass over the top for Owen-Edmunds to run onto and collect, rounding the oddly static goalkeeper and finishing neatly into the far corner.

The visitors were fortunate in the extreme to finish with eleven players on the pitch when a ridiculous challenge by their giant centre-back saw him throw Hoffen to the ground when through on goal. Referee Woolley on this occasion showed his diplomatic side and issued a 'stern ticking off'. From the resulting free-kick on the edge of the box, Firoozan came close to completing his hat-trick, his curling effort beating the wall but not the outstretched arm of the 'keeper.

The win was no more than the hosts deserved. Although they had struggled at times to play with much cohesion and the final twenty minutes saw the shape of the team collapse rather alarmingly, there was much to enjoy for an opening League fixture. Firoozan took his goals superbly and provided moments of quality, von Hirsch enjoyed a fine game at right back and Pepys and Bajwa both played well in the middle, especially in the second half when the ball spent rather too long than it should have done around the Harrow box.

The Blues now have a week off, with the annual Festiphil competition to be played next weekend, before returning to League action with a second home game against Wellington in two weeks, followed by a trip to Aldenham. There is much to be optimistic about.