After securing pole position in Division Five South last Saturday, the Harrow 3rd XI were looking to carry their impressive league form into their David Woolcott Trophy campaign against Essex side, and Division Four strugglers, Old Bancroftians.

Harrow started the game with the formidable Chuka Ilogu in goal, with his immovable object-like frame imposing fear into the opposition. Ilogu seemed on fire in the warm up, that being his performance in the ‘keepy up headers’ game on the Central Line journey towards Roding Valley. Ilogu showed fine finesse and even better reactions when captain Nick Kapoor attempted to help himself to a Haribo from Ilogu's left jacket pocket. Kapoor was raring to go himself and even dressed the part for an away trip to Essex, donning a flat cap and a buttoned-up polo, finished with his Persian good looks.

The Harrow back four of Connor Barrett, Ed Richards, Hussain Janmo and Alec Fogarty provided the filling between the Ilogu and Kapoor sandwich. On that note, the Harrow back four were slightly lighter in the pack compared to usual, with the absence of the somewhat chunky figure of centre-half Kyle Barrett. It was the energetic and vocal Ed Richards that made for a more streamlined centre half pairing.

The midfield was made up of the ever-present Charlie Bick, Harry Bick and Tommy 'Ozil' Faber. With regular wide man Ned Callender unavailable it was the returning Oscar Gairard completing the midfield line up, with front man Alex Smith looking to add to his impressive goal tally for the season. Tom Mitchell provided the support from the bench.

Harrow started the game in promising fashion, attempting to play the ball from the back. Linking up nicely, Charlie Bick almost slipped Gairard in down the right hand side, only for the ball to run long. This wasn't a Monday night trip to Staffordshire, and Charlie Bick was slightly less mirroring of the post-Christmas Charlie Adam, but it was cold and wet, so Harrow opted for the long throw of defender Connor Barrett. On the 15 minute mark the Delap-like throw found striker Alex Smith in the box to head home the opener, the perfect start for Harrow given the conditions.

A scrappy affair proceeded from this point, the conditions not allowing either team to get the ball on the floor and pass. Captain Nick Kapoor used his deceptive mobility well, neutralising any potential threat from the opposition. Nevertheless, Bancroft managed to forge a string of half-chances, only for the Harrow back four to clean up comfortably.

In attack, Harrow targeted the very little grass left on the pitch, utilising the pace of Harry Bick and Oscar Gairard down the flanks. Harry Bick was up for the contest, battling with his Lee Bowyer-like grit and physique to win Harrow a number of corners, but all to no avail. That was until the half-hour mark when Harrow had another long throw opportunity: when the ball was launched in it was midfielder Tommy Faber ghosting into the box to head home Harrow's second. The OH 3's were simply too good and more clinical than their hosts, taking a 2-0 lead into the break.

The Harrow midfield started the the second half well, with Charlie Bick motivating the troops and Tommy Faber driving the ball forwards with every opportunity. From one attack Harry Bick received the ball on the left, cut inside and fizzed a low drive towards goal, the Bancroft 'keeper spilling the ball. It was striker Smith who reacted first to pounce and calmly sidefoot the rebound in for Harrow's third.

The opposition at this point offered little in attack and were quite simply out of ideas. However this didn't stop the Bancroft men from offering some fine one-liners. After an altercation with the Harrow captain, the Bancroft forward 'politely' suggested Nick Kapoor work on his fitness and find a treadmill. Somewhat ironic as the Harrow captain had been running over his team all afternoon. The remark might have had something to do with Kapoor calling the Bancroft forward 'Simply Red' highlighting his resemblance to one of Kapoor's favourite bands and leading man Mick Hucknall.

With Barrett trying to calm the situation, the Bancroft player then said 'calm down princess, I ain't going to cut the crusts off your sandwiches'. The Harrow men have since googled this phrase and are still none the wiser!

Harrow were on track to secure their passage into the second round with a clean sheet to boot. That was until the 75 minute when the frustrated Bancroft striker picked up the ball by the Harrow corner flag and made his way into the box. Taking advantage of his stage and theatrical experience, he threw himself to the ground, winning a rather soft penalty. The Bancroft midfielder stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

With the game at 3-1, left back Janmo, ever the opportunist, enquired politely with the Bancroft forward regarding some new double glazing for his flat in Chelsea. The offer was not accepted.

Harrow finished the game as they started, organised without the ball and clinical in possession. Although midfielder Charlie Bick has compromised his conversion rate on the pitch for his off-field antics (a so-called French model he found on tinder) the team have stayed focussed and professional as ever.

Ultimately Harrow were easily the better team and good value for their 3-1 win and progress into the second round of the David Woolcott Trophy.

The OHAFC 3s next face a trip to Epsom 2s as they bid to continue their excellent run of form that has seen them unbeaten in League and Cup since the opening day of the season.

*Thanks to Connor Barrett once again for this excellent report of the game