Despite conceding the opening goal of the game, the OHAFC 1st XI quickly imposed their authority over the struggling Old Aldenhamians on the Hill on Saturday, and by the end of the ninety minutes the gap in class between the teams had been ruthlessly exposed, the Blues running out comfortable 7-1 winners. Yet again, James Breeden was the headline name with another four goals taking his tally to eleven for the season from just seven appearances. The victory sees the side climb back into fourth in the table and with just four points the gap to the three sides above them, there is plenty to play for in the remaining eight games following the Christmas break.

With further concerns over the strength in depth of the 1s squad surfacing in midweek, the last thing the Blues needed was to concede an early goal in this must-win fixture. But that is exactly what happened as the Aldenhamians broke the deadlock with a tremendous early strike, a precise left-footed curler into the far corner following an excellent piece of skill. Remarkably, it was just Aldenham’s seventh goal in nine League games this season.

It didn’t take the hosts long to respond however, as two goals in three minutes from James Breeden settled any Harrovian nerves. A superb forty-yard ball over the top from older brother Alex sent James clean through and he made no mistake with a deft header from the penalty spot. Moments later it was 2-1 and another superb effort from the striker who fired a first-time shot in off the far post from the corner of the box.

With Harrow in the ascendency, two goals late in the half put the result beyond a hard-working but outclassed Aldenham side. Alex Breeden scored the third on the half hour with a speculative shot from range that the keeper should have done better with and Mike Okoigun made it four shortly before the break with his second goal of the season, heading home a cross from the right into the far corner.

With the result beyond doubt, the second half took a while to liven up, with chances in the first twenty minutes few and far between. Young Felix Tritton was introduced off the bench for his debut 1st XI appearance, and he watched on as James Breeden claimed yet another hat-trick, another magnificent solo effort to add to his burgeoning collection as he beat three defenders before planting the ball into the top corner.

He completed his scoring for afternoon with Harrow’s sixth, another effort from distance that the Aldenham keeper really should have done better with, before the Blues saved the best until last with an excellent team goal, the ball being switched from left to right, Firoozan feeding Alex Gilbert and his cross from the wing was turned in first time by the onrushing Alex Breeden.

So a highly satisfactory end to 2018 for the OHAFC 1st XI, who appear to have put their earlier wobbles behind them and can now concentrate on pressuring the three sides above them in the Division One table. Fixtures at home to the Alleynians and away to the Marlburians remain – both are likely to prove pivotal in this closely-fought promotion chase.

*Thanks to skipper Yunus Sert for his assistance with this match report