The eleventh hat-trick of James Breeden's fledgling OHAFC career - taking his tally to a remarkable 54 goals in 34 1st XI League appearances - helped fire the Blues to an impressive, and vital, 3-1 win over Division One leaders the Old Alleynians on the Harrow School Astroturf on Saturday morning. The victory not only marked the first time the OHAFC first team had beaten their opponents in four attempts, but it also propelled the side to their highest position in the table since the win over the Radleians all the way back in mid-October.

With skipper Yunus Sert away, vice-captain Alex Breeden took the reins for Saturday's crunch encounter, the Blues coming into the game on the back of a significant upturn in fortunes with five wins from their previous six League games following a run of four straight defeats in the autumn. But with five teams all within a whisker of each other in the race for promotion, there remained minimal wiggle room. Alleynians won the earlier meeting between the sides, also played on astroturf, at a canter, cruising to a 5-1 win during the 1s' month-long horror-show that saw them fall to as low as seventh in the table. To prevent a repeat, the Blues would have to inflict the Alleynians' first League defeat since the 13th of October.

Conditions on the Hill were tricky with a strong breeze blowing across the newly-laid artificial surface, replete with a bewildering array of pitch markings for various sports. Harrow lined up in their recently-adopted 4-4-2 formation with the absence of the skipper requiring a major reshuffle at the back, Alex Breeden and Jonny Lalude pairing up in the middle with Gilbert once more at right-back and Harry Bick asked to play in a very unfamiliar left-back role on his 1st XI debut. Going forwards there was a more settled look to the side, with a midfield quartet of Brunt, Firoozan, Robinson and Charlie Bick supporting the regular forwards James Breeden and Mike Okoigun.

Despite the Alleynians comfortably winning the battle of the pre-match warm-ups with a highly professional display that rather put the lackadaisical Harrow efforts to shame, it was the hosts who began the game on the front foot, playing with a determination and aggression that almost seemed to take the league leaders by surprise. Red-shirted Harrovians were first to every challenge and swarmed around their opposition, hurrying them in possession. In attack, Harrow focussed mainly down their right, with Gilbert and Brunt combining effectively on several occasions. The pressure almost produced an early goal, James Breeden, who looked as menacing as ever, striking the bar with a well-struck effort that beat the keeper but not the woodwork.

As it was, the 23 year-old had to wait a further ten minutes before breaking the deadlock, Charlie Bick feeding him from midfield and Breeden firing into the top corner with his left foot to jubilant scenes of celebration. The hosts continued to dominate proceedings and were rewarded for their endeavours with a second ten minutes later. Again Brunt and Gilbert were the architects down the right, the former delivering a cross to the back post. Okoigun headed back across goal for his strike partner to poke in his, and Harrow's, second of the game.

o The goal stirred the visitors and they gradually fought their way back into the game as the half wore on. Disappointingly, it didn't take them long to halve the deficit, a loose ball was allowed to bounce inside the Harrow box and the Alleynians striker didn't wait for an invitation, producing a fine curling effort that beat the despairing dive of McGuinness.

Thankfully the hosts survived the remainder of the half with their lead intact, although it was clear that the Alleynians had overcome their early struggles and would provide a stern test in the second half.

And so it proved. The hosts made a couple of changes at the break, with Will Bamford and Doug Morrison coming on for their first taste of the action. But it was the blue-shirted Alleynians who made all the running, in almost a complete reversal of the first half-hour of the game.

Suddenly, Fraser McGuinness in the Harrow goal was the busiest man on the pitch as wave after wave of attacks culminated in shots being fired in on goal. Fraser responded magnificently, pulling off some fine saves to keep Harrow's noses in front. The back four also played their part, with skipper Breeden exuding confidence on the ball and his partner Jonny Lalude using every ounce of his considerable frame to outmuscle the Alleynians strikers. Alex Gilbert was enjoying himself thoroughly at right-back, winding up his opposite man at every opportunity and generally making a nuisance of himself. Lalude was booked for hauling back his man but the hosts were holding on with every ounce of determination they could muster.

As the game entered its closing stages, and Harrow still under constant pressure, they launched a swift counter-attack, taking advantage of the numbers the Alleynians had thrown forwards. Doug Morrison charged down the wing, squared for James Breeden, and he made no mistake from six yards out, completing his hat-trick and ensuring a famous win for the OHAFC.

It was a superb effort from all fourteen players and comfortably their strongest performance of the season against undoubtedly the top side in the division. But the side cannot afford to rest on their laurels for long. Just four games remain for the 1s and, for the first time since prior to Christmas, their fate now rests in their own hands - four victories would ensure promotion to the Premier Division. First up is the Old Berkhamstedians on the Hill next Saturday. The corresponding fixture last season produced a 5-1 victory for the visitors - there is no better time to put that right.

*Thanks to Freddie Brunt for his help with this report