The OHAFC 1st XI’s first win of the season over the Old Rugbeians last weekend was swiftly forgotten as the Blues turned in one of their poorest performances in recent memory, conceding seven goals for the second time in three games in a humiliating thrashing dished out by an Old Kimboltonians side that had previously earned only a solitary victory themselves prior to Saturday afternoon. The defeat leaves the Blues rooted to the foot of the Division One table once more.

Whilst the 7-3 defeat to the Old Ardinians on the Hill three weeks ago was disappointing, the Blues were well in the game until the closing stages and their opponents currently sit top of the table with four wins from five games played since promotion from Division Two last season. There were no such mitigating circumstances this time. Although the twelve-man squad was a strong one, skipper Dan Firoozan naming himself on the bench with the prospect of his competitive comeback from over a year out with an ACL injury, the problems began even before kick-off: the players carrying the team kit arrived at the University of Hertfordshire Sports Campus only twenty-five minutes before kick-off ensuring only a cursory warm-up could be undertaken.

It was hardly surprising, therefore, when the visitors found themselves under immediate pressure and behind within five minutes, a penalty conceded by Ciaran Jordan for a late tackle on the Kimbolton winger that was summarily dispatched into the top right corner past keeper Fraser McGuinness. This set the tone for the remainder of the game, the visitors blown away by a side that were fitter, better organised and more motivated. One became two ten minutes later, a counter down the Kimbolton left ended with a cross and finish and three minutes after that the result was put beyond all reasonable doubt when an errant throw from McGuinness sailed past left-back Cyprian Owen Edmunds and invited further pressure, the resulting first shot from the cross was saved but the rebound was gleefully turned in and with fewer than twenty minutes played the hosts had an unassailable 3-0 lead.

The skipper, undoubtedly furious with what was unfolding in front of him, had seen enough and brought himself on with ten minutes remaining in the half. Although this would hardly have been the ideal circumstances to mark his long-awaited return to competitive action, the sight of the midfield maestro back in blue was nonetheless a huge relief to all within the club. The visitors managed a solitary effort in attack just prior to the half-time whistle, Ciaran Jordan firing over the bar.

The switch to a flat back four following the skipper’s arrival heralded the Blues’ best spell of the game and the visitors began the second half at least competing on equal terms, Jordache and Acar in particular causing the Kimboltonians a few headaches down their left-hand side. But ten minutes into the half the hosts struck once more, killing the mini revival dead in its tracks: a break down the hosts’ right wing saw the ball delivered to the far post and the left winger arrived to fire in first time.

The game once more reverted to a depressing struggle for the Blues to keep the score down, something they singularly failed to do. Three more goals arrived in the final half-hour, but this was no more than the hosts deserved. Indeed, had it not been for several fine saves from McGuinness, the margin of defeat could quite easily have reached double figures. As it was, the scoring stopped at seven and the visitors were left to travel back to London with their tails firmly between their legs.

Whilst the OHAFC have suffered larger defeats than this over the past twenty years, including a couple in Division One, it is doubtful any will have proved quite so dispiriting. To the senior members of the squad, those who have put in countless hours representing the OHAFC colours, this was a dark day and a very sad one. The squad must somehow pick themselves up off the floor for next week’s Dunn Cup first round tie at home to the Old Ardinians. Having conceded seven to them in the League, it would take a brave man to bet on the Blues ending their painful run of first round Cup exits in seven days’ time.