The OHAFC 1st XI got back to winning ways in style on Saturday, registering their biggest victory of the season in demolishing a poor Winchester side 8-1 on the Hill.

The win was celebrated in style at the Players' Dinner in Chelsea later in the evening although some of the gloss was taken off when news came through that second-placed Brentwood had somehow thrashed third-placed Repton 10-0. Nevertheless, the result is a timely fillip for the 1st XI following successive defeats in League and Cup.

Skipper Ed Poulter was forced to withdraw from the squad on the eve of the game with illness meaning only a squad of twelve was available but there was still plenty of attacking talent to choose from. Nick Scarborough started at right-back with Paul Molloy and James Breeden both used in central midfield for the first time this season. Lederman and Smith returned to the starting lineup for the first time in a while, with Gilbert partnering the youngster up front, Harry Hoffen feeling slightly under the weather prior to kick-off and offering to start on the bench.

The strong breeze that seems to have been a feature of every OHAFC game since Christmas was present once again, joined midway through the game by a persistent drizzle that left all the players soaked through by the final whistle.

But there was nothing grey about the hosts' football as they quickly set about imposing themselves on a Winchester side that has struggled in the League this season, despite forcing the Blues to a nervous 2-1 win in the away fixture in late November.

Harrow's passing was much improved from the previous week's efforts against Bradfield, not least thanks to the presence of Molloy in midfield, who was soon switching play left and right with his customary ease. One early attack saw him volley the ball wide to Lederman on the left but his low cross was scrambled clear by the Winchester defence.

It didn't take long for the hosts to take the lead however, with James Breeden scoring the first of his three goals when he collected a loose ball inside the box and calmly waited for the 'keeper to commit himself before beating him inside his near post.

It was one-way traffic for the opening half an hour and the Blues scored a second shortly afterwards, Gilbert providing a perfect low cross from the right for Smith to tap in unmarked at the far post.

The visitors regrouped and the play became scrappy for the final period of the half, the hosts being forced to make a switch with Tass von Hirsch picking up a knock that caused a reshuffle, Alex Breeden the unfortunate man to fill in at left-back.

But the result was put beyond doubt shortly before the break when Gilbert scored an excellent third, anticipating the flight of a cross-field ball much better than the defender, cutting inside his man to collect the ball on his chest, run into the box and sidefoot the ball past the 'keeper.

The second half began slowly but once the hosts had scored a fourth, James Breeden finishing from close range following a scramble inside the box, the floodgates opened and it quickly became a question of how many a previously goal-shy Harrow attack could rack up.

There were four more goals scored of varying quality: Smith finished well from close range after shrugging aside a defender; Alex Breeden drilled home from a very tight angle, the 'keeper aiding the ball in with some dubious glovework; James Breeden completed his hat-trick with a superb piece of trickery that saw two defenders hit the turf and the Harrow man calmly steady himself before curling the ball into the far corner; but perhaps the most notable goal was the penultimate one scored by Lederman, who managed something he had comfortably failed to achieve in his past twenty-three years as an OHAFC player - score a header. Gilbert supplied another perfect cross from the right and the veteran winger rose majestically (stood) at the far post fifteen (ten) yards out to thump (cushion) the ball home inside the far post. His celebrations were suitably low-key and classy.

The only sour note was a late goal from the visitors who sprung the Harrow offside trap in the closing moments to leave their striker with just Fraser McGuinness to beat - a task that was comfortably accomplished.

Brentwood's stunning win at Repton means that the Division One title is still out of Harrow's hands - five games remain: two wins ensure promotion back into the Premier Division but even winning all five, including the return fixture at Brentwood, will not be enough to see the Blues win the division if the side from Essex win all their other games.