The OHAFC 1st XI picked up a deserved point away at Brentwood, their first of the season, but really should have taken all three, having dominated the majority of the game and certainly having the better chances of the two sides.

The performance was especially impressive given the lack of availability and large number of injuries meaning that a squad of only twelve travelled, including no less than three new faces: Ed Massey, Will David and Jamie Barwick. Former 1s 'keeper Rudy d'Oliveira got a late call-up on Friday night and was named as the only substitute, his first appearance for the club in over four seasons.

With four defeats in a row to start the season and a patchwork side the last thing the Blues needed was a poor start but that's exactly what happened as the home team were 1-0 up within the first 5 minutes. A flick-on led to a cross from the right wing, 'keeper Emre Sert came for the ball but the Brentwood striker was there first with a glancing header to send the ball in at the near post.

Undaunted, Harrow picked their heads up and from the kick- off dominated possession and territory with a fluid and simple passing game - perhaps the best football the side has played all season. Brentwood were put under a huge amount of pressure as Richardson and Poulter both had efforts saved.

The new formation of playing a central defensive midfielder allowed skipper Poulter plenty of space and time to dominate possession. Soon afterwards Will David did very well to beat the Brentwood right-back to the byline and crossed for Oli Walker who turned beautifully and finished low in to the corner. Oli, in only his third appearance for the 1st XI, had a very good game, working tirelessly to close down the Bentwood back four in addition to holding the ball up throughout.

Young midfielder George Gould was also very dangerous when in attack, often beating two or three Brentwood players and going close after a simple one-two with Poulter on the edge of the box. Fred Richardson also helped out in the centre of the park, allowing Brentwood little time on the ball when in possession and switching play cleverly from flank to flank. Reg also scored what would have been a fine winner, having taken a brilliant touch to bring the ball under control, but the goal was disallowed for a soft foul on the defender.

At the back, debutants Massey and Barwick were solid and played a simple passing game to keep possession well. Ellis and Sert at centre-back were assured as ever, the former giving his man, arguably Brentwoods' best player, very little time on the ball, tracking him closely for the entire ninety minutes.

After the visitors had enjoyed much the better of things in the first half, Brentwood pushed men further up to mark skipper Ed Poulter in the second forty-five and as a result possession was more evenly matched. However Harrow continued to have the better chances, although the hosts did cause some problems in the Harrow box from corners, utilising their significant height advantage.

Will David continued to work hard down the flanks and caused Brentwood problems although many of Harrow's chances came from long range efforts. The final stages of the match saw the visitors tire slightly but they deservedly held out for a draw. It was a very positive performance and the team left the field elated with their efforts.

Next up for the 1s are two winnable away games with a long trip to face Wellingborough in the first round of the Arthur Dunn Cup before a much shorter journey to Chiswick to face another side struggling in the Premier Division, the Old Salopians.

*Skipper Ed Poulter with the match report